Page 48 of Wicked Flirt
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Chapter Twelve
So she’d spent the weekend with Marcus. He’d invited her to stay and then he’d made it easy for her, taking her shopping for a change of clothes and toiletries so she could feel comfortable at his home, giving her his laptop to finalize the event details. The S trifecta that was Marcus Shepard—smart, sexy, sweet—on full display. Swoo-oo-ny sigh. He’d driven her home on Sunday. They’d checked in on his mom, who was in good spirits, and then he’d stayed at Lexi’s place.
Being with Marcus was easy. They just fit. She respected him. And she didn’t give respect to a man easily. He was honest, open, and responsible. A man she could depend on. Probably the first time she’d met a dependable man in her entire life. His bad rep and the rumors about him just didn’t fit with the man she knew. Most importantly, he wasn’t a cheater. Yes, he’d been seeing multiple women at one time, but that was a reaction to his failed marriage, and he’d been honest with those women that it wasn’t exclusive. He’d changed, and now he was with her. Exclusive.
He’d left her place early on Tuesday morning for a meeting in the city about the coffee shop that was opening in the space next to his bar. She spent the time on all the last-minute details for the Mardi Gras event happening tonight. She planned to drive into the city with the decorations. She’d tackle the setup and then she’d check in with the kitchen and the bar. The menu looked awesome—gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp with grits, and miniature king cakes. She’d found a bakery in the city to make the cakes and had them add a cherry in the middle of several of them. The person who found a cherry would win beads and a gift card to The Burrow. She was excited and nervous and hopeful all at the same time. Kind of the same way she felt about Marcus.
She stepped into The Burrow late Tuesday afternoon with three boxes of decorations that nearly obscured her view. She set them on the bar and looked around. The place was open, but nearly empty since it was early. Only one guy sat at the bar.
Marcus appeared through the employees-only door. “Lex, you should’ve texted me. I would’ve helped you carry stuff.”
She couldn’t help her smile. He actually took offense if she didn’t let him help do stuff. Not only that, he made the bed each morning, his and hers, making sure there were no wrinkles in the blankets and fluffing the pillows. He was a manly man in touch with his feelings and quite domesticated—a truly extraordinary specimen.
She gestured toward the street. “There’s more in the car. All the stuff for the activity stations and the prizes. I parked in the lot at the seaport.”
“Key.” He wiggled his fingers for her car key as he walked over to her, all masculine competence. So frigging sexy. “I’ll move your car closer and bring the stuff in.”
She pulled the key from her purse and handed it over. “Thank you.”
He leaned down, smiling, and kissed her. “You can thank me later in your special way.”
She grinned. “If you’re lucky.”
He laughed and headed out the door, saying on his way out, “I already got lucky finding you.”
She sucked in air. Sometimes he just said thesethings, these amazing things that justslayedher. He pushed open the door, turned, and winked at her.
She ran to him, grabbed his shoulders, and went up on tiptoe to kiss him. He met her halfway. “I’m lucky too,” she whispered. “Go, just go.” She shoved at his chest before he could see the tears in her eyes.
He was immovable. “Lexi, baby,” he crooned, smiling with a soft look in his eyes.
She turned her head away, blinking back tears. He cupped her cheek for a moment and left, giving her some space.
She walked back inside, her hand on her pounding heart. She loved him so much it was crazy, like jittery happy, part scared, part thrilled. Her cheating ex had been the first time she’d had a serious relationship. All the other guys before him she’d been too scared to stick around long enough for something that might get serious. What she’d felt for her ex was nothing like this. And she thought maybe Marcus had deep feelings for her too.
She rubbed her forehead, belatedly wishing she’d invited her friends tonight, especially Sabrina. Her counselor friend could calm her and reassure her it would all be okay. She was sort of a love specialist. She pulled out her phone and typed a message to Sabrina:I’m in love with Marcus.She broke out in a sweat and deleted it. Just seeing the words made her adrenaline spike.
Focus. Fat Tuesday.Mardi Gras. Her brain blanked on her, all the details she needed to remember suddenly gone.Overload, overload, overload.
The event had to go off perfectly, and she was falling apart. She’d never done a solo event before, and the pressure to succeed combined with her roller-coaster emotions had her in a near panic. She needed Hailey, the ultimate planner, to help her through. Hailey had been working solo for years.
She sent a quick distress signal to Hailey.I’ve got two hours until the Mardi Gras event and I’m freaking out!
Hailey replied a moment later.Do you want me to drive out there and help? I could be there by six thirty.
Lexi’s throat tightened. Hailey was such a good friend. And Hailey must be so busy with all her wedding planning. How did she manage to keep her cool with so many weddings and all those brides she had to shepherd through an emotional time?
Lexi texted back:That’s okay.I’m sure you’re busy.
I just finished up with a client.
Never mind. I got it. Thanks anyway.
Sure?
I’m in love with Marcus.DELETE.She took a deep breath in and out, and then she texted back:Yeah, all good. Momentary freak-out. Thanks for being there.
