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“Yeah, Marcus lives behind you. And he didn’t say a word to me about it, I just happened to see him by chance.” Hearing myself say that now, it’s such a minor thing and I feel almost silly, but Laney’ll think I’m crazy if I tell the full truth.
“Oh not that, you know what I’m talking about,” she says.
I look up at her and she flaps her arms like wings. “Wait, youknow?” I ask incredulously.
She laughs. “Of course I know. He’s lived here for so long now I was bound to find out.”
“And he knows you know?”
“Yes love, he knows. He’s a bit of a sad case, wouldn’t you say?”
Marcus finally opened up to me last night, telling about his parents, about how he has no one else.
“Yeah, I’d say so. But that doesn’t excuse outright lying to someone you say you love.”
Her face lights up. “A love bird in love. Well, isn’t that music to my ears. Maybe love really isn’t just for the birds.”
I shake my head and huff. “Laney, really. You don’t think this is a big deal?”
“It, without a doubt, is a big deal.” She pauses and points at me. “And he trusts you enough to share it withyou. He trustsyouenough to love. He trustsyouso much that you need to givehimthe benefit of the doubt. Don’t just drop him, my dear. He may deserve a good talking to,” she says, raising her hand and motioning behind the house. “But he doesn’t deserve to lose his mate.”
I sigh.
“Go home, get dressed for work and go about your day. I guarantee knowing that your beau is a bird shifter won’t affect your day in any negative way. After work—please don’t forget to check on Elvis—but after that, go home and relax. Think things through. My instincts tell me you’ll make the right decision.”
“And that is?”
“You already know,” she responds with an all-knowing old lady smile.
Shaking my head I wave bye and walk toward my house to start my day.
A couple hours after work, and a check in on Elvis later, I’m snuggled up on my couch watching The Office.
Marcus only texted twice today. Once on lunch, saying he hoped I had a good day. And another earlier this evening asking if I made it home safely.
I know Iwantto be with him. And I know I love him, we’ve established that. I’m just not sure of thehow. How would being with him work? He’s lied more than once now. And he’s literally a supernatural being.
What in the hell did I get myself into?
I’m a muddled mess with a lot to think about. But Iamhome safe, so I respond with a thumbs up to his message, making sure he doesn’t worry.
* * *
It’slunch time on Friday and I’m supposed to be on my way to the cabin. Marcus forwarded the booking email to me again this morning, making sure to say he’ll be there waiting on me. And that he loves me and hopes to see me soon.
Knuckles rap on my desk and I look up, it’s Dr. Harrison of all people. “Listen, I don’t know what’s going on with you, but go. You’ve been looking forward to this trip for a couple weeks now. If whatever is going on can’t be fixed that’s fine, but you have to at least try.”
He raps my desk again, winking and walking away.
Dr. Harrison is good at what he does. And he has that wise older man persona going on. It’s not the first time he’s tried to talk sense into me.
I have to at leasttryto make it work. I can’t deny the strong feelings I have for Marcus, even after dating him for only a month, I know we’re for each other.
After rushing home, I throw pajamas and some other essentials in my overnight bag then grab a cocktail dress. Slamming my front door, I put the bags in my car then head to check on Elvis, an early check is better than none. The dang cat of course pays me no mind, not even looking my way as I talk to him.
“I’m gonna go declare my love. Like people do in rom com movies. That always works, right?”
Still nothing from Elvis.
