Chapter 22

Marcus

"Something weird is happening," Marcus said, walking with Erica around the Christmas market. "Suddenly Sophie is all over me like a rash, and acting as though she just swallowed the manual on how to be the perfect wife."

"Her and Alex both, then," she replied, sipping her mulled wine.

Man, it was nice to be around her again.

With everything ready for the relaunch in the New Year, there hadn't been many excuses to meet up. Especially with the final stage of their plan put in place.

As far as Alex and Sophie were concerned, whatever was going on between them was now over. Although they still had the business, of course, they had cooled off on the more intense parts of their relationship.

Outwardly, at least.

In reality, whatever it was he shared with Erica was stronger than ever. They still spoke whenever they could and when she had called and asked to spend the day with him, he'd jumped at the chance.

"They're buying the ruse then," she said, tucking her hair back under her hat. Looking like she had stepped straight out of the twenties with her matching faux fur coat and bucket hat, she was the epitome of beauty and elegance.

And he really wanted to fucking kiss her.

It was something he had been fighting for weeks now. Longer, if he was honest with himself. But since the night of Alex and Sophie's death-wish fuck down the motorway, the feeling had never been so strong.

He knew she felt it, too. They had been so close, and it would have been so easy.

But neither of them would cross that line. Not while they were still married. It didn't matter that those marriages were over in their minds. Cheating is cheating.

"I'd say so," he agreed, looking towards a stall in front of them.

They had walked up and down these stalls countless times so far and he couldn't name one item being sold.

Mulled wine aside.

The woman at his side commanded his entire attention, and nothing else around him mattered.

"Do you want to go on the big wheel?" He asked, gesturing in its direction.

She nodded, finishing her drink and tossing her cup in a nearby bin. He followed suit, knocking back the rest of his wine before leading her to join the queue, resting his hand over hers.

"Are you all prepared for Christmas day, then?" She asked, smiling up at him. It occurred to him that anyone looking their way could mistake them for another couple in love. The thought made his stomach flip.

It wasn't the worst feeling in the world.

"I think so," he said. "I've got divorce papers drawn up and I've found the biggest box to wrap them in. She's going to think I've gone all out."

"You evil, evil man," she teased. "And you're absolutely sure?"

He nodded without hesitation.

There was a part of him that was still completely and utterly in love with Sophie, even knowing how awful she was.

It was a part of him he tried to keep buried lest he become crippled with rage and hurt. For a while, even with all the imbalance in their relationship, he was sure they would grow old together.

He might have given in to that side of him. It would have been easy to do. So familiar. He wasn't sure he'd ever fully trust her again, but he'd have forgiven her.

And then he met Erica.

She was what pushed him forward when he wanted to wallow .

From that very first phone call, he had wanted her energy next to him, guiding him and keeping him grounded. Even if Sophie had fought for him, he couldn't imagine going back to her when Erica was a constant reminder of what was out there for him if he only had the balls to grasp it.

"I'm sure," he said, smiling down at her. "Part of me is heartbroken that it's all over."

"And the other part?"

"Excited for the future and how that might look," he replied. "I'm ready to see life beyond Sophie. I don't want to jump into anything with … anyone. That would be unhealthy."

"I agree," she said with a nod. "I think time to grieve is important. Even if it already feels like we've done a lot of the grieving. Breakups suck, even when they're our choice."

They moved further up the queue, close enough now to hear the mechanics groan as the ride circled through another cycle.

Marcus couldn't wait to get up there and see the view of the city he loved so much. He'd lived here all his life, explored every day of his youth, and he knew that he had barely scratched the surface.

In a city this old, the cobblestone streets remembered secrets first whispered centuries ago, waiting to be uncovered. Tales of forlorn lovers, vengeful souls and forgotten lives.

It was everything Marcus loved and exactly what had inspired him to create Phantom Footsteps.

He couldn't remember when he'd last stopped to admire the beauty right on his doorstep. Sure, he'd held tours, but he'd lost his zest for the rich history his city had to offer.

"Two please," he asked as they reached the vendor. Paying for the tickets, he helped Erica into the pod and sat opposite her as the doors closed, enclosing them in solitude.

"You look excited," she said, grinning at him. Shifting slightly, she settled with her legs between his, their knees touching.

"I am excited," he agreed. "It's been ages since I've done something like this, and the city is so beautiful. It's criminal, actually. "

"I haven't been on a big wheel since my first date with Alex," she confessed. "I'm nervous, actually."

She reached for his hand, and he chuckled as he swapped seats, moving his arm around her shoulder. "I got you."

Leaning into him, she rested her head on his shoulder, looking out over the view as they moved higher up the wheel.

"It's already so beautiful," she murmured. "We should have another go when it darkens, and see the city all lit up."

"Whatever you want," he promised, relishing the idea that they'd have the evening together too. "I, um. I have something for you."

She pulled back slightly to look up at him, smirking a touch. "I have something for you too," she confessed.

