Page 64 of Wicked Flirt
“You can see why I thought for certain marriage was in your future. Lexi, I know he longs for that forever love, and I’ve decided you’re it.”
“Mom, please. Let me talk to Lexi.”
“Who’s stopping you?”
“Marcus?” Lexi asked in a strained voice.
He swallowed over the lump in his throat. “Lex, you’re everything to me too. I agree with everything you just said.” He wanted to spill his guts too, but it was tough with his mom still on the phone.
“That settles it,” his mom said cheerfully. “I knew she was your future bride.”
“I like that idea,” Lexi said, sounding happy now.
Pure joy rushed through him. He cleared his throat loudly. “Excuse me, ladies, do I get a say in this?”
“No,” they said in unison.
His lips twitched. They were a united front in their love for him. Maybe he was enough. Otherwise, why would his mom care so much about getting him back with Lexi, and why would Lexi care so much to go the embarrassing route of bringing his mom into the conversation?
“I love you, Marcus,” his mom said. “Now come get your future bride.”
Lexi spoke up. “Your future bride will come to you. Where are you?”
“I’m at work.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Now hold on,” his mom said. “Marcus, don’t you have something you’d like to tell Lexi back?”
He stifled a laugh. “Mom, I’m hanging up now.”
“Rhymes with dove,” his mom offered, in case he was that dense.
Lexi laughed. “Words don’t mean much to him. He’s all about action.”
His mom huffed. “Marcus Christian Shepard, get with the program!”
Geez, the full-name treatment. “I love you both,” he murmured and hung up.
He left his office with a spring in his step. And he couldn’t stop smiling.
~ ~ ~
Lexi took one step into The Burrow and was immediately accosted by Ellie. “I’m so sorry if I screwed things up! I feel terrible. I got carried away, and I guess I thought, wrongly, that Marcus had feelings for me.”
Lexi studied her for a moment; her sincerity was clear, but still. “The thing is, Ellie, you knew we were together. I don’t see how it ever should’ve crossed your mind that it was a good idea to kiss another woman’s boyfriend.”
“I’d been drinking,” she whispered. “Please don’t tell him. I know I’m not supposed to be drinking when I’m at work. But…I was jealous and it was wrong. I really am sorry.”
“We’re together now in a committed relationship. It’s serious. Is that going to be a problem for you?”
“He committed?” Ellie whispered. “When? How? Did he propose?”
“Does it matter?”
Ellie bit her lip, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. “I’m going on break.” She whirled, dashing toward the kitchen. Marcus appeared through the employees-only door, and Ellie veered around him without a word.
Lexi’s eyes locked on Marcus striding toward her, a huge smile spreading on his face the closer he got. Her heart kicked up speed, warmth radiating through her, all of her lit up with pure happiness and love, so much love. She’d gotten through to him and he was coming back to her. He loved her.
