Page 7 of Marshall: The Manny

Marshall stared at me for a while but didn’t say anything. When he headed for the refrigerator I told him, “No, you always cook. Let me cater to you for a change.”

“Oh no.” His smile was sexy as he shook his head. “I can’t let you do that, Demi.”

“You can, and you will. If it makes you feel better, I’m not cooking. I’m doing takeout.”

His body relaxed. “Aight, that’s cool. What did you have a taste for?”

“I love Mexican. The spot up the street has the best birria tacos and quesadillas.”

“Sounds good. You can’t have Mexican without tequila though. I’ll be right back.”

Excitement surged through me at the thought of spending time with him. Usually when it was time for dinner, he left me alone. I appreciated the solitude at first, but now, I craved his company.

When he returned, it was with two different bottles of tequila and Jameson.

“I wasn’t sure which you’d prefer, plus, I wanted you to see the bottles weren’t open.”

I smiled. “Seeing as I trust you with my most valuable treasure, I think it’s safe for me to trust you with me too,” I said, pointing to the bottle of reposado.

“Your trust means a lot to me. Thank you.”

We held each other’s gaze for a while before he set the bottles on the table and looked away. Note to self: Donotfall for Marshall the manny.

6

Marshall

“Wait, what? How did that even happen?” I asked through my laugh. We’d finished our food and about half the bottle of tequila, and Demi was telling me about some of the craziest moments she and Denver had since he was born.

“I have no clue. All I know is, I went into the break room to get his bottle out of the refrigerator, and I saw his ass running down the hall naked with his diaper in his hand.”

“To his credit, it sounded like it was time for it to be changed, Demi.”

She fell over in laughter, and seeing her happy and relaxed was such a beautiful state.

“Maybe, but that was the day I decided he couldn’t come back to the office anymore.”

Our laughter continued for a moment longer before I felt the urge to be honest with her. It would probably shift the mood, but I had to be honest.

“Listen… I want to ask you something, but you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“Uh oh. This sounds serious.” She straightened her back and dropped her smile, but that made me smile harder.

“I’m just wondering is there a chance I have to worry about his father popping up and laying claim to the both of you.” When her mouth opened and snapped shut, I continued. “I love being here with the both of you. You mean a lot to me, and I feel myself growing protective of and attached to you. I guess I just want to be prepared.”

Demi cupped her hands briefly before giving me a sad smile. Her head shook as she poured herself a shot of tequila. We were in the home theater, and though it was our plan to watchRush Hour, it was watching us as we talked.

After taking the shot she confessed, “He signed over his rights, so no. I’m the only parent my son has.”

I wasn’t expecting her to get emotional, but when her eyes watered, I resisted the urge to pull her into my arms. Instead, I held her hand.

“Talk to me. What’s going on in here,” I asked, gently tapping her mind.

“I failed Denny. I should have chosen better. He needs a father, and Andre chose not to be in his life.”

“You didn’t know that would happen. Don’t blame yourself. He will not miss the lack of his biological father in his life, and neither will you. He’s not a loss for y’all. You would have been a prize for his gain. Not the other way around.”

Her eyes dried and she smiled before tugging her bottom lip into her mouth.

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