Page 4 of Marcus-stiltskin

“That’s the cool thing. I originally came out here to look at some property and—”

Soojin chooses that exact moment to come to the counter and hand him his check, interrupting our conversation. He turns quickly to pay, scribbling in a large tip, before he turns back to me.

Soojin, nods her approval at my interest in this man behind his back, probably because of the large tip, then heads back to the kitchen. I’d roll my eyes, but Marcus’s gorgeous dark brown eyes are already back on mine.

“Where was I? Oh yeah, the property. I had planned to come out here just to look, but then my uncle passed away and left me a bunch of donkeys and a horse. I needed a place fast, so I bought it, and here I am. Figured I might turn it into an animal sanctuary.”

Hot and an animal person, too? Thank God I didn’t have that knowledge at fifteen. God only knows what dumb thing Imight have done to embarrass myself further. Sent him naked pictures? Tried to seduce him? I shudder to think about how little fifteen-year-old me knew about sex and how that would have played out.

“Well, I don’t know a lot about donkeys and horses,” I find myself saying, “but I’d be happy to volunteer if you’re willing to teach me. I work the weekends, but I could start Tuesday.”

I’m an idiot.

I’m a stripper.

I don’t get up before noon.

I’m pretty certain farm chores start ridiculously early. And honestly, I’ve never been comfortable around large animals like horses and cows. I’m cool with the goats that roam the county and the family of pigs. But horses? Nope! Way too big.

And while I’ve helped a little here and there with Lugh and Jacqueline’s random collection of animals, the largest animal I’ve ever kept alive was Oliver, my childhood cat. I’m not maternal. I’m the fun aunt, not the aunt you leave your kids to in your will. I can barely take care of myself most days.

His face lights up. “I will totally take you up on that. Do you mind if I get your number?”

“N-no,” I stutter and pull out my phone.

“Are those Lugh’s kids?” he asks as a picture of the niblings, Wendy and Jack, lights up my screen.

I unlock it and hand it to him. “Yeah, they’re adorable. I love them, but it couldn’t be me chasing kids all day.”

“So you don’t have any of your own?”

I shake my head. “No. You?”

“No. The ex and I could never get on the same page at the same time about kids, so we never did have any.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were divorced.”

I am totally not sorry.

He shrugs. “That’s the U.S. Army for you. Breaking up relationships since 1775.”

I can’t help but snort an unlady-like laugh and he grins. “And you? Is there a Mr. Sarah at home?”

I smile, thrilled that he’s asking. “No, no, Mr. Sarah. Not even a Mr. Maybe Interested in Sarah.”

He smiles and calls himself from my phone. He waits for the number to show up on the screen, then ends the call. “Now that we’ve got each other’s numbers, I’ll definitely be hitting you up for help.”

I smile back, his smile contagious. “I look forward to it.” It’s a lie, but I can’t bring myself to tell Marcus the truth.

“So, um, I know it’s kinda late, but would you like to come and see the place? Have some coffee? Catch me up on the last twelve years? I don’t have much set up yet, but the coffee maker is up and running.”

My inner fifteen-year-old is about to pass out. Marcus Jones is inviting me back to his place? Alone? It is the stuff my teenage dreams were made of. The candles light up again and I reach out to touch the bracelet to them once again. “I’d love that. Let me just tell my friends.”

He nods. “Alright, I’ll be outside.” I watch him carefully make his way through the tables and chairs before turning back to my friends.

“Who was that?” Ginger asks as I stop at the table to grab my purse.

“Marcus Jones. He was in the Army with Lugh. I had the biggest crush on him in high school.”

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