Troublemaker (Songbird #6)

by Melissa Pearl

  She bristled, her nostrils flaring slightly. “May I suggest you be a little more thoughtful with your selection next time.”

  The way she clipped her words when she talked was kinda cute. I snickered. “I just chose upbeat, cheerful—”

  “Oh, please! I know what you’re trying to imply. You think I’m that kind of girl,” she snapped. “Afraid of falling in love.”

  I took a slow breath and looked at her. “Well, you are.”

  Her mouth fell open with an incredulous frown. “You’re not supposed to tell me that. Honestly, no wonder Allison dumped you. You don’t know anything about women.”

  It was a low blow, and a big fat lie. Allison hadn’t dumped me, just like I hadn’t dumped her. The split had been mutual and amicable, something I guessed Kelly knew nothing about. She’d been wounded. Her expression screamed pain, and the only thing to dampen that look was a brief flash of remorse. She pulled her expression into line and swallowed, pressing her lips against the apology she owed me.

  I wasn’t about to call her on it. Instead, I picked up my pen and tapped it on my desk.

  “I know I’m not the suave, sophisticated guy you’re used to, but I do know a thing or two about women. For instance, I know they need to be treated with respect, and respect without honesty is worthless. So yeah, I am going to call you on your bullshit. You are afraid. You’re petrified of falling in love. Now, you might not be ready to tell me why, but I want to prove to you that love doesn’t have to be treacherous. Love is supposed to make you happy, make you smile and laugh…make you feel safe.”

  My words were doing something to her. She went really quiet as I spoke, her arms dropping to her sides as she backed away from my desk. Her head was shaking like she didn’t want to buy into what I was saying.

  Her finger trembled when she raised it at me. “You don’t want to say that to me.”

  “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I do.”

  “No. You don’t know me, Marcus! You don’t know what I’m really like. I was horrible to you in high school. I’m a mean cow!”

  I could see what she was trying to do…just like she had on Friday night, finding some way to put me off. It wasn’t going to work.

  I smiled. “Beef’s my favorite kind of meat.”

  The corners of her mouth curled up, but she bit her lips together to stop the smile forming. Blinking rapidly, she looked to the floor and tried again. “I yell. I curse like a sailor when I’m really mad.”

  “One of my best friends in college had Tourette’s, so I think I’ll be okay.”

  She frowned, her perfect features wrinkling. “I…I’m cold, like an ice queen.” Her eyelids fluttered when she said the words, like they were somehow painful.

  I spun the pen in my hand and cocked my head to the side. “I don’t think that’s actually true, but I’ll wear my winter jacket…just in case.” A slow, hopeful smile spread over my lips.

  The scowl she was wearing deepened, the look in her eyes more desperate. Finally, she let out a loud huff and rattled off a string of mumbled curses before placing her hands on her hips and barking, “Dammit, are you free tonight?”

  A smile bloomed across my face, making it hard to say anything.

  I nodded.

  Her lips twitched and she looked to the ceiling. “Okay, well, maybe we could do a movie or something.”

  “Sounds good.” The triumph pulsing through me was hard to hide, so I didn’t bother. I let out a giddy chortle.

  “Shut up.” She snickered. “What time are you going to pick me up?”

  “Hey, you invited me out. I think it’s only fair that you collect me.”

  Her nose wrinkled. “You know, for a gentleman, you’re really not that sophisticated.”

  “Maybe that’s one of the reasons why you like me so much.” I shrugged. Her eyes flashed with chagrin, and her lips formed a thoughtful pout like she was once again battling it out on the inside. I started worrying I’d put my foot in it again and quickly spoke before she could renege on her offer. “Seven works for me.” I ripped off the corner of my daily planner page and scribbled down my address.

  She tentatively retraced her steps and snatched the paper from my hand. “Seven it is then.”

  “What should I wear?” I tipped my head with a playful smirk.

  She rolled her eyes and headed for the door. “Wear whatever the hell you want.”

  I laughed as the door flicked open and she disappeared through it. My heart was skipping a beat as I leaned back in my chair and grinned up at the ceiling.

