by Linda Verji
“Because you know me.” Marcel kissed her again. “That’s what’s so special about you. You know me like no other woman knows me.” His gaze turned sober. “I trust you. And I’m hoping that despite everything Tay said, you trust me too.”
Nodding, she tightened her arms around his neck. “I do.”
Their lips met in another tender kiss. Minutes later, Marcel parted their mouths to frown. “What I don’t get is how he knew I took you to the barbecue because I sure as hell didn’t. And I know Sebastien wouldn’t.”
Olivia shrugged. “Does it even matter?”
It didn’t. All that mattered was that they wouldn’t let Tay destroy what they were building.
Marcel wanted to let Tay’s visit go, he really did.
He even tried. But the muted pain in Olivia’s eyes when she’d told him of Tay’s visit haunted him. Marcel’s protective instincts and anger flared, grew, resisted the thought of Tay getting away without even a telling off.
Seven p.m., the next day, found him at the Harrison’s doorstep. Their housekeeper opened the door for him. The Harrison home was a shrine to opulence, the kind of home you built to show people you had money. From a foyer large enough to accommodate the Sahara desert, overhanging crystal chandeliers, genuine paintings signed by ridiculously expensive artists and furniture that looked like it had come straight from the royal family’s home.
The housekeeper led him to the luxurious living room before heading off presumably to inform Tay of his arrival. However, it was Nikki who turned up. Her copper eyebrows lifted in delicate surprise and her lips curled in a smile when she saw him. “Marcel, hello. It’s been a long time.”
Nikki Harrison was a stunning woman with the red hair, small delicate features and a Jackie Kennedy-esque style of dressing that any man could appreciate. It was hard to believe that underneath that beautiful façade was a woman who’d gone to every length to trap Tay into marriage.
Why? With her looks, money and blueblood background, she could’ve roped in someone more appreciative of her; someone more loyal. Was she really that into Tay that she could put up with an ‘open’ marriage? But then again there was no accounting for taste. You can’t choose who you get obsessed with.
“It has been a long time.” Marcel rose to his feet. Offering her a stiff smile and his hand, he asked, “How are you? The kids”
“We’re fine, thank you.” Gesturing to his seat, she said, “Sit, sit. Let me get you something to drink.”
“Please don’t bother yourself.” Marcel sat down. “I’m only staying for a short while.”
“Ah, yes! Norma told me that you wanted to see Tay. He’s in but unfortunately he’s got a client in his office.” She offered Marcel an apologetic half-smile. “If you’re in a hurry…” She let her words drift off into silence.
Should I leave? Should I stay? His anger won. He smiled. “I’ll wait for him.”
Nikki didn’t stay much longer after that. After pouring him a drink from their bar, she headed off elsewhere. Marcel wasn’t surprised at her quick exit. They didn’t know each other well enough to have anything to talk about. She was polite enough, but according to Tay that was a cover for her true feelings about his friends. In truth, she thought they were beneath her social class and thus not worth her time.
When the Isaacs invited the Harrisons to their family barbecue, Tay had turned up with one of his women instead of his wife. He claimed Nikki had said it wasn’t her scene. The whole situation made everyone so uncomfortable Sebastien had had to tell Tay off.
About twenty minutes into Marcel’s wait, the housekeeper announced that Tay was ready to see him. Marcel found Tay’s office easily. With one short rap, he opened the door.
Tay straightened in his seat the moment Marcel walked into his office. Lifting his eyebrows, he asked, “Come to apologize?”
Apologize for what? Marcel was many things but apologetic was not one of them. He closed the door behind him, regarding the other man with a cold expression. “Leave Olivia alone. You ever come at her again and-”
“And what?” Tay interjected, his lips curling in a sardonic smile. “You’ll sucker punch me again?”
Seriously considering that suggestion, Marcel eyed him. Then he changed his mind. Nah! That would take energy he didn’t have to waste on Tay. He continued, “You ever come at Olivia again and I’ll forget that we are - we were friends. This is your last warning.”
