Their three-year relationship had been stormy and passionate. Not a day went by since he left she didn’t think about him for six long months. She had destroyed every photograph she found of him and the two of them. Cut them into small pieces or put them through the shredder.
Looking at him now, a wave of relief washed over her. Relief she wasn’t married to him and she’d gotten out before it was two kids too late.
And despite her wish not to, her gaze made a beeline for his left hand and found the ring finger devoid of a gold band. A sense of satisfaction went through her, glad to see he hadn’t found anyone else because she knew in her mind no one would be as good as her.
“Now, now.” He flashed a grin, as if he thought she was kidding. “Aren’t you going to ask me how I am?”
“No,” she said, the word acid on her tongue. “Why should I?”
“I’m good, thanks,” he said without missing a beat.
Oh, yes. She hated him.
As the lump emerged in Marion’s throat, the waiter appeared, his white apron tied around his hips, a wavering contrast to the black pants and shirt.
“Bonjour, Monsieur Baxter. May I take your order?”
Marion glanced up at the waiter with an imploring help me look. But his attention was focused on Ethan. He ordered coffee, orange juice and eggs Benedict then turned to her when the waiter disappeared. He leaned his forearm on the table again and gave her a thorough once over.
His gaze dropped down the length of her, paused at her breasts and then came back up to her face. He gave her a knowing grin. She couldn’t stop the shudder that went through her at that lascivious gaze.
“Get a good look because that’s all you’re going to get.”
His mouth still quirked in a grin. The bastard. “And I have to say, Marion, you do look great. I’ve missed you.”
She clutched the napkin in her fist, trying to remain completely calm but her emotions wanted to erupt. She bit her lip to keep from blurting out the questions she wanted to ask. How was it he had the nerve to sit there and look at her like that? To tell her how great she looked when only six months ago they were moments away from pledging forever?
“I haven’t missed you. Do you have any idea how much cash my parents and I dropped on that wedding? Or how humiliating it was to tell people to go home because there wasn’t going to be a wedding?” She lost her control, unable to stop the words that came in a flood. And somehow, she didn’t care. He was a prick and he deserved to hurt as much as she had.
“I know I hurt you—”
“Suck it.”
His expression turned from cocky to one of the boy who lost his puppy. Good. She wanted to cause him as much pain as he caused her.
She couldn’t believe she would be forced to finish her brunch with the very man who walked out on her. Why hadn’t she thought to ask for the check? On second thought, she could drop the cash on the table and run. She stared at a half-eaten piece of bacon and held her breath, trying to keep the other half from coming back up.
“Did you come here to dredge it all up again? I’m over it. I’m over you. In fact, I’m seeing someone.” Her breath caught. What in the devil made her tell that lie? “And it’s serious.” Another lie. “Very serious. In fact, we’re moving in together.”
Good God, Marion. Can you shut your damn mouth? She clenched the napkin tighter, making her hand ache. What the hell was wrong with her?
He pursed his lips the way he did when he had nothing else to say. They formed a thin straight line making them all but disappear. She forgot how much she detested that.
“I didn’t know…” His words drifted away. His shoulders slumped in defeat.
She wanted to stand up and shout her triumph. She hoped her lie was as good as any punch in the gut.
“Of course you didn’t. How could you?” she snapped, feeling the rage bubble inside her. She reached for her handbag and clutched it under her arm. “You were busy with everything else in your life and made it very clear I wasn’t that important to you. Oh, and need we mention the woman I found you in bed with?”
And that was only a day after they were supposed to get married. She had gone to move her stuff out, thinking he’d be at work when she walked in on them. Again he was silent with that same pursed-lip look.
“I thought not,” she continued. “You’re the one who left me standing at the church in the big white dress. And by the way, since you’ve ruined my brunch, you can pay for it.” Her chair scraped against the pavement when she stood and she flung her napkin in the seat.
To her horror, he stood with her. “Marion, wait. I want you back.”
