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“So Markus, what are you going to do with all your free time now that the lawsuit is settled?”
Markus put on his all-business look. “Oh, I have a few other clients besides you two hoodlums. In fact, I’m gonna need to fly to New York for a few days mid-week. A judge out there’s gotten himself in a bit of hot water and seems to think I’m the man to get him out.” Turning to Brianna he continued. “I got the call on Friday and was going to talk to you about it over the weekend. Now it’s more important than ever you come with me. I don’t want us apart, not even for a few days, sweetheart.”
Brianna’s heart swelled at the look of love on her husband’s face. “Honey, I’d really love to go, but I need to be here for the salon. I’m sure Tiffany and Lukus are gonna want to spend a lot of time together this week, too, and one of us needs to be here to open and close.”
Before Markus could reply, Lukus surprised them all. “It’s okay, Brianna. I think it’s actually a good idea for you to go with Markus. Tiffany and I were just talking about how fast things are moving. I think she could use a few days to get her head wrapped around everything that’s happened this weekend before we see each other again. I was going to suggest we get together next weekend anyway, so you should go with Markus to New York.”
Brianna could see the disappointment on her best friend’s face as she took in his words. She would have kicked Lukus under the table if the island cabinets weren’t between them.
Doesn’t he know how fragile Tiff is going to be feeling after this weekend? Damn him.
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, Lukus. You and Tiff have a lot to learn about each other. I think you should spend as much time together this week as possible.” Bri tried to steer him in a different direction.
“That’s enough. I know what I’m doing, Brianna.”
She detected his irritation, but she was not sure it was directed at her this time as she watched Tiffany and Lukus exchange a knowing look.
“I’ll call Tiffany later in the week and we can see each other when you two get back into town,” Lukus said.
Markus jumped in. “We’ll be back by Thursday night or Friday at the latest. Right now, I think we should get cleaning up so we can head home.”
Everyone else may have missed it, but Bri caught the panicked look in Tiffany’s eyes. The friends shared a moment of silent communication that told Brianna how afraid Tiffany was that this weekend was just a one-night stand for Lukus and that he was going to forget about her the second she drove away. Bri shot her a supportive smile meant to reassure her that Lukus wasn’t that cruel.
Lukus had obviously caught the look on Tiffany’s face too because he’d moved behind her, hugging her from behind, leaning in close to whisper something that made her blush bright red before leaning in to kiss her behind her ear intimately.
All too quickly the kitchen was cleaned up and Markus was pushing to get on the road. Brianna was anxious to get home to spend more time with her husband, but she was torn. She knew each minute that brought them closer to leaving was also one minute closer to when Tiffany would need to walk away from Lukus, even if only for a few days.
Tiff had already changed back into her dress from the day before. Brianna managed to get a few minutes alone with Lukus while everyone else said their good-byes. He took her hands in his as they looked into each other’s eyes. She was quickly overwhelmed with gratitude for this remarkable man. Unexpected tears clouded her vision as Lukus wrapped her in his arms, pulling her close against his muscular chest. She hugged him tightly as the tears began to fall in earnest.
“Shhhh. There’s no need for tears, sweetheart.”
“Yes, there is. I can’t thank you enough, Lukus, for all you’ve done for Markus and me this weekend. I know how lucky I am to be going home with my husband today. Things could have turned out so very differently.”
“I’m not sure I’d call it luck. You’re one stubborn woman. Don’t forget all you went through to avoid signing the damn divorce papers. I sure as hell hope you’ve learned your lesson.” She couldn’t see his eyes, but she could hear the warning in his voice and knew he was not joking.
“Without a doubt, Sir.” They pulled out of their hug in time for Bri to see the satisfied smile on Lukus’s face at her response.
“You’d better be a good girl. You know Markus is a charter member of the club. He’s welcome back any time he has need of our services.” The twinkle in Lukus’s eye was the only thing keeping Brianna’s heart rate from skyrocketing. He may have been telling the truth, but she also knew he was teasing.
“Hopefully, next time we come, it’ll just be for a fun visit.”
Lukus’s smile turned naughty before pulling her into his embrace one more time. “You’re welcome to come for a fun visit anytime. In fact, I can’t wait to see what your definition of fun is, Bri.”
His warm chuckle warmed her heart as he pulled back to watch her reaction.
Brianna couldn’t resist. “Well, I was hoping to get a front row seat to watch Tiffany beat you at basketball. I heard she did a pretty good job of that once already.”
The look on his face was priceless. Bri worried she pushed him too far, but he eventually broke into a broad smile. “She really is fucking amazing, isn’t she?”
She caught him glancing over at Tiff, with an unbridled look of passion. It was the same look she found on her husband’s face as he stared at her from across the room.
Never in her wildest dreams could Brianna have predicted how things would turn out this weekend when she woke up on Friday morning. She had always known she was lucky, but now she knew she got to have it all.
* * *
Lukus
Aknot formed in his chest as Lukus saw Derek driving down the alley with Tiffany’s car. He knew how irrational his reaction was, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling he was about to let something special come to an end. Of course, he knew they’d see each other again and they’d talk, but Lukus was suddenly struck by a fear that there’d been a powerful universal force at work this weekend. The stars had aligned to bring Brianna and Markus together, better and stronger than they had been before. A miraculous force had to be at work to turn Derek and Rachel into parents, setting their lives on a new and exciting course.
