I made an effort to smile. “Oh, you know, just tired.” I held my cup up and then noticed he was empty-handed. “Did you need to grab something to drink? I’m leaving in a few minutes. You can have my booth if you want.”
Marcus shook his head. “That’s okay. I was just walking by and saw you through the window and thought I’d pop in and say hi.” He ran a hand through his hair and propped an elbow on the windowsill, leaning at an odd angle that made it seem like he was aiming for nonchalant sexiness, but not quite nailing the look. “I’m surprised you’re here without your bodyguard.”
I forced a laugh. “My bodyguard?”
“Yeah, Mr. Grabby Hands.”
“Are you talking about Phoenix?” I knew he was. The way he was talking, joking but with an underlying insulting tone, didn’t sit well with me, regardless of where things stood with Phoenix and me right now.
Marcus smirked but didn’t answer the question, sitting back up like a non-awkward human and changing the topic instead. “So, it looks like I’ll be able to come to Raleigh next month. I want to start looking at the different areas, see where I want to move. You said you’re in North Raleigh, right? And you like it?”
I started peeling the order sticker off my now-empty cup. “Yup. We’re in a great location, not far from Six Forks Road. The property and buildings are gorgeous. Neighbors are great. Well, most of them.” The smile he gave me settled my nerves a bit. It seemed genuine. Perhaps I’d misunderstood the ill intent behind his earlier words.
“Sounds pretty great. You still up for being my tour guide next month?”
“Absolutely. I’m a bit biased because our location is amazing, but really, there are a lot of decent options around, depending on your budget. We can check out however many you want.”
“Excellent. Maybe we can grab some beers while we’re at it.”
“Um, yeah. Sure.” There were several breweries and bars in Raleigh that were absolute musts for beer lovers—including the one I worked at—so of course he’d want to grab some beers while he was visiting.
Marcus pulled out his phone and began tapping away at it. I glanced out the window and zoned out, watching pedestrians stroll past the large glass window. Across the street, I could see The Parlor, not yet open for the day, and a wave of sadness rolled through me. I hadn’t had a chance to get that banana ice cream with Phoenix, and probably never would. I was still angry at the shadiness of what happened yesterday, but was starting to realize that once again I’d handled it very poorly. I kept messing things up between us.
Maybe we could try the whole friend thing again. That seemed to be the territory where we worked best. But the thought of never being intimate with Phoenix again sucked the remaining energy from my body. It was depressing.
The sound of a notification from Marcus’s phone brought my attention back to our table. I exhaled slowly and glanced at my watch. Not that I was against any deadlines, but I needed to be leaving soon. I didn’t want to sit here all day. There was a giant, soft couch at home just waiting for me to plop onto it and not move for a week. I tapped on the table, and Marcus glanced up from his phone.
“I’m going to head out now.” I slid out from the booth and gathered my trash. “It was good to see you again. Sorry if I seem out of it right now. I’m tired and have a long drive ahead of me.”
“You’re going home early?” Marcus asked, holding the coffee shop door open for me after I tossed my trash in the garbage can.
When I’d called Marcus yesterday to apologize for any rude behavior he’d been subjected to, I’d left it at that and then talked about hiking with him. I hadn’t mentioned the argument Phoenix and I had that had led up to the phone call.
“Yeah. I’ve, um, got some shifts at the bar I need to pick up. Someone had some sort of emergency.” A complete lie, but whatever. It really wasn’t any of his business why I was leaving early.
Marcus followed me toward Brooklynn’s car. We stood just outside the driver’s-side door, Marcus fumbling with his own keys, and me wondering why he suddenly seemed so nervous.
“I was hoping for the chance to see more of you over the rest of your trip. Looks like that won’t be happening now,” Marcus said.
“Sorry. We can catch up more next month.” I smiled at him and touched the door handle to unlock it. My luggage was already stowed away in the trunk, and I was fed, fully caffeinated, and ready to go.
Marcus leaned in for what I assumed was a hug, but instead, as he wrapped his arms around me, he planted his lips on mine. I froze for a brief moment in shock, but his tongue seeking entrance into my mouth jolted me into action. I shoved him away, swiping at my lips.
His whole countenance changed. “Why the hell did you push me?” His tone betrayed his surprise, and his eyes held a spark of disbelief.
Was this guy serious? “I’m sorry,” I sputtered, “but where I’m from, people don’t go around shoving their tongues down the throats of casual acquaintances.”
The sun shone brightly overhead, reflecting off Brooklynn’s car. It was a gorgeous morning, the weather couldn’t be moreperfect, but it felt like a heavy, dark cloud hung over my head. I was an idiot for not seeing through to Marcus’s true intentions before now. Brooklynn and Phoenix had. But I walked around with rose-colored glasses on too often, sometimes to my detriment. Marcus didn’t even know that Phoenix and I weren’t together, and he still kissed me!
Marcus crossed his arms and leaned down into me. I backed into the door. “You gave me all the signs, Jonas,” he said, an accusing, judgmental tone in his voice.
My eyes widened. “I did not!”
He counted on his fingers. “You flirted with me yesterday morning?—”
“I did no such thing,” I interjected.
He continued without acknowledging my words. “You shared a personal struggle with me and asked for my help?—”
