by Marci Bolden
Now he was that close again, and the urge to lean into him was nearly irresistible.
His smile faded, easing the deep lines around his eyes, and she did that stupid sighing thing again. Clearing her throat—again—she focused on the food.
“Chips,” she said. “I was…getting more chips.”
“Let me help—”
“No,” she snapped, but then tried to cover by softly laughing. “Go back out there. Enjoy the party.”
“This is Mallory’s party. You go enjoy it. You deserve to celebrate along with her.”
Her cheeks heated. That affectionate tone struck a chord it shouldn’t, and her heart picked up its pace.
She lifted the chips. “I’ll just take these out and then enjoy the party.”
“Wait,” he said.
The warmth of his hand gently grabbing her elbow spread like wildfire through her. She’d barely gotten control after his touch a minutes ago. Was he trying to kill her?
“Annie, I think we should—”
The swinging door to the kitchen opened. Annie’s sister-in-law, Donna, stopped in her tracks and looked from Marcus to Annie, then back to Marcus.
Donna smirked a bit. “Sorry. I, um, I thought this was the bathroom.”
Annie drew her eyebrows together. “That’s the best you can do?”
Donna giggled and disappeared, probably to run off and tell their family all about whatever she thought she’d just walked in on.
Marcus laughed quietly as the door swung closed. “Uh-oh. The gossip wheels are turning.”
Annie heaved a sigh—this time with frustration instead of whatever it was that made her exhale heavily when Marcus looked at her. “If Donna weren’t gossiping, I’d be worried something was wrong with her.”
“I’m sorry.”
She wasn’t. Okay, maybe a little, but only because she didn’t want to deal with her family questioning her about her relationship with Marcus. They were convinced that just because they were all happily paired off, she should be, too. Worse, none of them saw anything wrong with Annie dating Marcus. Not that they were dating. Not even close. They were just co-workers—friends—who shared dinner a few nights a week. And lunch a few times a week. And attended events such as Mallory’s graduation together.
And who shared a habit of staring awkwardly at each other.
She really wished her siblings hadn’t started dropping not-so-subtle hints about Marcus liking her. She hadn’t been this bumbling mess around him until the first time Donna and Dianna teased her about how Marcus looked at her. Hell, she hadn’t even noticed he looked at her at all. Then Paul and Matt got on board, telling her what a great guy Marcus was. As if she needed them to tell her that. She knew Marcus was great. That was why she had hired him.
That, and his stupid smile that made her stomach twist around itself.
She lowered her face and closed her eyes for a moment.
“Better refill the chip bowl,” he said.
Annie lifted her face. “Hmm?”
He jerked his head toward the living room. “The chip bowl.”
She looked at the bag in her hand for a second. “Oh. Right. Chip bowl.” A strange half-laugh sound left her. “Right.” She left Marcus and pushed the door open as she went back to the party. She ignored Donna and Dianna and frowned at the chip bowl that didn’t need to be filled.
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Message from Author
So many people have helped me along the way, but none as much as my husband who has shown unwavering support, even in the toughest times. Thank you.
Also by Marci Bolden
Stonehill Series:
The Road Leads Back
Friends Without Benefits
The Forgotten Path
Jessica's Wish
This Old Cafe
Forever Yours (coming soon)
Other Titles:
Unforgettable You (coming soon)
A Life Without Water (coming soon)
About the Author
As a teen, Marci Bolden skipped over young adult books and jumped right into reading romance novels. She never left.
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Marci lives in the Midwest with her husband, kiddos, and numerous rescue pets. If she had an ounce of willpower, Marci would embrace healthy living, but until cupcakes and wine are no longer available at the local market, she will appease her guilt by reading self-help books and promising to join a gym “soon.”
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Visit her here:
www.marcibolden.com
