Page 11 of Marshall: The Manny

“I’d love for you to.”

“Good.”

Denver’s voice came through the monitor, and I set my coffee down to go get him. I spent a little time with him alone before freshening him up and heading to the kitchen. By that time, Marshall was done with breakfast. As soon as Denver saw him, he lit up.

“Mar-cho!” Hearing him say Marshall’s name made me smile as it always did.

“Wassup, little man? How’d you sleep?”

Marshall dropped a kiss to Denver’s cheek, and Denver shimmied in my arms. He reached for Marshall, and Marshall didn’t hesitate to grab him. I asked Marshall to eat with me and he did, feeding Denver from his plate as he held him. The moment was one I’d cherish forever. It felt like our little family was complete.

After breakfast, Denver and I read a book then watched TV until it was time for me to take him to my parents. I was honestly looking forward to pigging out and watching movies with Marshall for the rest of the day.

Sunday

After picking Denny up,Marshall and I took him to the park. Then, we went to the farmer’s market. As we shopped, tried samples, and got fresh fruit, people continuously smiled at us. A few people stopped and told us we made a beautiful family. Every time they did, Marshall would thank them and put his hand on the small of my back. Every time he did, it made my nipples harden as chills covered my arms.

I didn’t mention it, but it was cute. I wondered if he was doing it to be polite or if his feelings were changing like mine were. A part of me wanted to talk to him about it but I didn’t have the courage.

Denny fell asleep on the ride home and Marshall offered to put him in bed. That was fine, because I was in desperate need of a glass of wine. I wasn’t sure if he planned to stick around, so I got him a glass down, but I didn’t pour anything into it.

I didn’t realize I was staring into my glass until the warmth of Marshall’s body could be felt behind me.

“You okay?” he checked, turning me to face him by my elbow.

“Yes, but… I did have a question.”

“What is it?”

“At the market… when those three people said we made a beautiful family.” He smiled as his shoulders relaxed. “Why didn’t you correct them?”

“Because… for a moment… I wanted to pretend we were.”

“You like me?” I asked quietly, trying my hardest not to blush. Internally, my heart was beating like a drum.

Marshall laughed softly. “Yeah, I do.” He took my hands into his. “I’ve been trying to keep things professional between us, but I do think about how things could be if we took things to a personal level. If you don’t want that, it won’t change anythingbetween us. It will also not change the way I care for my little man. So there’s absolutely no pressure.”

“Oh, wow.” I felt like maybe he liked me, but I wasn’t sure because he hadn’t said anything. Hearing him say the words made me feel all warm and mushy inside. “I—” Clearing my throat, I chuckled. “I like you too.”

His large hands covered my neck, and he tilted my head. “Tell me what you want to do. Do you want to explore this… us?”

Chewing my cheek, I considered his question. The answer my heart wanted to give was yes. The answer my mind wanted to give was no. Marshall was godsent. Romantic love was so fickle. I didn’t want anything that happened between us to change the new normal we’d established for Denny. It felt like we had a true partnership. I could tell my son loved having Marshall around, and I didn’t want us to ruin that.

With all that truth, I couldn’t deny how I felt being cared for by him too. I knew a lot of what Marshall did for me went beyond his role. Hearing him finally say he liked me confirmed that. I didn’t want to be cliché and deny myself of what made me happy for an unknown factor in the future. The happier I was, the better of a mom I would be. And I could honestly say spending time with Marshall made me happy. Who knew how that would change if we actually took things to the next level?

“I want to explore us, but only if you promise that no matter what happens it won’t change the way you show up for my son. We need you, and I don’t want us not working romantically to take you away from us… especially him.”

“I give you my word, Demi. I’ll never leave him. I promise.”

My eyes watered as I nodded and gritted my teeth. That meant more to me than Marshall would ever know. With Andre signing over his rights, I knew the man I chose to marry would have the honor of being the only father my son would ever know. However, the pressure of choosing that man paralyzed me andleft me with no desire to date because I didn’t want to choose wrong again. Plus, work was my biggest priority other than my son. Even with options over the years, I didn’t think there was a man who could treat my son better than Marshall did—not even his biological father.

“Okay,” I agreed softly. My cheeks lifted as I grinned. “We can try.”

Marshall lowered himself, and I thought he was about to kiss me, but he paused. “Oh, and I want to make clear, I intend to make you fall in love with me. After I do, I won’t leave you either.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but he kissed me. My body melted against him. A sigh of contentment slipped from my mouth into his as he wrapped his arms around me. I’d never felt the way I felt now, kissing him, ever in my life. If I had to describe it, being in his arms and on his lips felt like… rest.

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