CHAPTER FOURTEEN

MARCUS

While Alice staggers off to one of the bathrooms, I head into mine and clean up. A definite plus of working from home is I have little concern over being late for work, though this morning I’m definitely behind.

My eyes snap wide and I fairly fly out of the bathroom, coming to a halt in front of the guest bathroom. “Alice!” I yell, pounding on the door. “I’m sorry, but I think we made you late for work.”

More than late. It’s almost ten now.

There’s the sound of rustling on the other side of the door and then it slowly swings inwards to reveal her beautiful, smiling face. “I actually called off work today. So I’m good.”

I should have done the same. Grimacing, I back up. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I have a few things I need to get done this morning.”

She nibbles on her lower lip. “I understand. I didn’t expect you to do the same.” She exits the bathroom and goes to walk by. I reach out and grasp her wrist.

“You don’t have to leave.”

“I don’t want to be in your way,” she says softly.

I shake my head. “Never. You could never be in my way. Let me deal with a few things, then I can make us something to eat. After that, the day is open to whatever you like.”

Her smile is back in full force. “I’d like that. But how about I make the food while you work? Then I need to go to my house and change.”

“Never change. I like you exactly how you are.”

Alice rolls her eyes, but I can tell by the tinge of pink on her cheeks and her sweet smile that she doesn’t mind my silliness. Even though it’s not that silly, I truly do like her.

Still in my t-shirt and baggy pajama bottoms, I roll into my office and quickly start going over a few reports. It’s hard to keep my mind on track as I envision the ways Alice and I can spend our unexpected day together.

Despite my mobility issues, I can still enjoy a variety of activities, as long as arrangements are made ahead of time. This lack of planning does severely limit our options for today though. It comes down to eating out, going to the movies, or maybe walking through the park we’ve had lunch at. We’re only about forty minutes away from the McGregor Museum of Art. If Alice wanted, we could make an afternoon of it there.

With that option in mind, I can focus on finishing these reports and answering a few emails.

Twenty minutes later, a soft knock on the door sounds and Alice peeks her head around the opened door. “Breakfast number two is ready.”

Her eyes roam around the room and I wave her in. The office is spacious, even with my large desk and multiple bookshelves occupying the space. The large windows dominating one wall help keep the room with its dark wood furniture from becoming dark and gloomy. She takes everything in and nods. “Very nice. Very masculine.”

Before I can ask about that, her eyes shift to the blue gift bag still on the chair by the door.

“What’s this?” she asks, walking over and reading the tag. “Happy Birthday Dan.”

“My nephew,” I supply, hoping that will be the end of it.

Letting the tag go, her smile dims. “Lucky you, I’m an only child, so no nieces or nephews for me.” Her smile brightens. “What did you get him?”

I close down my computer and sigh. “A drone.”

Alice laughs. “What a cool gift! Are you the cool uncle?” she teases, coming over and running her fingers down my scruffy cheek.

I snort. “Hardly.”

“When’s his birthday?”

“Tomorrow.” I capture her hand and press a kiss to her palm. “How do you feel about checking out the McGregor Museum of Art? I believe I saw they have a new exhibit.”

She ignores that. “You are in luck; the weather is supposed to be fantastic tomorrow. Perfect for trying that new drone out. I bet you can’t wait to see his face. You’ll have to tell me all about it.”

The hurt that I thought I had moved past rolls back. Dropping Alice’s hand, I roll back from her and go over to the gift, snatching it off the chair and thrusting it at her. “Here, you think it’s so fun, then why don’t you give it to him?” I snarl.

Automatically her hands come up and she grabs it before the bag can crash to the floor. Hugging it to her chest, Alice stares at me with wide blue eyes. “Marcus, what the hell?”

“His party is tomorrow, and I already sent a card and a check.”

“Okay,” she says, drawing the word out.

My shoulders hunch as remorse over my outburst fills me. “I’m sorry,” I say.

She takes the gift and places it carefully back on the chair before coming to stand in front of me. “Care to talk about it?” she asks gently.

“No,” I mutter stubbornly.

“Marcus.” Crossing her arms, she glares down at me.

I glare right back, even though I know I’m fully in the wrong here.

Finally all the fight goes out of me, and my shoulders sag and I drop my gaze. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

Uncrossing her arms, she waves a hand as if shooing away a pesky bug. “I don’t care about that. Why you snapped is what I’m interested in.”

A defeated sigh leaves me, even as something warm squirms in my chest. She’s still here. Normally, I act like an ass and people can’t get away fast enough.

“Can we talk in the living room?” I ask.

Her lips twist and finally she gives a single hard nod. Opening the door, she leads the way to the living room, taking a seat on the couch.

I park myself next to the long couch and debate sitting beside her or not. Wanting to be able to fully see her as we talk, I opt to remain in my chair.

“Again, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken things out on you.”

“You were lashing out. It happens.” Her lips quirk up in a one-sided grin. “Don’t let it happen too often.”

Shoving my hand through my messy hair, I nod. “I’ll try. No promises.”

“Okay, enough stalling, Marcus. What’s going on?”

I feel ridiculous telling her I’m pouting over being uninvited to my nephew’s birthday party. The words tumble out anyway, and talking about it actually does make me feel a little better.

“Wait a minute, you told me you swam all the time. So what’s the big deal?”

Poor Alice still doesn’t get it. Then again, she’s only been out with me once at a restaurant and twice in a large park.

I gesture down at my thin legs in the baggy flannel pajama bottoms, my knobby knees poking out like a horrible shipwreck on the ocean’s smooth floor.

“I already told you. It’s not a pretty sight. People don’t want to see the disabled guy in the pool.”

Her lips pinch and she shakes her head. “What about your nephew?”

“Dan?”

“Yes, what about Dan? You don’t think he wants to see you.”

Dan’s probably one of the few people outside of my Grandma Deborah who are genuinely happy to see me. I rub at my jaw, the rough whiskers of my beard prickling my palm. “I wouldn’t want to make a scene.”

Alice stares at me and lets out a disbelieving laugh. “You never seem to have a problem making a scene any other time.”

Okay, she has a point.

“I don’t want to embarrass Dan.”

Scooting over on the couch, Alice tucks her legs under her and wraps her arms around my shoulders, giving me a fierce hug. “Marcus, you’re not going to embarrass him by showing up with a gift,” she says quietly against my neck. “I’m sure he loves you and will be delighted to see you.”

A shuddering sigh goes through me, and I clutch at her, squeezing probably a little too hard, though Alice doesn’t make a sound of protest. “Go with me?” I plead.

She wiggles to loosen my hold and pulls back enough to look into my face. “I’d love to.”