“Uh, I may have used a little sweet-talking, and complimented a girls hair and spoke overly sweet to her,” she revealed, timidly.
This didn’t surprise me at all. Marnie had the ability to sweet talk her way out of anything or to get what she wanted. When she gave me those big brown puppy dog eyes, pouted her enticing lips, or said pretty please in her breathy, seductive voice, I became putty in her hands, and I gave absolutely no fucks when I did.
My mouth lifted in a smirk, and my brow raised in question. “So, what I’m hearing is that you asked someone to break the law?”
She rolled her eyes; her timid tone was lost when she spoke. “I wouldn’t say it was breaking the law.”
“Confidentiality, Marnie.” Her face blanched as my words sank in. “Who told you?”
“Um, the young girl with curly black hair,” she replied cautiously.
“Let me get this straight. You went for the newest and youngest employee and sweet-talked her into giving you confidential information?” Fuck it was hard not to smile.
“That makes me sound devious. But in my defense, the boss was Tricia from high school, and she gave the final yes for the adorable girl with excellent hair to tell me. So, really, I’m innocent in all of this.”
Shaking my head, I chuckled at her craziness. She stared down at her hands as they twisted together on top of the table, and I watched closely as her gorgeous mouth fought a smile. I had a billion and one things I wanted to say to her, to ask her, but I chose to wait until she spoke first.
“Thank you for doing that for Mom,” she whispered, so low that I barely heard her over the noise of the diner. “And I’m glad it was you who was with Dad. I know that would have meant a lot to him.”
Another tear rolled down her cheek, which she wiped away quickly. The wounds were still raw for me, so I couldn’t imagine how brutal they were for Marnie. I’d wanted to reach out to her so many fucking times since she left. I wanted to chase her around the world, wrap her up in cotton wool, and keep her away from any more hurt, but I couldn’t, and even though I wanted to, she wouldn’t have let me. I broke her heart, shattered it, and then she lost her dad. She didn’t trust me. She would have kept running, which she had every right to, so it was better for me to stay in Monroe and keep my eye on her from afar.
I reached over the table and placed my hand over hers. “He loved you so fucking much.”
Sadness haunted her smile. “He loved you too.”
Her words, as innocent as they were, caused a lump of emotion to lodge in the back of my throat. Love hadn’t been something I’d experienced much of in my life. I knew Ashlyn loved me, Ben, too, and there was no doubt in my mind that once upon a time, Marnie had, but hearing her say her dad loved me meant more to me then she’d ever know. As a man, he was everything I wanted to become. He provided and protected his family, was a hands-on father, and a desperately in love husband. He loved his job, but he loved his family more. That was the kind of life I strived to have.
“You two look like you could use this.”
Marnie jumped in her seat, and my head swung around to the end of the table where Gigi stood, her eyes darting back and forth between us while she held two plates piled high with chocolate cake and ice cream.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, grabbing one of the plates and handing it to Marnie before grabbing the other for myself. “You good?”
“I was in need of a coffee fix after my disastrous date with Clive.” She huffed in annoyance, and that was when I noticed her outfit and makeup. She was dressed to impress in typical Gigi fashion; matching sweater and sweatpants, pearls, bright lips, bright eyeshadow, and perfectly curled hair. “He asked me to go play bingo. I do not play bingo. Ever.”
Gigi never revealed her age, but I’d place her in her late sixties, early seventies. She acted and behaved like she was in her twenties, though. She dated regularly, she put herself into your life even if she wasn’t invited, and she’d do anything to make you happy, but she’d call you out in a heartbeat if and when you fucked up. She was brash, loud, and did not keep her opinions to herself. I had a lot of time for her, and the simple fact was that I’d do anything for her.
“I thought you were dating Denis?”
“That was last week.” Gigi then turned her attention to Marnie and pushed the plate loaded with cake closer to her. “I didn’t bake this cake, so it’s not the best you’ll ever eat, but it’s pretty good.”
“Uh, thanks,” Marnie replied, sounding almost nervous. “Do you bake a lot of cakes?”
Gigi’s face split with a smile. “I don’t just bake. I create magic.”