  A third date with the girl of my dreams.

  I had no idea what it held. All I knew was that the hours couldn’t tick by fast enough.

  Chapter Thirty

  Kelly

  Sweating fingers.

  It was my best indicator that I was stupidly nervous walking up Marcus’s front path. My nude pumps clicked on the concrete as I edged toward the front door. Marcia had told me he owned the little bungalow. It was cute and simple—a Spanish-style box with slate roofing and flax bushes lining the edge. I walked through the rounded archway and held my breath as I rang the doorbell.

  I didn’t know why I’d agreed to another date. It was insanity. But Marcus had been so incredibly adorable with his argument that I found myself arranging the date before I even knew what I was doing.

  He’d wear his winter coat.

  I shook my head with a soft chuckle before running a hand down my navy skinny jeans. They were rolled at the bottom to show off my skinny ankles, and I’d matched them with a sleeveless, purple top that hugged my middle. It was cool enough to need a jacket, so I wore my brown fitted leather and finished off the ensemble with dangly, round earrings that had an Aztec look about them.

  I left the apartment feeling sexy and confident. I arrived at Marcus’s door with sweaty fingers and rattling innards. What the hell was my problem?

  “Maybe it’s because this is the worst idea ever,” I muttered.

  The door opened to reveal Marcus decked out in full clown suit—red and white stripy pants, a bright yellow vest, and rainbow wig. He was even wearing a red nose that I’m sure if I squeezed would make a loud, honking sound.

  I placed my hands on my hips and narrowed my eyes at him.

  He smiled. “You ready to go?”

  He made a move to step out the door, but I stopped him with a hand to his chest. “What are you wearing?”

  “You told me to wear whatever the hell I wanted.” He grinned.

  “No.” I shook my head.

  His clown nose drooped as he pulled his lips into a sad pout. “No?”

  “No, you look ridiculous.” I started to laugh but cut the sound short with a frown. “You are not leaving the house like that. Or should I say, we will not be seen in public together if you leave the house like that.”

  “Aw, come on. It’s funny. People will laugh.”

  “I’m not interested in making people laugh.” My voice started to tremble as giggles got the better of me. I dipped my head and covered my mouth, determined not to snort like I had in the restaurant.

  Marcus started to chuckle—a deep, sexy sound that I felt in my core.

  “Oh, all right. Come in, I’ll go change.”

  “Thank you.” I followed him inside, letting the laughter break free as he did a few dance moves then bopped out of the room. “Such a clown,” I murmured, my cheeks still blazing.

  Placing my Fendi handbag on the side table, I scanned the living room. It was a simple, neat space filled with a mishmash of what looked to be secondhand furniture. The coffee table had a chip in the corner and the tartan couch was covered with a burnt-orange throw rug. The carpet looked new. I dug the point of my shoes into it then jumped when I spotted a flash of movement. It scurried past me then darted under the sofa.

  “What the…”

  A scratch from the doorway made me yelp, and that was when I spotted another little creature—a ginger cat with curious blue eyes. I pointed at the sofa
.

  “Were you just…?” My question was answered when a tabby cat darted into view, jumping up and playfully knocking into the ginger cat.

  “Flash!” Marcus clicked his fingers. “Leave your sister alone.”

  The cat ignored the command and bumped into the ginger cat again, until she squawked and swiped at his face. She knocked him down, and they started a quick tussle that I shied away from.

  “Pumpkin, stop.” Marcus appeared in the doorway. He was wearing faded blue jeans and a checkered shirt that still needed buttoning. I glanced away from his firm chest as he pried the two cats away from each other. “They’ve been play-fighting a lot lately.” He shook his head then turned back to his cats. “Which is all well and good until someone gets hurt, right?”

  He lifted them into his arms and walked toward me, brushing his nose through the top of Pumpkin’s head. She purred.

  “So, these are my kids.” He grinned. “Pumpkin has just turned six months old, and Flash will be seven months next week.”

