Page 120 of Where We Fall

She leans in for a kiss. When I woke up this morning, I thought my siblings weren’t being supportive. Little did I know, they were about to give me the best gift I’d ever receive from them. It’s not the new office or them letting me take on this role; it’s the trust they showed that they have in me.

It means the world to me. Because at the end of the day, it’s always been the four of us against the world, and I can’t imagine a life without them.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Lexi

“Howaboutwepickback up tomorrow morning? I don’t want to overload you with too much at once,” I tell Roger.

After interviewing him in Cleveland a week ago, I decided to extend the offer to him for the position.

I look out the window as the sun sets over the Chicago River, the reflection of the buildings running along the water.

It’s been three weeks since we got the surprise visit from Marcus’s siblings, and it’s been like a dream ever since.

Marcus and I hit the ground running, setting up the office with the needed equipment. The printer was just installed this morning, which I think was the last thing on our checklist for now.

It’s been an adjustment for Marcus. He’s still trying to wrap his brain around the fact that they flew out here and handed him his own branch of the company, no questions asked.

I know he feels this immense pressure to exceed their expectations, so I’ve had to try and calm him down a couple of times.

Luckily, I know his weak spot. I have an array of different shades of lipstick in my desk drawer. When I put one on and meander into his office, his eyes turn darker than the midnight sky.

He pushes away from his desk and makes room for me to get on my knees.

I love how much it provides a release of stress for him.

Speak of the devil. He appears at my doorway—dressed to kill in his perfectly tailored grey suit, leaning against the doorframe.

A grin spreads across his face.

“Have I told you how breathtaking you look with that sunset and view right behind you?” he says.

“Only every day,” I reply.

He takes a couple of steps inside. “I can’t help it. I have to say it every time.”

“You seem to be in an awfully good mood right now.”

I lock my computer and stand up. Meeting him in the middle of the room, he takes me in his arms and gives me a soft kiss on the lips.

“I am. I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise? Oooh, what is it?”

He chuckles. “You have to wait and see.”

“Ugh, fine. What do you want to do for dinner?”

I grab my purse, and we head out of my office, stopping to lock my door first. He holds my hand as we walk to the elevator.

We’re on the thirty-second floor. The ride down to the lobby is fast. Marcus leads me to his car. We took a trip to Cleveland last weekend so he could pack some more things from his house and drive his car back.

His house was sold on the day it was put on the market. We have to go back this weekend to pack everything up. We’re going to need another storage unit for his belongings as well.

I’ve been trying not to panic, but we only have a week left on our current lease. Marcus keeps telling me to chill out, that we can move to a hotel for a while if we need to.

I just don’t want to be living out of a hotel for too long. It’s such a waste of money, especially with the cost of a room in the city.

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