As quickly as she arrived, she left, heading back toward the counter to where Ben, Sasha, and Missy sat staring at us with varying degrees of interest.
“She thought I banged Ben in high school. She actually used the term banged.”
“What?” I choked, digging my fork into the cake and lifting a chunk to my mouth. “When did you meet Gigi?”
“At the store when I first moved back. I saw her with Ben and Sasha. She thought Ben and I had history. I almost vomited in my mouth at the thought of banging him. He’s hot, but definitely not bangable in my eyes.”
“I’m glad you didn’t think he was fuckable. I wouldn’t have been a fan of kicking my best friend’s ass for getting the attention of my girl.”
Her cheeks flamed. “I said bangable.”
“Bangable, fuckable... same difference.”
One by one, Ben, Sasha, and Missy made their way back to the booth after Gigi left and slid in around us. Small talk ensued, and Marnie sat quietly, only joining in when asked a direct question.
“I better get back to my shop because I still have a lot to do before I open. I’m sorry for barging in and interrupting your lunch,” Marnie announced before sliding out of her seat and hovering at the end of the table. “How much do I owe for the cake?”
Missy waved her away. “It’s on the house. Friends get free cake.”
“Thanks, Missy. Don’t forget that friends get free flowers from me.” Marnie smiled at Missy and then at Sasha. She looked toward Ben, and finally, her eyes met mine. “Thanks again for what you’re doing for Mom.”
“I’m doing it for your dad, but I’m also doing it for you. As long as the flowers bring a smile to your mom’s face and I know I’m keeping your dad’s promise, I’m going to keep doing it.”
She smiled weakly and nodded, then dashed away from the table. I watched every step she took, and I didn’t stop staring until she disappeared out of view. When I turned back to the table, all eyes were on me.
“Austin freaking Hart. Mr. Swoon! That’s your new name!” Missy declared, her eyes wide. “You have been buying her mom flowers. Holy shit, that is just... wow.”
“Can we please not make a big deal out of this?” I mumbled, shaking my head.
“Absolutely not. This is huge,” Sasha rested her hand on her chest over her heart. “This is one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard. It’s right up there with Ben putting his boots out in front of my house and changing my locks after the break-in at Sass.”
“You two are seriously raising the bar. How am I going to meet a guy who can compete with that level of swoon? Fuck my life. Thanks for nothing.”
Ben’s booming laughter distracted them and took the attention away from any further discussion about Marnie and me. The three of them talked about Missy’s future man while I got lost in my thoughts. I’d keep the promises I made to Captain Lavender until the day I die, and I wouldn’t stop until I fulfilled them all. Sending flowers to Mrs. Lavender was easy, but winning back his daughter was going to be harder.
But I wouldn’t stop until I made her mine again, even if it took me every second I remained on this earth to do so.
Because I was hers. I’ve always been hers. Even if she didn’t realize it.
Thirteen
Marnie
“Austin has been sending the flowers to Mom,” I whispered i
nto the phone as a new day rose over the mountains in splashes of pink and purple in front of me. “Since we lost Dad.”
One of my favorite parts of my house was the wide, rustic front porch, which I decorated with a wicker table and chairs covered with, you guessed it, floral print cushions. Since I’d moved in, my morning ritual involved having my first coffee of the day on my porch while I scrolled through social media and planned my day. Even this morning with the chill lingering in the air, I was sitting in my favorite seat wrapped in a coat and wearing fluffy bed socks on my feet. The weather wouldn’t stop me from enjoying this beauty.
“You can’t say anything to Mom, though. Dad asked him to do it for him,” I continued after taking a large sip of caffeine goodness that was beginning to warm me up.
Cora’s gasp rang through my ear. “Holy shit, Marnie, that is really sweet.”
I closed my eyes and rested my head back against the chair. “I know.”
I had barely slept a wink because I couldn’t stop thinking about what Austin had been doing for Mom, and what he was going to continue doing. No matter what had happened between us, I couldn’t deny that his heart was the biggest I’d ever encountered. He’d do anything for those he loved, whether it made him happy or not. That was pure Austin, and it was one of the reasons I fell in love with him years ago, and what made it so much more heartbreaking when I had to try to force myself to stop.
