Page 170 of Prized Possession

“Is everything okay? Why did you knock?”

I place my hand on his chest to reassure him. “Everything is fine. I’m sorry if I worried you. I knocked because I didn’t want to disturb you if you were working.”

Marcus lets out a sigh, pulling me into a hug. “You don’t ever need to knock, love. I’m never too busy for you.”

I wrap my arms around him, burying my face into his chest as I breathe in his warm comforting smell. “Thank you.”

“Are you okay? How's the cake?” he asks, and I can hear the concern in his voice.

I let out a sigh as I pull back to look at him. “I think it’s good, but I’m so nervous. Do you want to come and see it?”

“Of course,” he replies eagerly, pulling me towards the kitchen.

I hold my breath the whole way there, my heart racing as Marcus takes in the cake but remains silent. I’m about to have a nervous breakdown when he turns to me with a look that could only be described as awe on his face.

“You actually made this? It’s fucking incredible, Chloe.”

I let out the breath I was holding and smile, relief flooding through my veins.

I quickly box the cake back up, not wanting anything bad to possibly happen to it, even though it won’t be long until collection. It’s always better to keep it wrapped and protected, as you never know.

“I just hope Leo and his daughter like it.”

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, the doorbell rings. I practically sprint to the door, Marcus following behind me. I open it to find Leo standing there with the cutest little girl.

She’s got curly blonde hair that falls to her shoulders, and bright chubby pink cheeks that make the green of her eyes stand out. She’s wearing a puffy pink princess dress with a large badge that saysSix Todayon it.

“Morning,” Leo says, before looking at his watch and adding, “Well, it’s closer to lunch, actually.”

We agreed the cake would be ready for collecting at eleven thirty in the morning, and they’re only a couple of minutes late.

“Morning,” I reply, before bending down to greet the little princes. “And happy birthday to you. I’m Chloe.”

She holds her hand out to mine, a bright smile on her face. “I’m Penny, and it’s my birthday.”

“I can see that. You look so pretty,” I tell her as I shake her hand.

She turns her attention to Marcus, who is standing behind me, her eyes taking on an almost dreamy edge as she stares at him, her mouth open. “Who are you?”

Leo groans as Marcus chuckles. “I’m Marcus. Happy birthday, Penny. I love your dress.”

Her cheeks turn red as her smile grows. She grabs the edges of her dress and twirls, watching him as she does.

“It’s my princess dress.”

“It definitely is,” Marcus agrees, his face soft as he smiles at her.

“Shall we see the cake?” Leo asks, breaking Penny out of her growing infatuation with Marcus.

“Yes, yes, yes,” she shouts, bouncing on the tips of her toes as she throws her arms around.

“Come on in then,” I tell them, leading the way into the kitchen.

I hear Leo politely address Marcus, who tells him there’s no need for formalities when it’s his day off.

Leo apologises for Penny being so hyper, telling him she’s not even had anysugar yet, this is all just the excitement of her birthday, which makes Marcus laugh.

I almost want to turn around and look, as I don’t get to see him truly laugh as much as I’d like to. He always looks so relaxed and carefree when he does, and I wonder if Leo is a little thrown by this side of his boss.

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