Page 73 of All You Need Is Love

Carlotta sputtered at Quinn’s response. “Well, I never …”

“Quinn.” Shannon looked at her sister, shook her head, but couldn’t help a smile.

“All right, fine.” Glaring at Carlotta once more, Quinn tugged Shannon out of line and raised her voice. “Let’s eat somewhere else. It stinks in here—no offense, Miss Josephine!”

“Come here, sugars,” the sweet owner called. They turned and found her waving a to-go bag, her own version of a glare fixed on the ring of gossips. “I saw you coming and got this going for you.”

Bless her. As Quinn stepped forward to grab the bag from Miss Josephine, Carlotta’s voice lifted above the crowd. “Never would have figured little Shannon Baker for a home-wrecker, would you, ladies?”

It took everything in Shannon not to run.

“Hard to be a home-wrecker when I was never with Quinn in the first place.”

What? His was the last voice in the world she’d expected to hear. Shannon whirled to find Marshall standing toe to toe with Carlotta.

The gossip tossed him a wide-eyed stare. “Just what are you talking about?”

By now, practically everyone in the front part of the restaurant was quiet, their attention fixed on the commotion.

“I only pretended to be Quinn’s boyfriend.”

Shannon gave a slight shake of her head. “Marshall. Don’t.” She couldn’t say more than that because what was he doing here?

And why, after knowing him so short a time, after he’d left without a word, did her entire being long to run to him, throw herself in his arms, and beg him to stay?

“Yes, Marshall. Do.” Her sister waltzed toward Carlotta. “Everything he’s saying is the truth. He was just a coworker doing me a favor. But when he met my sister, he couldn’t help himself. Of course he fell in love with her.”

Quinn winked at Shannon, whose cheeks burned. Her sister shouldn’t be saying things like that. Shannon didn’t know what Marshall was doing here, but his actions weeks ago had made one thing very clear—he definitely wasn’t in love with her.

He wouldn’t have left with Quinn if he were. Wouldn’t have left without a trace, a word. Something.

Then again, she’d let her own fears get the better of her. Perhaps he had too.

Or maybe she was overthinking all of it.

But the way he was looking at her, his gaze intense, searing her to the floor so she couldn’t move …

And he was here. What did it all mean?

“Quinn, while I appreciate the backup, I’d like the floor if you don’t mind.”

Smiling, Quinn stepped aside and gestured toward the open spot between Marshall and Shannon. “It’s all yours.”

“Thank you.” Marshall strode toward Shannon. “The truth is, I came here a month ago with one goal in mind—to help Quinn, yes, but to help myself too.” He spoke loudly, to the crowd, but his eyes remained fixed on her.

She swallowed hard.

Marshall continued. “But I had a problem. Because despite the fact I had committed to helping Quinn, I found myself drawn to Shannon. And without even trying, she’s the one who stole my heart.”

He stepped closer, and the surrounding smells of cake and roast beef faded as the scent of his cologne enveloped her. Marshall lifted a hand and caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “I know I screwed up by leaving—I know that—but do you think …” His voice lowered, the next words meant only for her. “Do you think you could ever forgive me?”

Was this real? “I …” She shut her eyes, then opened them. Yep. He was still there. “You’re back. Why are you back? And why did you leave?”

Marshall brought his face even nearer. “I’m so sorry for that. I was afraid.”

“Of what?”

“That you’d break my heart.” He coughed. “That I wasn’t enough for you.”

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