“Too bad!” His face paled at her raised voice and she knew she attracted the attention of several other patrons. She also knew he hated outbursts of emotions in public and unnecessary attention being drawn to him. “You had your chance with me, buddy, and you blew it. You couldn’t even break off our wedding in person. Instead you had to send someone else to do your dirty work. No explanation, no nothing other than a little note. Did you write that yourself, or did you have someone else do it for you too?”
He shoved his hands into his pockets, looking forlorn and defeated. His shoulders drooped, his gaze shifted downward. She resisted the urge to slap him. When he didn’t respond, Marion took a step toward the sidewalk. He caught her arm, his damp hand like a vice grip on her bicep and she paused, staring into those chestnut brown eyes that seemed to challenge her.
She tensed her arm and glanced down at his hand. “You can remove your hand now, or I’ll remove it for you. You have no right to touch me any longer.”
“Marion, let me explain.”
Okay, so that’s the way this was going to go. She tried to jerk her arm free but he held fast. “It’s too late for that.” That familiar burning in the back of throat signaled tears. She choked them back—he wasn’t worth any more of her tears.
“Is there a problem here?”
She turned from Ethan to see a man standing a few feet away on the sidewalk. Her savior had several inches over her five-foot-six height. His glittering green eyes signaled warning.
“No problem,” Ethan said.
“I suggest you let go of the lady,” the stranger said. His tone said he meant business.
Ethan gave him a long, cool look that said, make me. She held her breath, waiting for the two to get into a fight here on the street. Instead, Ethan released her arm and she smoothed her shirt against her hips.
“Goodbye, Ethan.” Marion turned and walked away, trying to remain as dignified as possible.
To her utter surprise, the stranger fell in step beside her.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Just an ex-boyfriend.” She waved Ethan away with a shaky hand as though swatting a fly.
“I thought so. You’re shaking. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Despite her efforts to keep her emotions in check, her nerves were raw as though she’d been through the wringer. She paused a block from Bonjour Café to look at the man who insisted on following her. He had dark wavy hair and green eyes. She liked him right away. Any man willing to defend a woman’s honor had to be all right.
“I’m sure.” She granted him a smile, glancing up at him as he towered over her. He was taller than she guessed.
“How about I buy you a cup of coffee? I happen to know a great place.” He thumbed to the coffee house behind him and winked. “And my mother owns the joint.”
Marion glanced up and wondered why she had never noticed it before. The Bitter End Coffee House sat nestled on the bottom floor of a renovated building at the corner of Main Street and Fourth. And suddenly it struck her. Here was a nice looking, honorable man asking to buy her a cup of coffee. How could she say no? And…her devious mind thought it would be good if Ethan saw her with another man.
“Yes, I think you can.”
“Great.” His face, shaded by a day’s growth, broke into a wide smile, showing off two deep dimples. “Ma
rk Sawyer.”
“Marion Parker.” She extended her hand and they shook like old friends.
He pushed open the door and she entered, her heels clicking on the shiny wood floor. There were a few patrons inside the cozy coffee house and she inhaled the heady aroma of coffee and baked goods. Cinnamon, nutmeg and other yummy scents filled her nose. There was a glass case full of delectable delights—everything from pound cake to honey buns to cookies and scones. She even spied slices of cheesecake.
Mark paused at the counter, leaning toward the young woman with long flowing blonde hair and a nametag that read Cara.
“Hey, doll,” he greeted the girl and she grinned at him. A familiar grin that said she was abundantly happy to see him.
“You took your sweet time getting out of bed this morning.” She handed the customer in front of Marion his change, who then headed down the bar to the barista for his coffee.
“That’s your fault.” He leered at her across the counter. “This is Marion. Get her whatever she wants on me.”
“You got it, sir,” she replied and winked at him. Then to Marion, “What’ll it be?”
“A latte, please.” Cara was already reaching for a cup before she could get the words out.
Marion turned to Mark, who planted a kiss on Cara’s cheek.
