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An awkward silence stretched between us. I looked down at his white t-shirt. Then, slowly, as if I was watching someone else's limb, my hand came up and touched the soft fabric over hischest.
"You know," I said, "it's kind of weird to see you in something so...casual."
"Yeah?" He smirked, tilting his headback.
The hollow of his throat was just above the V-neck and I found myself staring at it, wanting to put my lips there. I hadn't told Texas what I realized in the bathroom and I wasn't sure I wanted to. If, in the end, they wanted to make me choose—if I had to—then it wouldn't be right, it wouldn't be fair, to tell them I loved them now. In fact, it might hurt more when I inevitably wouldn'tchoose.
"Sunshine." I bit my lip, the corners of my mouth lifting in a half-hearted attempt to smile at the ridiculous nickname. I was growing so attached to these guys and their casual pet names and their touches and their words and their bodies sleeping next to mine, making me feel wanted and safe and…loved. I looked up and met Marv's gaze. "I'm not gonna say I like what you did with Bell," he admitted, "but I'm not gonna say that you had no right to doit."
I clenched my teeth to keep from saying anything as I waited for him to continue. Even though Marv had brought me back here after he overheard the conversation I had with Lizzie and we had taken a nap like nothing was wrong, I knew it was only a matter of time before we talked about it again. I had to be patient, I remindedmyself.
"You didn't exactly know what was going on," Marv continued. "I mean, it's not like we really did either. We—I—damn, it's so fucking hard to talk about this. I'm sorry. I'm probably not making any sense. But what I'm just trying to say is that I'm not mad at you. And I don't think Knix or Texas would be if they kneweither."
My eyes widened. "You mean you didn't tellthem?"
He sighed, but his lips quirked up slightly. "When would I have had time, Sunshine? Between finding out and God, I needed that fucking nap today because I know that sharing a bed with Texas is gonna suck ass, and then Caruso Number Two showing up, well, it hasn't exactly been a slow day in the office, you know what Imean?"
"Yeah, you're right. I justassumed..."
"We do tell each other everything, Harlow. I am going to tell them. Bellamy probably already has and he's just approaching us one on one, he's the type to dothat."
"I'm glad you're not mad," Isaid.
"You make me crazy," Marv replied and when I peeked back up at him, his lips had turned up into a full smile. He was so incredibly handsome when he smiled that he often took my breath away. "But I think that's what you're supposed todo."
"I'm supposed to make you crazy?" I asked,skeptical.
He laughed before tilting his head down. The top of his forehead brushed mine and I could smell the coffee on his breath. Damn. He’d had another cup. There was no way he'd be getting any sleep tonight. It really was a good thing we took thatnap.
"You're a special girl, Harlow, and only a special girl like you could make me crazy like this," hesaid.
"Is it a good kind of crazy at least?" Iasked.
He laughed again, but this time it was quieter, more subdued, more intimate. "Yeah," he said. "It's the best kind ofcrazy."
I wasn't surprised by the kiss. Not in the least. It seemed like the perfect moment, the perfect opportunity. And this time, when I went into the kiss, I went into it knowing how I truly felt. I knew how special he was to me. Even though Marv could make me want to bang my head against the wall. Even though he was sometimes overprotective and a complete and utter jerk when it came to Grayson, he was still myMarv.
When he kissed me, I closed my eyes and let my hands automatically reach for him. My fingers touched the nape of his neck, feeling the light strands of hair as he slanted his mouth over mine. Our noses bumped playfully and when I pulled back I couldn't help butlaugh.
"If it's any consolation," I said, "you make me crazytoo."
He laughed. "I'm glad I'm not alonethen."
The front door opened again before I could say anything more and Marv and I broke apart, our eyes going to the porch. Bellamy raised a hand and even from the end of the driveway, I could tell he was a littleoff.
"Hey," he called out, descending the steps, "I didn't mean to interrupt. I just, um...Harlow, do you mind if I talk to you real quick before youleave?"
Marv and I exchanged glances. "Yeah," I replied. "Now seems as good a time as any." Marv chuckled and kicked the base of the mailbox pole with his foot as he passed by, heading back towards theporch.
Bellamy stopped Marv and leaned over to speak to him. Whatever was said, I couldn't hear, but Marv peeked back over his shoulder at me before he nodded his head. Ahh, I realized Marv was right. Bellamy was likely going to tell him about what had happened before. Marv and Bellamy finished their quick chat and Bellamy came down the driveway as Marv headed up. Once the front door was closed, Bellamy stopped in front of me, rocking back on his heels as he shoved his hands into his frontpockets.
"Hey."
"Hey yourself," I said. "So, what'd you wanna talkabout?"
Bellamy grimaced as if he wasn't sure how to say it. "I just wanted you to know that I'm gonna tell the guys about what happened betweenus."
I nodded, proud that I had guessed correctly. "Marv knows," Isaid.
