Chapter 3
three
. . .
Meghan
“Ahh!” Callie screeched, and I instantly shot to my feet.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Spider!”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake, Callie.”
I stormed into the adjacent kitchen and grabbed the nearest glass and a sheet of paper. The offending arachnid was scurrying across the counter top on long, spindly legs. I deftly trapped it under the glass, sliding the paper underneath. Callie watched with a mix of horror and hero-worship as I carried it through the living room and out the French doors onto the patio. I released the spider into the lush foliage, watching as it scampered away to freedom.
Back inside, I found Callie leaning against the kitchen island. “I swear, this house is determined to give me a heart attack.” She clutched her chest and shuddered. “Between the creaky floorboards, the ancient plumbing, and now the wildlife invasions, I’m starting to question our decision to buy this place.”
“Welcome to the joys of homeownership, my dear. Especially in a grand old dame like this one.” I leaned my hip against the cool marble countertop, folding my arms as I appraised the space. “Now, can we get back to it ma’am? We’ve got work to do.”
We returned to the cozy living room in Callie and Emmett’s charming Victorian Village home, and I sank into the sofa. Callie, my soon-to-be sister-in-law, leaned forward with an enthusiastic gleam in her eyes.
“Alright, where were we?”
“Seating chart. I’m still debating whether to separate Aunt Millie and Uncle Frank or just accept that their bickering is an unavoidable part of every family gathering.”
Callie’s lips quirked. “At this point, I think we should just embrace the dysfunction. It wouldn’t be a Price family event without a little drama.”
“Fair point. We should strategically seat them near the bar to keep them well-lubricated.”
We both snickered at the use of the word lubricate— two sophisticated, intelligent women.
As our giggles subsided, a comfortable silence settled between us. I allowed my gaze to drift, taking in the warmth of the room, the welcoming home Callie and Emmett had created together. I felt a wistful pang as I imagined them starting their new, married life together in this cozy little haven.
The sound of the front door opening shattered the tranquil moment. My heart skipped a beat as Marco sauntered into the living room, his signature grin plastered across his handsome face. “Well, well. If it isn’t the beautiful bride-to-be and the equally stunning best maid.”
Our eyes met, and my pulse jumped.
“Just discussing the seating arrangements for the reception. Get over here, man of honor!” Callie gestured for Marco to join us .
Callie was kneeling on the fluffy white area rug, still studying the seating chart. Marco bent to kiss her cheek. He repeated the gesture when he plopped down on the couch next to me and whispered, “Hello, gattina.”
My mouth went dry at the sound of Marco’s pet name for me. It was an intimate reminder of mind-blowing sex we’d been having for the past year. As he settled onto the sofa, his thigh brushing mine, I thought about the previous night—tangled sheets, sweat-slicked skin, breathless gasps in the darkness. Marco’s strong hands roaming my body, igniting a fire with each touch. Hungry kisses down my neck, across my collarbone. The way he’d growled my name like a prayer.
I shifted, trying to shake off the vivid memories and focus on wedding planning. But Marco’s presence was intoxicating, his subtle cologne mingling with the scent of his skin, a heady aroma that made my head spin.
“Earth to Meghan!” Callie’s amused voice snapped me back to reality. “You still with us, or have you been abducted by aliens?”
My cheeks flamed as I realized I’d been caught daydreaming. “Sorry, just...thinking about the flowers.”
Marco’s phone vibrated. He picked it up and glanced at the screen. “Sorry, need to take this.” His fingers grazed my shoulder as he excused himself.
I fidgeted with my necklace as Marco stepped onto the patio, phone pressed to his ear. His broad shoulders filled out his fitted t-shirt in a way that made my mouth water.
Callie nudged me from her spot on the floor, her elbow digging into my calf. “Alright, Megs. What’s the deal with you and tall, dark, and Italian out there? ”
I ducked my head, letting my blonde bob fall forward to hide my flushed face. “What do you mean? Nothing!”
“Mhm. Is that why you two look like you’re ready to tear each other’s’ clothes off?”
“Ohmygod, no way,” I said, wishing I had taken those acting classes my mother encouraged when I was younger.
Callie leaned back on her hands, fixing me with a penetrating stare. “Meghan Price, you’re a terrible liar. I know when you’re hiding something.”
I huffed out a sigh. “Fine. Yes, there may be something going on between us. But it’s complicated.”
“Complicated how?”
“We’ve been…” I paused, considering how much I should say. She was Marco’s best friend after all. “He hasn’t told you?”
“Not a peep.”
I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or hurt. “We caught up at the library gala last year. You know, the one when you and?—”
“Oh, yes.” Callie’s eyes went dreamy. It was the night Emmett had first kissed her, sending her carefully laid career plans careening off course. It all worked out for the best, though, considering they were about to get married.
“Right, well. We slept together that night.”
Callie’s eyebrows disappeared into her hairline. “What! I can’t believe neither of you told me! That was so long ago!”
“Yeah, well, it didn’t stop there. We’ve been fucking like bunnies ever since, but things have been different the last few weeks.”
“Different how?”
“Like it’s more than just sex, maybe?”
My confession felt both liberating and terrifying. Callie reached over and gently squeezed my hand. “I guessed there was something going on between you two. I’ve seen the way he looks at you when you’re not paying attention.”
“Shit, we agreed to keep it just between us, but I guess we weren’t exactly being subtle. Does Emmett know?”
“No, he’s blissfully ignorant. I’m pretty sure he likes to pretend you’re still ten years old and afraid of boys.”
I couldn’t help but smile thinking about my overprotective big brother, even as uncertainty roiled inside me. I shouldn’t be surprised that he hadn’t picked up on what was going on between Marco and me. For the past year, he’d been wrapped up in all things Callie. I couldn’t blame him. Love looked good on him, and I was happy he was happy.
