Page 33 of The Mountains Edge

"You could just tell me what everyone's up to," I suggest.

"Could." He takes another sip. "Won't."

"Traitor."

His chuckle follows me to the back room where I'm cataloging Marcus's latest pieces. His work has evolved since we got together – wilder but softer somehow. Like he's finally letting his soul show through the wood.

My phone buzzes. Jake asking if Marcus is here.Workshop. Plotting something. You know what it is?I answer.

His response makes me suspicious:Can you check on him??

Should I be worried?

Nah. Just brotherhood stuff.He replies.

Right. Because that's not suspicious at all.

I head up to Marcus's workshop, planning to investigate, but the sight of him working stops me in the doorway.

He's shirtless despite the autumn chill, sawdust clinging to sweat-dampened skin as he carves. The scars I've memorized with my fingers catch morning light. He's muttering to himself, completely lost in creation.

God, I love him.

"You're staring." His voice is gravel-rough.

"You're worth staring at."

He looks up, grey eyes softening the way they only do for me. "C'mere."

His hands are gentle despite their calluses as he pulls me close.

"Hi." I kiss his chest, right over his heart.

"Hi yourself." He buries his face in my hair. "Missed you."

"Saw me an hour ago."

"Too long."

I melt a little. He's not normally this openly affectionate during work hours.

"Everything okay?" I trace his scars. "You've been... different lately."

His heart speeds up under my fingers. "Different how?"

"Distracted.”

He laughs roughly. "Noticed that, huh?"

"Hard to miss." I pull back to study his face. "Want to tell me what's going on?"

Something flashes in his eyes – nervousness? Before he can answer, his phone buzzes.

It's Jake again. Marcus reads the message and relaxes slightly.

"Come up the mountain with me?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Now?"

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