Jeremy slightly bent his head back and exhaled deeply. “It’s hard to explain what I’m feeling.” He looked back at me and pressed his lips as his brows kneaded together in confusion. “When I’m around Megan, I’m happy and nervous, both at the same time. Does that make sense?”

Nodding with a knowing smile, I said, “Perfect sense.”

“Yeah?” He shook his head with a rugged moan. “It’s confusing. I feel like I have to be around her all the time, and when I’m not, I think about her constantly. In the beginning, I tried to go on dates with other girls, to take away the thoughts I had of Megan. Though, every time I was on a date, I began nitpicking every little detail in my head of why that particular girl wasn’t right for me.”

“Like no elbow room?”

“Exactly, and because of you and how close we are, I didn’t want to ruin our relationship if I turned into my usual dickhead self. These feelings are new to me, Mia. I just don’t want to let her or you down.”

“Jeremy, you could never let Megan or me down. Just be your usual dickhead self, minus the prowling, and you’ll be just fine.”

His laugh echoed the room, causing me to burst into a hard laugh right along with him. “Alright, enough of this mushy, girly shit.” He pushed back, spreading his arms wide, with brows molded together. “You sure I look alright?”

“You look awesome. If I know Megan well enough, I would say she’ll probably skip dinner and go straight for the car sex.” I winked.

He laughed again, kissed my forehead, and left without another word. Sighing in contentment, I turned on my heels and headed toward my bedroom.

***

An hour after Jeremy left, I showered, brushed my teeth, and combed my hair into a ponytail. There was no need to doll up, so I threw on a pair of black leggings and my favorite University sweatshirt. Since Marcus was bringing the movies, I placed an order for pizza and wings. As I poured a glass of wine, the doorbell rang.

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Perfect timing.

After swinging the door open, my smile faded as I saw the troubled expression on Marcus’s face. He shrugged his shoulders slightly, mouthed “sorry” as he tilted his head, directing my eyes downward. Elle was standing in front of him with a backpack in her hand.

“Hi, Mia!” Elle chirped.

With a smile, I bent my knees so that we were at eye level and pulled her in for a hug. “Elle, I’m so happy you’re here.”

Her lips curled into a huge grin, and then she ran into the apartment. Marcus followed in behind her. Leaning in, he landed a kiss on my forehead. “I’m sorry, babe.” He whispered. “Jimmie had a date and I—”

“Whoa, Jimmie’s on a date?”

“Yeah, he met someone at Elle’s school. Her son and Elle are in the same class. They’ve been spending quite a bit of time together. Elle doesn’t know. Jimmie doesn’t want her to know just yet.”

“Oh my God, that’s amazing that he’s dating. I’m happy for him.”

Elle ran up to us and pulled on Marcus’s jacket. “Uncle Marc, show Mia the movies we got.”

With a light groan, Marcus’s eyes widened. “Ah, yes, the movies.” The three of us walked to the living room and sank down onto the quilt. He pulled each one out of the bag. “You have a choice of three: The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast.” Marcus raised his brows mockingly as he held all three in both hands.

Elle glanced at me with an expression as if it were a very difficult decision to make. “So which one would you like to see, Mia?”

I pursed my lips to try and hold back my laughter as I looked over the selections in Marcus’s hand. “Well, I love all three, but if I have to choose only one, my favorite is Beauty and the Beast.”

Elle nodded. “Good choice, that’s my favorite too.” Tilting her head, she faced Marcus. “Well, Uncle Marc, Beauty and the Beast it is.”

Marcus deeply sighed as he stood and headed toward the flat screen. He placed the movie into the Blue-ray player and pressed play. The previews began. “Marcus, would you like anything to drink?” I asked.

“You have anything strong?”

Laughing, I stood. “I have wine.” He nodded his head and then looked over at Elle. “Elle, would you like something to drink?”

“What do you have?” she asked, looking at me.

“Grape juice?”

“Sure!”

Smiling at her, I added, “Anything else?”

Her eyes scanned over the junk food. “Do you have any fruits or veggies?” Where was this little girl from? Planet thirteen going on thirty?

Marcus cocked a brow, “Elle, you know better than—”

“No, it’s fine, seriously. I do have fruits and veggies. I’ll bring them right over, Elle.” She smiled at me widely and then turned her head back toward the flat screen.

I made my way toward the kitchen and into the fridge. Marcus followed behind me. He grabbed a glass and filled it with wine. I smirked at him as I began to chop up and prepare some produce for Elle.

Leaning back against the counter, he studied me. “You find all of this amusing, don’t you?”

“You have to agree it’s hilarious.” I winked.

Marcus took a gulp of wine and then made his way to me. Nestling behind me, he wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered in my ear, following with feather-like kisses along the nape of my neck.

“I’ve missed you too.”

He remained in that position as he gently swayed our hips from side to side, humming to a soft beat. I continued to chop an apple, smiling and laughing under his embrace. “I’m sorry about tonight, Mia. I know it was supposed to be just the two of us. I’ll make it up to you.”

Baffled, I stopped what I was doing and turned in his arms to face him. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I ran my fingertips through the back of his hair. “Marcus, don’t ever feel sorry about bringing Elle. I love and enjoy being around her.”

Marcus leaned down and placed a kiss on the tip of my nose. “That’s one of the reasons why I love you so much.”

“Because I accept your family? Of course I do.”

“That, and because I know one day you’re going to make an amazing mother.” He reached down and planted a kiss on my lips. Those words caught me off guard. An amazing mother? Marcus and I hadn’t discussed the loss of our baby since that day in the parking lot—the day I told him about the miscarriage. Hearing him say I would make an amazing mother hit me hard. “Are you okay?”




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