“Enjoy,” he said before heading around the counter.
“Thank you,” Marion said, wishing she had a man who looked at her like that.
“Stay as long as you like,” he said, heading for the back office.
Moments later, as Marion grasped the warm cup of coffee, she turned to find someone she knew sitting in a corner of the coffee house. Graeme Butler hadn’t noticed her entrance since he had his head buried in his laptop.
The blood drained from her head, pooling in her stomach as it clenched. He had been a good friend who helped her move, no questions asked. He had been there for her at her worst.
And now here he was. Looking tall, dark and seriously sexy.
With a deep breath, Marion headed over. There wasn’t any reason why she couldn’t say hello to an old friend. An old friend she hadn’t spoken to in a while. Even though their last meeting had been awkward, she was determined to not let that affect her. They had been friends once and she had always liked Graeme.
She pasted on a bright smile and sauntered over. She’d forgotten how good looking Graeme was with his strong jawline shadowed by a goatee. He shoved his hand through his naturally dark blond hair.
“Well, hello, you,” she said in her sweetest voice.
Graeme glanced up, question then surprise flickering through his devastating blue eyes. His mouth broke into a wide grin and he looked genuinely happy to see her.
“Marion?”
“Are you as surprised to see me as I am you?” she asked as he rose and came around the table.
“You have no idea.”
He folded her into his powerful arms, hugging her tightly and squeezing her to him, then kissing her soundly on the cheek. He smelled of soap and his familiar cologne that smelled dark and dangerous. Spicy and sweet. All rolled into one delectable package stamped Graeme. She could sniff him all day. It made her knees weak. A totally unexpected feeling because Graeme wasn’t her idea of a weak-in-the-knees kind of guy.
Stepping back, his gaze swept over her. And, strangely, it hadn’t bothered her at all that he did it. It wasn’t the same creepy look Ethan had given her. This one was less on the lascivious side and more on the appreciative. Marion found she didn’t mind so much when Graeme did it.
“You look fantastic. I haven’t seen you since—”
“I know.” She blushed.
She didn’t want to be reminded of those fateful events. They became friendly after the horrendous breakup with Ethan. Graeme treated her to a night out drinking beer and shooting pool. But things had turned awkward when he’d tried to kiss her. She’d run out of the pool hall as though the devil were on her heels. That was a few months ago and they hadn’t seen each other since.
Until now.
“How are you?” She smiled. Why was she so incredibly happy to see him?
He waved her to a nearby cushioned chair. He closed the laptop then leaned back, propping his ankle on his knee to give her his full attention. “I’m great. I’ve been thinking about you.”
“You have?”
“I hope that’s okay.”
She nodded.
Damn, he’s sexy. There was something ruggedly handsome about Graeme, yet she knew underneath that tough exterior was a sensitive guy. Of course, he never liked for that to be common knowledge. He liked to keep up the rough façade. In the few years she’d known him, he’d always been friendly with her. She could be herself with him. Remembering that almost kiss sent her gaze to his lips.
Suddenly she wondered what his lips would feel like on hers. Why had she stopped him before? Oh, yes. Because the thing with Ethan was still too fresh. Her wounds still too raw and deep. And Graeme had a girlfriend at the time. But now things were different. She’d recovered. She was whole again. She was ready to start anew.
She couldn’t stop looking at him. He had the best forearms and hands. Nice, strong looking hands.
She kept her cup in her hands to keep them from fidgeting. He kept his gaze pinned on hers. “What are you up to these days?”
“I’ve got some new clients lately, so the business is going really well,” he said. “I work a lot.”
“I’m glad to hear the business is doing well.” She forced her eyes back to his face, noticing for the first time the new facial hair. One corner of his mouth was upturned in a grin. She resisted the urge to reach out and run a finger down his stubbly chin. “I like the goatee.”
He ran his hand over the beard, his skin bristling against the coarse hair. “It’s something I’m trying.”
