Page 97 of Marcus: Sins of the Father

“Sounds perfect.”

“I’m so proud of you.” He pulls me in for one more tight squeeze, then brushes his soft lips against mine again. His lips are one of my favorite parts. I could spend hours with those lips. I have spent hours with those lips. I moan against them.

His eyes flare at the sound. “Damn, girl. You make me want you so bad.”

“Hold that thought for tonight.”

“Yeah, we got my baby to celebrate tonight. Go call the girls.” He walks backward toward the clubhouse. “I’ll call you soon.”

I nod and climb into my truck. Strapping on my seatbelt, I tell my phone to call Izzy. She may not be able to swing a trip out here on such short notice, but I hope she can. I’d love for her to meet Harley and Melissa. I know they’d all hit it off like they grew up together.

***

A few hours later, we walk into Jack’s Bar & Grill. Marcus has his hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the heavy wooden doors. The lights are dimmed, and it takes a second for my eyes to adjust to the sudden change from the bright California sun. I scan the place, and see a bar area off to the right where Harley and Melissa are already seated at a high-top table. It looks like they pushed a few of them together to make room for our little party. Izzy’s on her way too, but since she had so much farther to drive, she’s not here yet.

Harley looks up from a water she sips on. “Congratulations Brandy!”

Melissa turns to see us strolling over and a wide smile breaks across her face, making her even more beautiful. “So happy for you!”

We take the empty stools.

“Is anyone else coming?” Melissa asks Marcus. She’s trying to play it cool, but we all know she’s asking if Billy is coming.

“Nah, they got stuck at the club.”

Disappointment flashes across her face before she quickly hides it behind a smile. “Guess you’re one lucky man to be surrounded by such beautiful women.”

“That I am,” Marcus agrees.

A curvy little redhead bounces her way to the table with a smile. “What can I get you to drink?”

Marcus orders a margarita pitcher they have on special and the girls order cokes, not actually being of age yet. Though, if I know these two—and I feel like I’m really starting to—I’m sure they plan to snag some sips through the night.

It’s not too long into our rowdy laughter and fun that Izzy arrives. “Well, I was going to say the fun just arrived, but it looks like you beat me to the punch.”

“How are you doing, Izzy?” Marcus stands and drags another chair over for her.

“What a gentleman. You sure you don’t want scumbag back?” she teases me. “Because I sure could use a man with manners in my life.”

I chuckle. “What about your newest man? Didn’t you go on a date just the other day?”

“Yeah, well, he only wanted to talk about how much money he has. I need someone with a little more character… like any at all. He was the dullest thing since, since…” She scrunches her lips to the side and looks up like she’s thinking of the blandest food she can.

“Rice cakes?” Harley fills in the empty space.

“Yes! Yes, that right there.” Izzy points at Harley. “Rice cakes.”

“I’m sure I could find you someone with a little more spice.” Marcus lifts his cup to his smiling lips.

“Absolutely not.” Melissa looks appalled.

Izzy seems to perk up and then deflate in the span of the few seconds of their exchange. I was hoping Melissa and Harley would love Izzy as much as I do, but with that last comment, I can’t help but wonder if they are refusing to include her.

“Why the hell not?” Marcus quirks his head to the side at her.

“Because you’d try to set her up with someone like Little Jimmy at the pub.”

“What’s wrong with Little Jimmy?” Marcus asks as if he’s insulted, but the laughter he’s holding back seems to say otherwise.

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