Page 37 of Seeing You

“You’re looking a little fierce there, buddy,” Steve said as he stepped up beside him. He looked in the same direction Marcus was and nodded. “This has got to be crazy awkward for you.”

Why deny it?

“Yup.” Turning, he picked up his glass of champagne and drank it down. “It’s not even logical, but…”

“Yeah. I’m sure.” He paused. “It’s been a long time. I mean…how long has it been since you two last saw each other?”

“Monday night,” he said, his eyes never leaving Billie. “We went to dinner.”

“Oh, uh…”

“Before that? Ten years.”

“Ah. I get it now.” Another pause. “Are you hoping to get back together with Billie? Because…that would be…I thought you two…”

“We have unfinished business,” he murmured. “I’ve been trying to get a moment alone with her all night, but she never stands still. Except now when she’s acting all giggly with that groomsman.”

“Kirk’s a great guy. Seriously, one of the best. We’re both…” He looked at Marcus and must have realized he wasn’t helping. “I think I hear Caitlyn calling me. Good luck.”

Alone, Marcus knew he could do one of two things. First, he could get himself something to drink and mingle. He knew most of the people here and it would be fine. The other option would be to walk across the room and insert himself right in the middleof Billie and Kirk and do his damnedest to convince her to give him a few minutes of her time.

He knew the right thing to do.

But he went the other way.

Drinking the last of his champagne, he put the glass down and strode across the room, making a beeline toward where the two of them were still talking. Billie spotted him and immediately frowned, but that just encouraged him.

“Hello, darling,” he said smoothly, moving in close beside her. Glancing at Kirk, he said, “Marcus Calloway. Good to meet you. Have you and Jared been friends long?”

“Uh…Jared’s my cousin,” he replied slowly, curiously looking between him and Billie.

“I was wondering if we could have a moment in private,” he asked silkily. “After the way we left things the other night, I realized there was more to talk about.”

“It was nice meeting you, Billie,” Kirk said with an amiable smile. “Have a good night.” He turned and walked away, blending into the crowd.

“Well, thank God he’s gone, right?” Marcus said with a short laugh.

“Are you insane? Why would you do that? What is wrong with you?”

“I wanted to talk to you, but you’ve been avoiding me.”

“With good reason!” Groaning, she moved away from him. “Seriously, what were you thinking?”

Before he could answer, she stormed away.

“Alrighty then…” Casually, he followed her and was relieved when she walked out of the ballroom. He found her walking down the long hallway. No one else was out there, so he called out, “Could you please just give me a minute? I’d rather not chase you around the hotel!”

Fortunately, that stopped her. Spinning around, she waited for him to catch up. “What could you possibly have to say that was so important that you had to interrupt my conversation with Kyle?”

“Kirk,” he corrected, secretly thrilled that she didn’t really know that guy. “I wanted to tell you I kind of had an…epiphany.”

Hip cocked, arms crossed, she glared at him. “An epiphany? Really?”

Nodding, he told her about what he remembered about the day she left and the days that followed, including trashing his office.

“That’s not an epiphany, Marcus! That’s just yourememberingwhat you did!” Muttering a curse, she paced away for several feet before facing him again. “So, in typical fashion, you didn’t listen to me. You heard what you wanted to hear and then, when you realized you were wrong, you decided to come here and ruin my night!”

“How did I ruin your night?” he demanded, feeling more than a little defensive. “I thought you’d be happy to know that I’m admitting I was wrong! Jeez, there is no winning with you!”

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