21. Faye
It’s late when I finally feel I’m at a stopping point with this project. As I shut down my computer, I stand and stretch my aching limbs. Taking off my glasses, I rub at my dry eyes and head to my room to change into pajamas.
When I finally pick up my phone, I see there are several missed messages.
One from my mom, just checking in.
I’ll call her back in the morning.
Another from a client, asking to set up a meeting later next week.
Again, it’s not pressing, so I’ll deal with it tomorrow.
The last came through about an hour ago.
Mark:
Hey, sweetheart, just checking in. Riggs has another meeting in the morning, so we’re staying another night. I’m at my hotel room. Call me when you’re free.
Shit, it’s nearly midnight there.
Not wanting to wake him, I send a quick text.
Me:
Sorry. Got lost in the zone. Just now checking messages. Don’t want to wake you if you’re sleeping.
Within seconds, the phone rings, and my heart soars like a teenager with her first crush at seeing his name.
“Hey, you.” I smile in greeting as I connect the call. “How’s your trip?”
“Better now that I hear your voice. Can we switch to a video call? I miss your beautiful face.”
“Sure.” I laugh at his eagerness.
Within seconds, his handsome face fills my phone. A playful smile pulls at his lips. “God, you’re even better looking than I remember.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, handsome,” I tease, though something settles in me when my eyes finally meet his.
“How’s your project going?” he asks with interest.
“Almost done. When I bring this client on board, I’ll travel to Bologna to get this up and running.”
Mark’s brows draw together, and the phone tilts to the side for a moment before he asks, “How soon will you leave?”
“Not for another week or so. I’m still troubleshooting a few things before I make the trip, or it will all be for nothing.”
I watch him settle onto his bed and lean against the headboard. “Will you be gone long?”
“Not sure. The last time I did something like this, I was gone six weeks. The time before, it only took two. It all depends on what I encounter when I get there.”
“Hmmm… That must be hard to plan around. Are all jobs like this?”
Shaking my head, I sigh heavily and settle onto my bed, as well. “No, thankfully. I try to limit how many clients like this I take. Fortunately, most of what I do can be done remotely, so it only happens a couple of times a year. Otherwise, I’d never be home.”
“I can certainly relate,” he says solemnly.
Something in the way he says it has me taking a closer look at his features.
His usually sculpted hair stands on end, as if he’s repeatedly been running a hand through it. There are dark circles under his eyes that I’ve rarely noticed before, and he’s looking at me with a sense of need I can’t quite describe.
“Everything okay, Mark?”
“Yeah,” he sighs heavily. “This trip is just… different for me.” Then, a slow grin spreads across his face. “For some reason… I’ve been rather preoccupied. I can’t seem to get my mind off a certain someone, and I’m jonesing to get home.”
From the suddenly heated look in his eyes, I know without a doubt he’s talking about me, and my heart does a somersault into my belly. But I can’t let him off that easily. “I imagine you miss your family a lot when you’re gone.”
“Yes, I do,” he says flatly. “But from that glint in your eye, I can tell you know damn well I wasn’t talking about them.”
“All joking aside, what makes this trip different?” I ask with genuine curiosity.
Mark’s head shakes slightly. “I’m not sure. For years, I’ve been deployed, have gone on quick missions, and even been stationed out of reach of my family for months on end. But this little in-and-out I’m doing for Riggs hits different.”
“Is it because you’re getting used to being with your girls now?” I suggest.
A long and steady breath escapes as he just stares into the phone.
When I don’t say anything, he eventually rolls his lower lip under his teeth and shakes his head slowly. “Truth?” He finally shrugs.
“No, lie to me. It always works out so well that way,” I playfully snark.
“God, you are adorable when you’re being a brat.” He chuckles, then he quickly adds, “This right here is why I blame you, Faye.”
“Me? What did I do?” I guffaw in defense.
Rolling his eyes, he smirks adorably. “You made me fall for you.”
“Good to know I’m not the only one, Lancaster. I’m a master at compartmentalization. Otherwise, I wouldn’t get a thing done now that I know you’re living next door.”
“I used to be the same way… until now. I swear, it’s like my feelings for you all those years ago just lay dormant and were revitalized with a vengeance the second I saw you again. Only this time, I’m an adult and know better than to dismiss them.”
If that doesn’t hit like a ton of bricks, I’m not sure what else would.
“Wait… Dismiss them? What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying...” He pauses to readjust the phone that’s propped up in front of him. Once he settles, he continues, “I was in love with you when you pushed me away all those years ago.”
“I—” I start, but he cuts me off.
“If you hadn’t pushed me away, I wouldn’t have my girls or my career, for that matter. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. I love them to the ends of the earth. I have zero regrets. I’m a firm believer in everything happening for a reason.”
“Then what is it?” I ask, not following his train of thought.
“In just a week of having you back in my life, I know without a doubt, I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. Yes, I loved Sarah, to a point… After all, she’s the mother of my children. I’ll always be grateful to her. But there’s a reason it fizzled out eventually.”
Tears prick the back of my eyes as I listen to him declare his love for me.
“Faye, you are truly the only person I’ve ever been completely, 1000 percent, irrevocably in love with.”
“Oh, Mark…” I sigh. My chest tightens from my heart growing so big that it can barely contain itself. My throat thickens, and I can’t process enough words to adequately explain my feelings for this wonderfully sexy and direct man.
One of the things I love most about him is that I’ve never had to wonder where I stand with him.
Holy shit, this man loves me—just as much as I love him.
As if he can sense I’m struggling to find the words, he arches a brow and says, “I’m hoping you’re on the same page because if you feel even an ounce of what I do for you, I’m telling you now, I’m all in.”
For the longest time, all I can do is stare.
A million thoughts fly through my head, but I only land on one.
“Ditto, Mark.” Finally, the words come out in a whisper. “We’re on the same page.”
A wicked grin plays at his lips, and his fingers steeple under his chin. “That just leaves us with one minor little thing.”
“What’s that?” I’m confused by his expression.
“It’s time you met my wonderful, wild, and chaotic family.”
“Oh, no pressure there,” I deadpan.