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“I just didn’t want to take you away from your guest,” I replied, with a cold smile.
His eyes widened as my barb hit home.
“You mean… Ruby?”
“Yes. She’s very pretty,” I couldn’t resist saying.
“Very,” he agreed. “And she’s sweet, too.”
“Good. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening,” I bit out as I snapped Rose’s car seat into place and then went around to the other side.
Marcus followed me and held my door. I tried to pull it shut, but he wouldn’t let go.
“Do you really mean that?” he asked coldly.
“Why not?” I asked, just as coldly.
He glared at me for a moment and then shook his head before he slammed my door shut. Asshole, I fumed.
When we got home, I almost forgot the bag Maddie had given me. The chauffeur brought it in for me along with my bags. I set Rose down in her playpen and went to rummage in the bag. There were two boxes. The smaller one contained some mac and cheese, and chicken nuggets, while the bigger one held a burger and sweet potato fries - the first meal Marcus had ever cooked for me.
I set it down carefully on the kitchen counter before I shut myself in my bedroom and cried until I ran out of tears. Then, I washed my face carefully and went out to feed my daughter. I put the burger and fries in the refrigerator because I couldn’t even look at them without bursting into fresh tears.
My phone buzzed as I was putting Rose to bed.
It was Marcus.
Did you eat your burger?
I left him on read.
The next couple of days passed in a blur of pole dancing classes. True to her word, Tia had referred her new friends to me, and I conducted group lessons at a studio near my house. Tia nagged me about doing art lessons at the library but I was wary of running into Ruby and evaded the topic as skilfully as I could.
We arranged a playdate for Rosie and Maddie to see the winter lights at Central Park, but when I turned into the Park with Rose in her stroller, I was surprised to see Marcus waiting with Maddie.
“Where’s Tia?” I asked abruptly.
He raised an eyebrow at my rudeness.
“Hello to you too, Celine,” he said pointedly.
I just stared at him coldly, and he sighed.
“I didn’t want Tia to meet you in public, just in case Monani was still following you. If you’re not happy about this, I’ll just take Maddie home.”
I was aware I was being churlish, but I couldn’t help it. I hated being around Marcus almost as much as I missed being around him. I missed him like he was a vital part of me, and I hated the fact that he had moved on so soon.
Maddie came running up to us and I forced a smile as she bent to say hi to Rosie.
“I’m okay with it if you are,” I said softly, not meeting his eyes.
“Shall we go see the lights, Uncle Marcus?” asked Maddie.
“Sure, honey. Lead on,” he replied.
Maddie skipped ahead of us, occasionally turning to talk to Rosie, who babbled back at her loudly.
We walked through the multicolored and brightly lit arches, stopping to take pictures near the various installations. Rosie was enthralled by all the lights and shapes she saw there.