  I tinkled my fingers at them. “Hey, guys.” Then Marcus freaked me out by passing me the orange one. “Uh.”

  “It’s okay, she’s the calm one.” He winked.

  I took her in my arms, and she squirmed for only a moment then settled in with what sounded like a happy cat sigh. I tentatively stroked her head as I walked to the couch and perched on the edge.

  Marcus snickered. “You nervous?”

  I glanced away from his assessing gaze.

  “I just…” I shrugged. “I’m not used to animals. My mom, she…” I shook my head, not wanting to bring her into Marcus’s house. “I didn’t figure you for a pet man.”

  “Yeah, me, neither.” Marcus dropped a wriggling Flash to the floor. He darted off. “My sister volunteers at an animal shelter on the weekends. I went to pick her up one time and these two little guys were there. They needed a home, and I couldn’t resist.”

  The gooey look in his eyes gave away what a softie he was.

  “They’re good company, and they’ve become little buddies. I like having them around.” He started buttoning his shirt and I glanced down at Pumpkin. She was purring in my lap, making a rhythmic, soothing sound.

  “So, what movie do you want to go to?”

  I glanced up. His shirt was buttoned, and he looked pretty damn good in the casual ensemble. I gazed back down at the cat on my knee and then shrugged. “Do you just want to stay here? We could order takeout or something.”

  “Okay.” He grinned. “I’ll grab the phone. Can I get you a drink while I’m in the kitchen? I’ve got beer or pineapple juice.”

  “Just water will be fine, thanks.” I didn’t feel like drinking, which was weird for me, but I wanted to keep my wits about me. The idea of a relaxed, casual night with Marcus and two cats for company was oddly appealing, and that freaked me out. I kicked off my heels and gently shrugged out of my jacket, laying it neatly on the spare chair before snuggling onto the sofa.

  I tucked my feet beneath me and resettled Pumpkin on my lap. She purred as I ran my fingers through her soft fur. Her rhythmic vibrations made me smile.

  Marcus’s place was so different from my apartment. It was cozy and sweet. Mine was meticulous and…cold. I studied the photos on the walls and the framed family shots cluttering up the bookshelf. There was a messy order to the place…so Marcus.

  He set a water bottle on the coffee table then ran his thumb over the phone. “You like sushi?”

  “I love sushi.” My eyes popped wide. “You eat sushi?”

  He punched in some numbers and lifted the phone to his ear, throwing me a confused frown. “Why wouldn’t I eat sushi?”

  I shrugged, unsure why I’d made that judgment. I’d always pictured him as a pizza and soda kind of guy. That was what he’d eaten at Disneyland.

  He placed the order, rattling off a list of goodies that all sounded divine, before placing the phone on the bookshelf and switching on some music.

  “Troublemaker” by Olly Murs started playing.

  I grinned. “I love this song.”

  Marcus flopped onto the couch beside me and rested his foot on the coffee table. “Yeah? It always makes me think of you.”

  I scowled at him and he just laughed. “You must know how hard I’ve been trying. We’re talking years of pining here. Even though I dated Allison right through college, you were always in the back of my mind. Always.”

  My throat was thick and gummy when I tried to swallow. “I don’t understand it. I’ve never given you reason to like me.”

  “You didn’t need to. One look and I was gone.” His expression was so sweet I wanted to kiss him again.

  I pulled away from the idea and wrinkled my nose at him. “Yeah, I get it. I’m pretty.”

  “No, it’s more than that.” He shuffled to face me. “I didn’t know you that well in high school, but I used to watch you all the time.”

  “Stalker,” I murmured then winked at him.

  He groaned. “Oh man, probably! I swear I never came to your house, though, okay?”

  I laughed.

  “But we have something, Kel. I can feel it.” He took a swig of beer and nestled into the sofa cushions. “We like the same kind of music. There’s a good start.”

  “How do you know what music I like?”

  “Oh please, you are always singing and dancing to the songs I send you each morning.” I pointed at her. “Admit it, you love poppy dance music.”

  I flushed and dipped my head with a rueful grin.

