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Aria huffs and storms off toward the stairs.
I stand still, not knowing what to do or say.
Marc walks right up to me, grabbing the backs of my arms. His eyes are soft and pleading as he searches mine. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think she would mind.”
“It’s okay. It’s probably a shock.” I try to tell myself it’s all fine, even though I feel anything but.
“Yeah, that would make sense.” His shoulders lower and he looks down at the floor, and I know it’s time for me to leave.
“Well, I should go…”
When he looks back up at me, it’s with such an empty stare that it causes the backs of my eyes to sting. “Yeah, I’m sorry, but I think it’s best.” His tone is flat, not holding his usual sexy rasp, making me feel even worse. I hate that I’m causing both Aria and him pain.
I put a smile on and push away my hurt. All with the hope that him seeing me with a smile will help him not feel sorry for me. “I’m fine. I think it will be better if you go talk to her. You can make it up to me next time.”
He strokes my face and runs his thumb over my lips, whispering, “Thank you.”
As I grab my bag, he says, “I’ll call the car.”
I nod, not bothering to argue this time.
I’m shaking like a leaf, the threatening tears ready to come thick and fast as soon as I open that dam. I manage to keep myself together, trying to take deep calm breaths. When I get home, the first thing I do is call Ava.
She whistles as soon as she picks up. “I can assume the date went well, if you’re calling me this late the next morning,” she says with excitement.
I roll my head to ease the tension that’s now built up in the back of my neck. Blowing out a breath, I make my way to the kitchen to get the bottle of wine out. Hopefully, a glass of wine will help. “Not exactly. It was until thirty minutes ago.”
“Why, what happened?”
Opening the fridge, I spot a bottle, grabbing it and setting it on the counter as I answer. “Date and post-date were perfect. But this morning the doorbell rang, and his daughter turned up. And she wasn’t happy to find me there.”
She shrieks. “Fuck off. Why the change of tune?”
I turn to my cupboard and reach down to grab a glass. “No idea. He looked so gutted. So I told him I’d go and that he needed to talk to her.”
I balance the phone between my shoulder and ear, opening the white wine and pouring a good helping into the glass.
“Good idea. You don’t want to get in the middle of that,” she mumbles.
“No, and I don’t want her to hate me.”
“Hmm, it won’t last between you two if she does.”
That’s the fear that’s been circulating in my head since I left his house. What will happen to me and Marc if she doesn’t approve?
I guess soon I’ll find out.
I lower down onto the couch and take a sip of the sweet and refreshing Moscato.
“Exactly. She stormed off into her room and you should have seen his face. It killed me. It was sad and broken.” My heart is in my throat as I think about it again. I just want to help him, but this is as much as I can do right now. Give them space to talk, though, it just doesn’t feel like enough.
“Why is he so cute? It makes me want to puke.” She chokes and I frown, worried she may actually vomit.
“You’re pregnant; isn’t that the reason you want to puke?”
She hums. “Oh, yeah. You’re probably right.”
A text pings, and I see it’s his name. He’s probably just checking up on me, so I’ll reply after I talk to Ava.
