The way she looks at me makes my stomach drop. “I’m going to go.” She gently tugs her hand free. I study her, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the vibes between us are no longer vibing. She won’t even look at me, and there is…attitude?
Fuck.
“Okay,” I say slowly. “Let me go with you.”
“No, no. You stay and catch up.”
There’s an edge to her tone that wasn’t there before. Marley turns, moving quickly towards the front desk, which now has only two people in front of her. I turn to Carina and her friends, who are watching all this in unblinking silence.
“I’ll be right back.”
Carina calls after me, but I’m already off.
“Hey, are you okay? Look, I’m sorry.”
The glow Marley wore earlier has dimmed, replaced by something distant.
Yeah, I messed up big time.
“Listen, Marley, I know I fucked up. I wasn’t thinking-”
“Oh, I believe that part.” She exhales sharply. “Othello, I’m not here to be a pawn in whatever game you’re playing.”
“I’m not playing any games. At least not with you.”
“Please,” she sighs heavily. “It’s been a long night. I just want to go to sleep now.”
I nod, understanding. The entire day, one of the best I’ve had in a long time, is ruined because of my own need to prove something. What? I don’t even know. But whatever it was, it wasn’t worththis. Not the look on Marley’s face that has my insides cowering. It’s like someone,me, switched off the light of Marley’s hope and happiness.
Damn.
“Can I check on you later?”
“No.” The answer is clipped and harsh. “I’ll be fine.”
“Next,” a woman at the counter calls out. Marley steps up to the front desk, and this time I don’t stop her. I’m left standing there regretting every damn second of the last five minutes.
I hear the heels of Carina and her friends coming up behind me.
“What’s your girlfriend’s problem?” Danielle asks, nodding toward Marley.
“She’s just tired. It’s been a long day. For both of us.”
Danielle gives a sympathetic look as she understands, then says, “I know it took a lot for you to be here. I’m glad you showed up.”
Danielle is tall. Almost six feet with insanely wild curly hair that sits right above her shoulders. I catch a flicker of hope in her hazel eyes before she gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
“I wouldn’t have missed it,” I tell her. “I’m here for Mimi.”
The words leave my mouth like a disclaimer. Like a reminder to myself and everyone else that my being here has nothing to do with Gavin. That I’m here in good faith.
The women look at me with sympathetic smiles on their heavily made-up faces.
“It’s strange that she’s not here,” Carina admits sadly.
“Yeah, I know this was something she really wanted to witness before she passed.”
“Have you and Gavin had a chance to talk yet?” Danielle asks.
