Page 55 of Our Broken Pieces
“I just thought he would be completely methodical with this entire scheme. The fact that he’s putting in a little extra work on this is cute.”
“Maybe you’re cutting through that grumpy exterior he has.” Audrey smiles.
“He’s not that grumpy, you guys. Yeah, he’s quiet and straightforward, but he’s just a big softie inside.”
“He’s only a softie for you and Millie.” Melonie leans back in her chair as our food is delivered.
“No, he’s not. He would do anything for you two and your men, and you know that.”
Audrey picks up a piece of bacon. “He’s certainly there for all of us, but he would burn the world down for Millie, and I can’t imagine him planning a surprise proposal for anyone beside you, G.”
I poke at my French toast. “He’s just going through with a plan. It’s not that serious.”
Melonie cuts into her eggs. “Whatever he does for the proposal, make sure you stick to your plan, G.”
“I will, don’t worry.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Marcus
Istuff my laptop charger in my bag for our weekend at the cabin and zip it up as Gigi walks into the kitchen. This woman has a piece of rolling luggage, a tote bag, and a backpack for just a weekend trip.
“We’re only going away for two and a half days, G.”
She rolls her eyes. “I need all this, okay? I have regular clothes, outdoor clothes, all the stuff for my hair. At least I packed my Kindle and not physical books!”
I shake my head as I take her bags from her. “Grab my laptop bag. I’ll take these to the truck.”
“Thanks, prince. I’ll be out in a minute. I’m just going to say goodbye to Ethel.”
I get the bags in the truck, and Gigi still isn’t out of the house. I walk back inside to see her on the couch with the cat.
“G, we need to get on the road.”
“I know. She’s just being really snuggly right now. She knows I’m going away.”
“She’s a cat, she’ll be fine. Melonie has a code to come check on her.”
“She’s not just a cat, prince. She’s part of our family.”
“Part of the family that scratches people,” I mumble under my breath.
She must not have heard me, because she extends the cat to me. “Say goodbye to Marcus, Ethel.”
The cat’s eyes are wide, and I see its claws on its outstretched paws. I reach out and apprehensively pat its head. “Bye, Ethel. Don’t destroy the furniture. Good enough?”
She rolls her eyes. “I guess that will do.” She kisses the animal and places it on the couch. “Alright, let’s hit the road.”
We made good time getting to my family’s property in Lee, about two hours from Boston. It’s really not a simple house at all, more like a 3,400 square foot restored 19th century home. It’s set back in a clearing, surrounded by large, old trees, with a four-car garage and a large flower garden to the side of the house. Relief washes over me when I see my brother’s BMW parked beside my mother’s Mercedes.
We pull into the driveway and Gigi’s eyes go wide as she looks out the window. “Prince, this isn’t a house, this is a mansion.”
“A mansion would be bigger than this, princess.”
I put the truck in park and hop out. I go to Gigi’s door to open it and help her down. My mom comes out the front door, waving at us.
“Marcus! Gigi! You made it!”
