Chapter Thirty-Four
Gigi
F uck this guy.
I’m thankful for Marcus’ composure because I was about to fling my new studded heel right across this table at his father. Marcus signs the check and takes my hand, raising me from my chair.
“Mr. and Mrs. Holt, this was a pleasure. I hope we can do this again.”
Billy boy extends his hand to shake mine. “I was thinking, we will be spending the weekend at the house in Lee in three weeks. You two should join us.”
Marcus’ grip on my hand tightens. “Will Dom be there?”
“Your brother said he was going to try to join us.”
I look up at Marcus. “This sounds fun! I would love to go.”
We make eye contact, and he looks like he might be pissed. “Okay, we can be there.”
“I’ll send you the details. You two have a wonderful evening.” Marcus’s mom is far too nice for her partner.
As they walk away, we stand for a moment before Marcus takes my hand and leads me to the bar. I’m struggling to keep up in my heels.
When we approach two bar stools, he pulls one out. “Sit.”
I stand by the chair. “Say please.”
“Now isn’t the time for your brat to come out.”
He won’t look at me, so I quickly sit without saying another word. He remains standing beside me as he orders our drinks. My whole body is on edge with the angry aura hanging around him.
I smile at the bartender as they hand me my Old Fashioned. I take a long sip. “Well, we did it. We got through dinner.”
Marcus leans against the bar, hand on his glass. “Why did you agree to go away for the weekend?”
“I didn’t think it would be an issue. I thought it would give us an opportunity to solidify our image to your father. Plus, I’ve never met your bro—”
“An entire weekend with him is going to be hell.”
“But I’ll be there!” I’m trying like hell to lighten up his mood.
He nods, looking across the bar. Picking up his glass, he finishes the amber contents. “Plus, we will have to be a convincing couple for an entire weekend.”
“I can do that.”
“A dinner or an evening wedding is one thing, but the thought of having my father watch my every move for three straight days stresses me the fuck out.”
I shift in my chair to face him, taking his hand in mine on the bar top. “Marcus, you let that man have too much control over you. I completely understand the importance of the business, but let’s just go for the weekend, be the close friends we are, and let him believe whatever the fuck he wants to believe.”
“You make it sound so simple.”
“In my eyes, it is. I don’t owe that mean old man anything.”
The bartender stops to offer us another round. Marcus tells him no and hands him his card. “I wish it were that easy for me, princess.”
Once he’s finished with the tab, I loop my arm in his and lean my head on his shoulder. “How long has your dad been like this? Is he the same way with your brother?”
He lets out a long breath. “He’s always been like this. Even worse when I was younger. I took the brunt of it, I guess, so my brother didn’t have to.”
I squeeze his arm. “So, you’ve always been protective. Makes sense now.”
He doesn’t acknowledge my comment, instead saying, “Let’s get out of here. I already ordered a car; it’s almost here.”
I stand from my barstool, knowing the conversation is over. He’ll tell me more when he’s ready, and I’m okay with that. As we walk out of the restaurant, I loop my arm through his. We fit together so well it’s scary.