Having said everything he needed to say, Marcel turned on his heels and twisted the doorknob. He’d just pulled the door open when Tay called out, “Marcel, wait.”
He almost left. He should’ve left.
“Marcel.” The pleading in Tay’s voice pulled him back in.
His hand still on the doorknob, Marcel turned to face Tay. “What?”
“This is bullshit.” Tay sighed heavily as he brushed his palm over his face. “We’re friends. We shouldn’t be fighting over a woman.”
Marcel just stared at him.
“This isn’t us.” Tay straightened to his feet and circled his leather office chair to stand behind it. Propping his arms on its back, he said, “We’ve been through too much shit together.”
Yes, they had. But Tay must have forgotten that when he was flinging around his lies and insults the other day at the restaurant.
“Sit down.” Tay gestured at the seat in front of his desk. “Let’s talk.” When Marcel didn’t budge, he urged, “Please.”
Marcel didn’t want to. He really didn’t. But Tay was right. They’d been friends for too long to not try to iron this out. Blowing out an angry breath, Marcel closed the door and took the offered chair. He leaned back in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest as he glared at Tay.
Tay sat back behind the desk. Setting his elbows on its gleaming dark wood top, he propped his chin on his linked fingers. “What did she tell you happened in the elevator?”
Marcel’s eyebrows shot up. “Does it really matter?”
“It does because I’m sure she didn’t give you the full story.” His expression earnest, Tay leaned forward. “I went to that gym to tell her that she needs to stop using you to get back at me. But then she went into this whole crazy spiel about still being in love with me, and if I left Nikki she would…”
Tay stopped speaking and shook his head as if he didn’t quite believe his own words. “You know what? That conversation isn’t even worth recapping. Look, I’ll admit that I said some hurtful shit. But I got mad. Man, I was so mad. I don’t think I’ve ever been that angry with anyone before. I couldn’t believe that she’s using you like that. If she were a man I would’ve knocked her out. You can’t trust that woman.”
The anger, passion and remorse in his expression was real; like that of a man who truly cared about his friend. If this was court, the jury would’ve acquitted him of all charges. It was enough to deflate Marcel’s anger and replace it with pity.
Shaking his head, Marcel chuckled.
“What’s funny?” Tay’s brow furrowed.
“You.” Marcel sat up. “Does it ever stop?”
“Does what stop?”
“The lying? Does it ever stop? Here I am thinking that you asked me to stay so we could quash our issues. Instead you’re wasting my time with your lies.”
“Can’t you see what she’s doing to us?” Tay’s eyes sparked with anger. “She’s tearing us apart.”
“No, you’re tearing us apart.” Calmer than when he’d come in, Marcel said, “This has nothing to do with Olivia and everything to do with your constant lying. Do you even realize how many lies you tell in a day? You have a problem, Tay. There’s something wrong with you.”
“I’m not lying.”
Marcel interjected, “Tay, get it from a friend, you need help.”
The only reason someone would lie as much as Tay did was if they were dissatisfied with reality. For a man who had it as good as Tay did; nice job, beautiful wife, good kids… he should’ve been content. But obviously he was missing som
ething in his life that he could only get by making up a fantasy world or destroying other people’s happiness. It made Marcel sad because he hadn’t always been like this. What had happened to Tay?
Marcel’s sympathy evaporated when Tay sneered. “Instead of playing Mr. Therapist you should get your priorities straight and know who’s got your back.” His voice took on a menacing air. “Be careful, Marcel. That job, that house… it could all disappear like-” He snapped his fingers.
Marcel snorted. “Are you threatening me?”
“I’m just reminding you that I could go real low if I wanted to.” Tay’s smile gleamed with malice. “I’m reminding you that I choose not to because I think of you as my brother. I’m just reminding you that you’re throwing away a good friend for a woman…” He spat out the word like it was the most disgusting word he’d ever spoken. “A woman.”
“Let me get this straight.” Marcel stroked his chin, a small smile playing on his lips. “You actually think that you can blackmail me into being your friend.”