Sitting up, but staying close by, she pulled a small parcel from her pocket, wrapped in festive paper. "It's nothing crazy, but I wanted to get you something."

"Thank you, Erica," he said, taking the box. "I didn't have time to wrap yours. It only arrived this morning and—"

"Don't worry about it," she chuckled, holding her hand out. "Gimme."

Suddenly nervous, he grabbed the gift from his inner pocket and handed it over. What if she didn't like it? What if she thought it was too cheesy? God, he should have stuck with jewellery or something.

"Oh, Marcus," she breathed. "This is so pretty."

Pulling the vial from the box, she held it up, the light above them casting a glow on the sunflower held within the glass.

"My way of giving you back some of the sunshine you brought into my life," she read off the attached label. "This is so beautiful, Marcus. Thank you so much."

She leaned forward, kissing his cheek, and Marcus forced himself to stay still and not turn his head.

"You're welcome," he replied, clearing his throat as his shoulders relaxed. "Shall I open mine now?"

She nodded, pulling her gaze from the sunflower and placing it back in its casing. "Go ahead. "

Tearing at the paper, Marcus grinned over at her, unable to help the frisson of excitement. When was the last time he had received a gift that wasn't from his parents?

Holding up the keyring he revealed and letting the light hit the two charms, Marcus glanced over at her with a smile.

"A crow and a starling," he said, running his fingers over the two birds.

"So we'll be together even when we're apart." She beamed at him, and Marcus swallowed past the unexpected lump in his throat.

"I love it," he replied, holding the charms tightly in his hand. "I really… It's perfect, Erica. Thank you."

"You're welcome," she said, leaning in for a hug. Marcus wrapped his arms around her, holding her against him as he breathed in her scent and let her wash over him.

What he wouldn't do for this woman.

It was a small gesture to her, but to him, it meant the world. He let her go, immediately adding the keyring to his set of keys. He looked at the two birds sitting together and smiled before Erica gasped in fright as the ride stuttered underneath them.

"It's okay," he assured her, pulling her against his chest once more. She settled against him like two pieces of a puzzle finally slotted together.

Over the rooftops, the city was coming into view, and Marcus held his breath as the ride kicked into gear once more.

The beauty astounded him, as it always did. Erica gasped again, only this time in awe, as she curled her hand against his chest.

"Oh, Marcus, look at it."

"Beautiful, isn't it?" He brushed his lips over the top of her head. "You're right, it's going to look incredible once all the lights come on."

"Very romantic," she said. "You know. If you were going for that vibe."

He smirked against her hair, amused by her attempt to cover up the longing in her voice. "Very romantic indeed. If you were going for that vibe. "

She chuckled, making a soft and content noise as they looked out over the city.

"I never asked," he murmured, filling the silence. "Are you all prepared for Christmas?"

"As ready as I can be," she whispered. "I don't know if I'll ever be fully ready."

"But you're certain?"

"Yes. I'm completely certain. I've told Lottie the plan – she thinks I'm insane, but she's ready to help where she can."

"That's good."

"It is, because the more time goes on, the more I think I'm becoming quite the hypocrite."

He hadn't expected that.

Frowning, he turned away from the view and met her gaze. "A hypocrite how?"

"Well, look at us. All cosied up together, far too close for just friends."

"I don't think—"

"And then, there's the way our relationship has developed over the past few months. We grow closer and closer with each passing day and the lines between friendship and… something else begin to blur.

"You've heard of an emotional affair, I assume?"

"Oh, hey wait. Erica, no."

"No, you haven't heard of it?"

"No, I don't think you need to worry about it," he corrected. "We're not having an emotional affair."

"We're not?" Her eyes searched his, the smile gone from her lips. "I see."

"Wait, no. I'm cocking this up." He took her hand, holding it between both of his. "Erica, all I mean is our marriages are over. Have been for a long time. The only reason we're not sitting here as two divorcees is because we wanted to screw with our exes."

"But we are still married."

"Honey, we have a toe in those marriages. And really, what have we done except help each other through the shit they put us through?"

Hell, maybe she was right .

The way he was beginning to feel about her didn't feel entirely innocent, and it hadn't been for a while now. But he wouldn't tell her that. Not when the thought of being like Alex left her so distraught.

She wasn't like him.

She was honest, sweet, and loyal. Theirs just happened to be a unique situation, and he couldn't imagine anyone would accuse them of anything untoward.

No one that mattered, anyway.

Anyone who wanted to try besmirching her good name would have him to answer to, and he didn't play nice when he was protecting those he cared about.

"Either way, I'll feel better when this is all over with and I can do what I want to do and feel what I want to feel without any sort of guilt."

As the big wheel moved once again, taking them back to solid ground, Marcus squeezed her hand.

"In a matter of days, you'll get everything you want."

"And you don't want to change your mind about joining us?"

"And miss Alex getting punched by your brother? Oh, absolutely not. I'll be there with a great big fucking smile on my face. Karma will make prisoners of all those who have wronged her, and she is coming for justice.