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I attempt to console her. “Give him some time, Kristy. Oscar’s hands are full with an enraged mother and an injured kid.”
Marr puts her arm around her friend. “Zander is right, Kris. Everything will be all right.”
27
ZANDER
Zach’s periodic calls regarding a potential acquisition keep me occupied. I’m doing my damnedest to work with Marr’s computer and my cell phone, but I know it’s not enough. We need to close this deal by the end of the tomorrow, and I am unsuccessfully trying my luck at buying some more time with my girl.
I’ve been in Cherrywood since the party almost a month back, and I’ll soon have to return to St. Peppers. But tonight seems too early. After some more futile attempts that last for another hour, I give up.
There’s no point in delaying it.
I find Marr and Kristy in the living room, whispering and giggling.
“You ladies look up to no good,” I say, leaning against the doorframe.
“Oh, we are definitely up to no good,” Kristy replies, and I’m happy to see she is back to her buoyant self.
“As much as it hurts to do this now, I have to leave.” I take a few steps into the room.
Marr plods toward me. “But I thought you packed an overnight bag.”
“I did. But I need to return to St. Peppers.” I pull her closer. It’s been too long since I last had her in my arms, and I don’t know when it will be the next time.
“Oh.” She smooths her shirt, and I look down to her hands pulling at the hem.
“I hadn’t planned to leave so soon, but there’s a problem in an upcoming deal. I need to be there for a meeting.”
Kristy gently pats my arm before leaving the room, giving us some privacy.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can, couch girl,” I tell her, but I know it’s not going to be too soon. All my work is in St. Peppers. I’ve postponed and delegated a lot of things to my brothers lately, but they’re now swamped. I need to figure out a permanent solution to our situation.
“Okay,” Marr says, and it kills me to hear her timid voice. Over the weekend, she’s been so forthcoming, but at this moment, she is again my girlfriend from the past, shy and reserved.
When her head rests on my chest for the first time this evening, I feel peace again.
“I hate to see you sad. After such a wonderful weekend, I want to see you smiling, laughing, giggling.” I caress her face, stroking her silky cheeks with my thumb.
“I wish you could stay longer.”
My heart tugs at the sight of her somber expression and misty eyes.
“I wish that too.” I crush her against me. No one has cried for me before and a ton of emotions course through me. “I love you, Marr.” I fear my time with her wasn’t enough to convince her of the depths of my love. But will it ever be?
“I love you too, Zander. Remember, you’re the only man I’ve ever said those words to.” The seriousness in her tone makes me halt. I’m not only Marr’s first boyfriend, but really, the first man in her life. “Don’t forget this weekend. I know you don’t have a good memory like me.”
Her words, a lovely mix of innocence and sincerity, make me smile. “Believe me, I’m going to have a hard time forgetting anything, courtesy of the various bite marks you have placed all over my body. I don’t think I can work out without a T-shirt for a week.”
Her beautiful face flushes with embarrassment, most likely remembering all those moments. “Don’t distract me.” Her words come out breathy as she sways in my arms.
“I’m not distracting you. In fact, I’m bringing to your attention a matter of great urgency. You might want to give me a proper farewell, something girlfriend-y.”
“Girlfriend-y? What’s that?” Her lips curl into a genuine smile.
Before she can ask more, I drag her into her bedroom and lock the door behind us.
“We need to be quick, babe. My driver is picking up my stuff from the hotel now. He’ll be here in thirty minutes.”