“It’s not blackmail, it’s fact.” Tay smiled smugly. “I got you where you are and I can take it away.”
“Do your best.” Marcel lifted off his seat. He started to leave then turned back to face Tay again. “You may’ve given me a contact or two, but it’s my talent, my hard work that got me where I am. You don’t own my job, you don’t own me, and you definitely don’t own Olivia.”
Tay opened his mouth as if to say something but Marcel cut in before he could. “You’re up here threatening me when you’ve forgotten that your own father in-law has got you by the balls. If he ever found out about all your women-”
Tay rocketed up from his seat. “Don’t you dare.”
“That’s just it,” Marcel interrupted. “I wouldn’t dare. I wouldn’t even think of going that low. Not because I’m scared of you. But because despite everything going on between us I still got your back. Take a minute to think about that when you’re cooking up your next lie or whatever it is you’re planning. Consider if you really want to lose our friendship over a woman we both know you never had any real feelings for.”
This time when Marcel opened the door, he strode out, leaving Tay staring at his retreating back in thoughtful silence.
CHAPTER 25
Olivia missed Marcel.
She hadn’t seen him since Tuesday morning and it was Friday. Okay, it was just Friday. But three days was a hell of a long time without her man. Like a junkie she was having some serious withdrawal symptoms and craving her hit. Marcel. She missed his smile, listening to his chest rumbling as they talked, his laugh, his kisses… and these messages he was sending her were only making the whole thing worse.
She swiped her thumb down the screen of her phone to read it.
I can’t wait to hold you.
It was an innocent enough message, but memories of being held, being touched, being kissed by him filed in. Mm, she missed her man.
“Are you okay?” Morning called out from her position behind the reception counter.
“What?” Olivia looked up from her illicit mental wanderings.
Morning gave her an amused look. “You just moaned.”
She had? Her face flushed in embarrassment, Olivia grabbed her purse from the counter and rushed off, throwing a, “No, I didn’t,” over her shoulder as she went.
Morning’s ringing laughter followed Olivia down the hallway. Now, look what that shameless man had done. Embarrassing her in front of her colleagues. She’d get him back. Pushing the door to the ladies’ locker-rooms, she dialed his number.
On the third ring, the phone clicked and his liquid, deep voice vibrated in her ear. “Hey, Livy.”
Aah! How she loved the way he said her name. It sent fluttering straight to her belly and made her smile. She returned a breathless, “Hey.” Lowering her body to the bench closet to the door, she asked, “What you doing?”
“Finishing up on the plans for that gallery I was telling you about,” he said warmly. “What about you?”
“I’m done with my training for the day and my afternoon is wide open. And I was thinking-” Her voice took on a seductive lilt as she continued, “-what if I dropped by your office and brought you a little something to lunch. And maybe while you’re eating I could… make you very, very happy.”
There was long pause on his end, and when he spoke his voice was strangled. “Are you offering to do what I think you’re offering to do?”
“Mm hmm.” She squeezed her thighs together to stem the rush of heat to her lower belly at the thought of how ‘happy’ he would make her in return.
“Livy,” Marcel groaned. “Why are you tempting me like this when I’ve got back to back meetings.”
“Are you sure you can’t cancel one of them?” she crooned.
There was shuffling on his end of the phone then he cussed, “I’m booked up to six.”
“That’s too bad.” She bit her lip and ran a finger over her thigh. “And here I was thinking I could bring some ice-cream - for me - to eat on you.”
He let out an agonized groan. “Livy.”
She chuckled.
“My next appointment’s here, but I’m sure someone will skip their meeting. If they miss it can I call you to come over?” he pleaded.
“Sorry, boo. The offer expires in thirty minutes.”
“Liiivy,” he whined.
“Maaarcel,” she teased.
“You are so wrong for torturing me like this.” The poor man sounded like he was seriously suffering.