  “See.” He nudged me with his elbow. “We’re a match made in Heaven.”

  I rolled my eyes at his cheesy line but didn’t refute it. Being with him, in the little bungalow in Culver City, felt so easy and comfortable.

  Marcus started chatting about work for a few minutes, but it quickly progressed into other things. Takeout arrived in a flash, and we laughed our way through the sushi dinner, playing a game of “What would you do if…” Some of Marcus’s scenarios were hilarious. I’d giggle and he’d go on to elaborate with stories from his childhood. The antics he’d gotten up to with his brother had me in stitches. My stomach was actually hurting by the end of the meal.

  I laid my plate on the coffee table and giggled again. Uncontrollable twitches kept assaulting my belly, and a fresh wave of laughter would start. It was so embarrassing, but it also felt damn good. Scarlett and Isla were the only ones who’d ever made me laugh that way before, and we hadn’t had a chance to get that silly since high school. College had hardly been a hotbed of humor.

  Thoughts of Fletcher’s withering look and my mother’s disapproving scowl sobered me up. I cleared my throat and leaned back into the cushions, dabbing my lips with a paper napkin.

  “You okay?” Marcus washed down his food with the last of his beer.

  I nodded. “This is…nice.”

  “Nice?” He handed me the glass of pineapple juice I’d asked for mid-meal. “Come on, you can do better than that, can’t ya?”

  I took the glass and had a few sips before placing it down and gazing across the room at Pumpkin and Flash. They were snuggled up in their little bed, oblivious to the world. They looked so happy and content. How was it possible to envy cats?

  “It’s different,” I whispered. “It’s light, it’s fun, it’s…”

  “What happened to you in college?”

  His soft question caught me off guard. I flinched in his direction, my eyes large, my breaths punchy. I gripped my hands together and swallowed, wondering how quickly I could grab my jacket and bolt from the room.

  “Hey, it’s okay.” Marcus brushed the backs of his fingers down my arm. “You’re not ready. That’s all right.”

  I flashed him a glance and felt the effects of his sweet smile.

  He tipped his head to look at me. “Do you miss business studies?”

  “No.” I answered way too fast.

  His eyebrows rose, and he gave me a curious smile.

  My chest deflated with a
sigh. “I was only taking it because my father wanted me to. I’m the heiress to the Echelon Fashion empire, and I need to be able to run the business. My mother is determined for me to marry someone who can help expand the company. I need to understand enough so that we can work together and make the empire even bigger.” I flicked my hand in the air and let out a cynical laugh. “Because you think small and insignificant when you say the word empire, right?”

  Marcus didn’t respond to the way I spat out my question. His gaze was kind and truth-inducing, so I foolishly kept going.

  “The thing is, it doesn’t matter what I learn. At the end of the day, I’m there for show. When I’m forced to take over, there’ll be a room full of business-savvy executives who will do all the work for me. My only role is to make the company look good. That’s it.” I shrugged. “That’s all I’m ever good for. I’m an ornament.” I didn’t realize I was snapping out the words so harshly until the following silence engulfed me.

  Marcus’s compassionate stare drilled into me and tears smarted. I blinked and looked away from him.

  “That’s why I never got serious with anyone in high school, because I thought they only wanted me for my body and my money. I was right, too. They…” I shook my head. “I was popular because of who I represented, not who I really was.”

  Marcus didn’t say anything, just keep looking at me like he already understood and I was the one who was late to catch up with the news. It compelled me to keep talking. The words tumbled out in a shaky torrent of realization.

  “In college, I found the perfect guy. I was a freshman and he was a junior and…he was smart and handsome. He came from a wealthy family, so I knew he wasn’t after my money. He seemed to really like me, you know? And my mother approved, of course. She was already picking out wedding dresses.” Brittle laughter shot out of me. It was a hard, ugly sound that I quickly gulped back. “I tried to be everything they both wanted me to be, but…” I shrugged. “I wasn’t enough. He chose someone else. A girl who could give him more than just a pretty face. I look good on someone’s arm, but that’s it. I don’t know how to be more than an ornament.”