“Definitely not scared of boys. But a little scared of this thing with Marco. It’s so easy. Too easy, almost. We just get each other, ya know? But at the same time...”
My voice trailed off as I struggled to put my tangled emotions into words. Marco was amazing. But he wasn’t exactly known for his commitment track record.
“You’re worried about getting hurt,” Callie finished for me. “Given Marco’s reputation, I can understand. Have you two talked about this?”
I shook my head, a wry laugh escaping my lips. “No, we’ve been too busy sneaking around like a couple of hormonal teenagers.”
I looked out the window, staring at Marco’s back. “I don’t know what to do. For a while, it was casual, and then it just gradually became more, but we’re still hiding it. I almost like hiding it. I’m enjoying having something just for me. And I’m not sure I’m ready for prying eyes and unwelcome opinions to burst my happy little bubble.”
Callie rubbed my back soothingly. “I absolutely get that.” And I knew she did. After all, she had been adamant about hiding her relationship with my brother last year, afraid people would judge her for sleeping with her boss. She tilted her head thoughtfully. “What about Wick?”
Isn’t that the million-dollar question?
“Are you ever going to tell me what happened with him?”
My history with Wick spanned almost two decades. Ever since he and Emmett had become friends when I was only nine years old. He’d always been my safe place, my person. While Emmett was protective in his own way, Wick was the one who truly saw who I was beneath the polished exterior. He’d been my dearest friend for so long, but then I had to go and open my big mouth. We’d repaired our relationship a bit in the year since, but things had never been quite the same. I wasn’t sure they ever would be.
“Honestly? I don’t know,” I said. “Wick means the world to me, but it’s never going to happen. I can’t keep sitting around, twiddling my thumbs, hoping he’ll suddenly develop feelings for me.”
“That’s true,” she agreed.
“We bumped into him the other night.”
“You and Marco? How’d that go?”
“About as well as you’d expect. Marco doesn’t know how to keep his hands to himself, and Wick has a hard time controlling his macho-man anger.”
“Why was he angry?”
“Beats me, Cal.”
“Maybe he was jealous. ”
I shook my head. “Definitely not jealous. He made his feelings about me crystal clear last year.”
Callie nodded pensively. “Well, I think you owe it to yourself to explore things with Marco. Just...be careful, okay? Guard your heart a little.”
We sat in companionable silence for a while, the seating chart forgotten. My mind raced with possibilities, hopes and fears mingling together.
Two things were certain: I couldn’t ignore my growing feelings for Marco any longer, and I couldn’t hold out hope for Wick. It was time to take a leap of faith and see where it led me. Even if I risked getting my heart broken in the process.
An hour later, we had abandoned wedding planning altogether and uncorked a bottle or three of wine. Marco sprawled across the shaggy rug, one hand supporting his lean body in a sitting position while the other stroked my hair as I lay in his lap. Callie had swapped us for the couch, tucking her feet under her tiny frame and snuggling under a throw blanket.
Murmured voices sounded down the hall. Then Wick and Emmett appeared in the doorway. As soon as Wick’s gorgeous hazel eyes met mine, his smile dropped.
“Hey guys, how’s the wedding planning going?” Emmett asked.
“More like wine drinking at this point.” Callie giggled, raising her glass in a mock toast. He leaned over the back of the couch to give her a quick kiss before excusing himself to take a shower.
“Wanna join us, Wick?” Callie asked.
He hesitated, still standing in the doorway, then looked between Marco and me.
“Sure, why not?” His shrug was casual, but I could see the tightness in his jaw. He poured himself a generous serving of Malbec before settling into the armchair nearest me.
I watched him over the rim of my glass, my heart clenching at the weariness that seemed to settle over his shoulders. Wick had been through a lot lately, and I longed to comfort him the way he’d always done for me.
Marco, ever observant, sensed the shift in the atmosphere. He leaned in close, his breath tickling my ear as he whispered, “Everything okay, gattina?”
I suppressed a shiver, sensing Wick’s eyes boring into us from across the room. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I said. “Just a lot on my mind with the wedding and everything.”
He nodded, his fingertips skimming my arm in a gesture that was both comforting and electrifying. The heat of his touch through the thin fabric of my blouse, ignited sparks beneath my skin.
Emmett, bless him, chose that moment to return to the living room and launch into an account of his and Wick’s basketball game, complete with sound effects and dramatic reenactments. Callie dissolved into giggles, her eyes shining with adoration as she watched her fiancé’s antics.
I tried to focus on the story, but my attention kept going back to the two men beside me. Wick, with his chiseled jaw and intense gaze, the embodiment of strength and stability. And Marco, all dark curls and mischievous smiles, a wild card that made my pulse race and my head spin.
They were a study in contrasts, and yet, I was drawn to them both. Wick was my anchor, the one who grounded me when my world was spinning out of control. Marco was my escape, a thrilling reminder of the passion and spontaneity missing from my carefully crafted life.
As if sensing my thoughts, Wick abruptly stood, setting his empty wine glass on the coffee table with a clink. “I should get going,” he said. “Early meeting tomorrow.”
His gaze locked with mine, and for a moment, I swore I saw a flash of longing in his eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
“One sec. I’ll walk out with you. I need to head to the airport, anyway,” Emmett said. He exchanged a quiet goodbye with Callie before kissing her soundly.
Wick turned and headed out of the room with Emmett following close behind. I watched him go, my heart twisting. Marco’s laced his fingers through mine in a silent show of support. I squeezed back gratefully. Callie cleared her throat, her eyes darting between Marco and me. “So, about those centerpieces...”