“Well, it looks great. It suits you,” she said. “And how’s Charlotte?” Charlotte. His girlfriend. The one he still had when he’d tried to kiss her. Another reason not to let him.
“Uh…” He cleared his throat. “We broke up a while ago.”
Graeme had no girlfriend. Graeme was single. There was nothing standing between them now.
“Shortly after you and Ethan—”
“Stop.” She held up her hand. “Please don’t say it.”
“Sorry.” Looking sheepish, he picked up his paper cup and sipped his coffee. “I didn’t mean to bring it up. Anyway, it wasn’t long after that.”
After their breakup? Did that mean he was already single at the time he tried to kiss her? Did she miss an opportunity?
She twisted the edge of her worn shirt around her forefinger. “Speaking of the devil’s spawn…I ran into him this morning.”
“Here?” Graeme sat straight and glanced around the nearly deserted coffee house. He looked as if he were ready to fight.
“No, no. Down the street at the café. I was having brunch and he showed up out of nowhere. Told me he made a mistake and he wanted me back.”
“Fuck him.” He scowled, clearly unhappy with his friend’s actions. His face lost the light he had only moments ago and turned dark and serious. Graeme sat back in the chair again, relaxed.
“No, thanks.” She snickered then blushed for laughing at herself. “I’m not sure what makes him think I’d want him back, especially after what he did to me.” Looking back up, she met his gaze. “All that time we were together, he lied to me about his business dealings.”
“What do you mean?” Graeme asked.
“I mean he did web design for a…” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “…porn website.” Clearing her throat, she glanced around to see if she had been overheard. “Did you know that?”
When Graeme was silent, she was certain it was from sheer shock. That was her first reaction as well. “I had no idea and all that time we were together, he hid it from me. Talk about a scumbag!”
“Yeah,” he agreed, his voice muffled behind his coffee cup.
“
It wouldn’t have been such a big deal if he hadn’t cheated on me with half the girls from the website. Of course, I found out about that after we broke up, but still…the nerve of that guy.”
This time, Graeme cleared his throat. “How did you find out about all that?” He carefully placed his coffee cup on the table, and then opened the lid of his laptop. He fiddled with a few keys. Was he avoiding her gaze on purpose?
Marion gave him a pointed look of disbelief. Either he really didn’t know, or he was as guilty as Ethan was for pretending not to know. “You never knew, Graeme? You were his best friend.”
“Ethan and I shared a lot, yes. But he never shared that information with me. It’s sort of written in the Man Rules.”
“Man Rules?” She chuckled.
“Yeah,” he said, smiling a cocky smile. “Never share information that can incriminate you.”
“Ha ha.” Marion first wanted to smack him for the remark, but his big silly grin made her giggle.
“Anyway, Ethan had his chance with you and he blew it. His loss.”
Her eyebrows shot up. She was surprised to hear this from the man who was supposed to be his best man and best friend.
“You deserve better than him, Marion. I always thought so.”
“I…don’t quite know what to say.” A heated flash went through her and her palms felt as though they had suddenly caught fire.
“He’s an idiot for letting you go.” He snatched his cup again and sipped his coffee. “So what’d you tell him?”
She smirked, remembering her lie. “First I told him too bad and then…” She stopped, waving the thought away. “Nothing. It’s silly.”
“If you said something that will make that asshole suffer please share. I haven’t spoken to him since that day in the church.”
She blinked. Graeme was full of surprises. She had no idea the two of them hadn’t spoken in the last six months. So…Ethan had lost his fiancé and his best friend all in one day. Interesting.
“You haven’t?”
“No, I haven’t.”
She wanted to press further, to find out exactly why the two had ceased their friendship. Was Graeme sore because Ethan made him do the deed of telling Marion the news? Or was there something else underneath his cool exterior he wasn’t telling her? What did Graeme care if Ethan ditched his girlfriend? Unless…
Take Me I'm Yours (Coffee House Chronicles) Page 2
