Chapter 8
I toss and turn all night before finally giving up around six. Morning sunlight is streaming through the windows as I make my way downstairs. There’s already coffee brewed, which is unsurprising. Marcus works in investment banking or something, so I don’t think he has to get up early, but he does anyway.
After pouring myself a mug, I bring my laptop into the library and get to work. I’ve gone long enough on this trip without checking in on my business, and all it’s done is piss me off more.
Do I wish I didn’t have to work as much? Of course. But opening a business in a smaller city comes with challenges, and I knew that when I got started. Trying to build my client base has only gotten harder and harder, which means I have to pour more time, energy, and money into marketing.
Sometimes it’s exhausting, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I wish Nate and I lived in a better place for securing clients, though.
“Hard at work, I see.”
I freeze with my hands on my keyboard. “Just… had a few emails to answer. And stuff.”
Marcus hums. “If anyone understands, it’s me. I have my projects, and you have yours.”
“Fair enough.” I glance around the library. It’s a small room, and Marcus has put every inch to perfect use. White bookshelves, teal curtains, and the comfiest armchair have transformed it into a quaint, cozy library. “Your latest one has turned out pretty damn great.”
Marcus’s smile lights up the room, and warmth cascades down my body at the sight. “You think so?”
With a nod, I take him in. He’s dressed in light gray dress pants, a crisp white button up, and a burgundy blazer. As long as I’ve known him, he’s always kept himself in shape, and it only makes the outfit look even better on him.
“You look…” I swallow. “Nice. The blazer looks good. Your favorite color, right?”
His devilish smirk makes me want to sink into the armchair and disappear. “Didn’t think you’d remember.”
How could I forget?
“I remember any time a man knows the difference between burgundy and maroon. Dressed up for any particular reason?”
“I have an early meeting.”
At that, my stomach sinks. “I thought you took the week off.”
“I did, but something came up.”
Nodding, I let my gaze drop to my laptop. I didn’t realize I was looking forward to spending time with Marcus without Nate around until I had the option taken away from me.
“Shouldn’t take long,” he says. “I should be back before lunch.”
“Oh. Um… good.”
Footsteps sound on the stairs, and Nate pops his head into the library a moment later. “Matt and Levi should be here any second to pick me up.”
“Good, I was hoping to catch you before you left.” Marcus glances at his watch. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure, just gotta be quick. Don’t want to keep the guys waiting.”
“Let’s move into my office.”
I raise an eyebrow as they leave. Marcus’s office is also on the first floor, and the fact that he’s directing Nate there means he wants this to be a private conversation. Which means, most likely, they’ll be talking about me.
Once I hear the office door shut, I get up and tiptoe down the hallway. I should probably feel guilty for this, but I need to know what they’re going to say. I trust Marcus to keep my secret, but if I can figure out where Nate’s head is at a little, I’m not turning down the chance.
Pressing my ear to the door, I strain to listen to their conversation.
“… sure you want to do this?” Marcus is saying.
“Why wouldn’t I be sure?” Nate asks.
“You’re hurting Liliana. Is that not obvious to you?”
“Look, I said she could come. She’s the one who chose to stay back. If she’s gonna be petty and get mad at me when she could’ve tagged along, that’s on her.”
“You packed your gear, Nathan.”
I stifle a gasp. I was wondering how he was going on an overnight trip when he left his backpacking stuff at home, but that explains it. No wonder he wouldn’t let me look in the trunk of his Jeep.
“And?”
“You were planning this all along, and the fact that you didn’t make sure Liliana would have gear to join you is quite telling.”
“Listen, Dad, I get that you’re trying to help, but leave well enough alone. We’re fine, okay? She’s just been in one of her moods lately.”
“Are you sure that’s all that’s going on?”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Marcus lets out a long sigh. “It means I don’t want you to make the same mistakes that your mother and I made. You need to show Liliana that you care about her. That you’re willing—happy—to prioritize her.”
For a moment, Nate doesn’t respond, but then he says, “Matt and Levi are here.”
“Nate, are you sure you—”
“I’m going, Dad. Thanks for the advice, but mind your own business next time, okay?”
At that, I slip back into the library. I’m just settling into the armchair when Nate walks past. At first, it doesn’t look like he’s going to say goodbye, but then he pauses and turns to face me. I tense at his expression.
“You know,” he seethes, “I find it pretty damn ironic that you keep complaining about how I’m not prioritizing you, yet you’re working on our vacation instead of coming with me. Maybe stop trying to place all the blame on me here.”
“Nate, you know that’s not fair. I don’t like—”
“Great excuse.” He turns on his heel and walks away.
“Nate!”
A few seconds later, the front door slams. Pain blooms in my chest. I thought I’d at least get a decent goodbye, not that. Especially since his point is so stupid. He hasn’t cared to really include me in anything since the start of this trip, and now he’s literally leaving for a day or two.
When Marcus appears in the doorway, his expression is somber. “I’m sorry. I think I pissed him off.”
“You heard all of that?”
He nods silently.
“Do you agree with him?”
“Do you?”
I shoot Marcus a glare, and he returns it with a steady, even gaze. When he raises an eyebrow in a challenge, I want to scream. I want to yell at him and tell him that yes, I do care what he thinks of me, and to please just say what his opinion is.
But instead I shake my head. “No. I don’t.”
“Then what do you think?”
I let out a slow breath. “Last night, at the party, I tried hanging out with Nate and his friends. I stuck around for a lot longer than the asshole deserved. It felt like he was trying to actively exclude me from their conversation. He wouldn’t explain anything to me, he kept brushing me off, and he flat-out ignored me most of the time I was in the basement.”
Disappointment fills Marcus’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“And then, finding out he’s going on this stupid trip…” I shake my head. “If he truly cared about spending time with me, he would’ve found something else to do. Even with Levi and Matthias! I get that he hasn’t seen them in a long time. But there’s an amusement park around here, isn’t there?”
“There is.”
“Or there’s the beach, or a million other things. Things we all would enjoy doing. Things Nate could’ve suggested to the guys instead of backpacking. But he didn’t. And then… well, and then he found ways to pin the blame on me instead of just owning up and saying he’s doing whatever he wants regardless of how it affects me.”
Marcus doesn’t say anything, letting me talk. He’s leaning against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets. His hair is styled, his beard is freshly trimmed, and he always stands with so much confidence. The picture of perfection, staring at his mess of a son’s girlfriend like she’s the only thing that matters.
“It’s not my fault that I decided to stay home because he made plans out of nowhere to do something he knows I hate doing.”
He nods, still quiet.
Always such a good listener.
“And it feels intentional,” I add softly.
“I agree,” he says.
“You don’t think I’m being a little selfish by working?”
“Liliana, you were working while he was asleep, and he wouldn’t’ve had any time for you this morning, anyway. He was looking for an excuse so he wouldn’t have to shoulder all the blame.”
I bite my lip. Out of all the things Nate has said and done, that’s the one that I feel like he’s at least a little right on.
“When you two actually have time to intentionally spend together, are you going to spend it working?”
“What? Of course not!”
“Then I don’t think his little outburst was warranted. Give yourself some credit.”
“Okay,” I whisper.
Marcus’s phone goes off, and after he silences it, he sighs. “I have to get going. I’ll be back soon.”
“All right. Hope it goes well.”
He turns to go, but then he stops and looks back over his shoulder. “Oh, and Liliana?”
“Yeah?”
“Next time you eavesdrop on one of my conversations, make sure you watch your shadow. I saw it under my door.”
Shit.
“I—I’m sorry.”
He just smiles. “I’ll see you later, little star.”