Smiling, she offered, “Tell you what, if someone skips, call me. If they don’t, then finish up with your meetings and when you’re done, text me. I’ll meet you at your place.”
“You will?” he asked, a hopeful note in his voice.
“I will.”
“Don’t play with us, Livy.”
“Us?”
“Me and Marcel Junior.”
“Marcel Junior?” It took a moment for her to get it. But when she did, she let out a disgusted cry, “Ew. Boy, bye.” She ended the call on his chuckles.
Nasty man.
A smile played on her lips as she headed toward her locker to grab her shower stuff. Still walking, she turned her attention to her purse searching its interiors for her keys. She found them just as she neared her locker.
“What the hell?” the words exploded from her. Shock pulsing through her, she stared goggle-eyed at the chaos that was once her locker. The door was wide open with her hygiene bits and pieces, knocked over - well, at least the ones that hadn’t been flung all over the room’s floor. Her gym bag was on the floor.
Yup! The one that was supposed to be in her locker; ripped open with all her clothes hurled around it with careless anger. As if that wasn’t enough, the culprit had emptied her baby oil over the clothes and her bag, then conveniently tossed the empty bottle over her yellow sundress. Her new, yellow sundress.
That’s it, she was done with this stupidity.
Anger in her long strides, Olivia stomped towards the treadmill room. As expected, Nikki was there. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
The redhead was at the furthest corner of the room, earphones plugged into her ears as she marched at a steady pace on the machine. She looked even more pregnant that usual, her baby bump stretching her light blue track jacket. Her breath was coming in loud puffs and beads of sweat trickled down her face into her collar even though by most standards her pace was really slow.
Poor woman, the bike would probably be-Olivia caught herself. Hell, no. No mercy. If Nikki wanted to play games while she was pregnant then she deserved all the hell Olivia was about to rain. Her face set with determined anger, Olivia strode to her side.
Nikki turned her head just as Olivia came to a stop beside the treadmill. The woman flashed Olivia a smile and plucked the earphones from her ears. Her voice breathless, she greeted. “Hi, Liv.”
Olivia didn’t bother with the greeting. “I’m done with your nonsense.”
&nbs
p; Nikki’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry what?”
Olivia propped her fist on her hip as she glared at the other woman. “If you’ve got something to say to me, then say it. I don’t do this childish nonsense. The next time you touch any of my stuff you better get your check book ready because cops and lawyers will be involved.”
For a moment Nikki stared at Olivia, with her brow knitted in confusion - or was it surprise? Then her porcelain features cleared of all expression. Her movements were precise and sharp as she slowed the treadmill. Tension so thick a hacksaw couldn’t cut into it eclipsed the room. Only the whirring sound of the machine coming to a stop shadowed the strained silence between the two women.
When Nikki descended the machine, her voice was wintery cold. “Look who’s calling others childish. The same woman who screwed my husband has the nerve - the nerve-” Her face morphed into a hard, angry mask. “-to call me childish. Let me tell you about childish, Ms. Armstead. Childish is when you sent me those pictures of the two of you skulking around this gym and the city like the skunks you are. Childish is pretending to be nice when you’re forwarding me those silly little messages between you and Tay. You even had me doubting my own eyes, you little hypocrite. And you’re threatening to call the lawyers on me?” She let out a humorless laugh as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Classic.”
The woman’s burst of anger shocked Olivia but not as much as her words. Olivia asked, “What are you talking about? I didn’t send you any pictures or messages.”
“Really?” Nikki chuckled, giving Olivia a disbelieving look as the sound of her amusement echoed in the room. “So they appeared on my phone by magic?”
“Lady, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Nikki snorted as she stuck her hand into the pocket of her track jacket and came up with her phone. Pursing her lips, she swiped through the screen of the palm-sized gadget. When she found what she was looking for, she turned the phone toward Olivia. “Yeah, right! You didn’t send any pictures.”
Olivia took a step forward to peer at the picture on screen and almost fell on her ass in shock. There she and Tay were at the parking lot in each other’s arms, kissing.