“His parents sent me a text saying that I had to vacate my shop. They gave me twenty-four hours. Austin went to their house, and I guess sorted it out because it’s now been seventy-two hours, and I haven’t heard anything more from them,” I blurted out, before gnawing on my lip.
Her tone when she responded was livid. “I will never understand how someone like Austin can have parents like them. And seriously, what the fuck is their problem with you?”
I shrugged even though she couldn’t see me. “I’m not good enough for their son. To them, I was just a cop’s daughter, and his mother wanted her son to be with someone of higher standing in the community. She made that very clear to me.”
“Dad wasn’t just a cop. He was the captain of the entire police department. How much higher can you freaking get in the community? What I don’t understand is why they are bothering you now. You and Austin aren’t even together!”
Ding! Ding! Ding! That was the question I had no answers for, so I could only speculate.
“Maybe it’s their way of warning me not to start anything with Austin again.”
Down the phone, her voice sounded hopeful when she replied. “Is that a possibility?”
“Is what a possibility?” I asked before draining the rest of my coffee and placing my empty mug on the glass top of my wicker table.
“You and Austin together again.”
My answer was immediate. “No.”
Her loud sigh hit my ear. “Marn—”
“Cora, please, can we not do this? Austin and I are over. Yeah, what he’s doing for Mom is super sweet, and yeah, looking at him still gives me butterflies, but he broke my heart. He said no to spending forever with me. I used those exact words; will you spend forever with me? And he said no. I can’t forget that. It hurts too much.”
“Okay, Marns,” she whispered, and I knew my big sister would hold off for today, but I also knew this wouldn’t be the last time it would be mentioned because even though she was tried to set me up with her brother-in-law, she still believed Austin and I were soul mates.
Soul mates? I didn’t even know if we could be friends.
After saying goodbye to Cora and promising to come over for dinner later in the week, I got ready to tackle the day. I arrived at Luscious Lavender an hour later, fueled by strong, black coffee, a crazy to-do list, and a fuckload of determination. Today was all about the two jobs I’d been avoiding; painting the walls and putting a dent in the boxes of furniture I needed to build.
After busying myself with admin and avoiding what I should have been doing, I pushed back from the workbench and stretched tall as I walked across the shop floor toward the glass front door. Earlier, when I arrived, I tore off the rest of the black plastic from the door, so now I had an uninterrupted view of the hustle and bustle of Main Street. The sun was shining, but I didn’t let it fool me. Monroe was in the midst of a cold snap, and I was living for it. I’d been called crazy for deciding to open a floral shop in the middle of winter. I’d been told to wait until spring, but I was having none of that. People needed, wanted, and loved flowers all year round. I knew I was going against the grain but screw it. Flowers didn’t just mean spring and warm weather. They meant bouquets for Christmas parties and gorgeous winter weddings. Plus, I wanted to get myself established before the rush of Valentine’s Day. So, really, I couldn’t think of a better time to open than during the winter wonderland.
I screeched, and my hand flew up to cover my rapidly beating heart when my view of Main Street was obscured by a smiling man stepping up to the front door.
“Are you Marnie?” he asked, tapping on the glass.
“Uh, yes, can I help you?”
His smile grew wider. “Nope, but I can help you. Actually, we can help you. Ben and Austin are just grabbing some supplies from Missy’s. You and I can get started while we wait for them.” He pointed toward my shop behind me, and then down at the lock on the door while lifting his brow as if to say “why am I locked out?”
I stared at the stranger who wore a tool belt and a friendly smile. He was an older, handsome man in a weathered, lived his best life kind of way with deep lines around his eyes and on his forehead. What did he mean that Ben and Austin would be here shortly, and why did he look like he was here to work?
The weirded out and confused expression covering my face caused him to chuckle.
“I was born Clancy, but my friends and family call me Crazy John or John,” he introduced. “My girl Sasha is Ben’s lady.”
Ahh, this was Sasha’s uncle. I think that was what she called him when she first mentioned him. After unlocking the door, I pushed it open slightly. His smile grew wider.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but why exactly are you here?”
He looked over my shoulder and into my shop. “We’re helpin’ you out. Austin sent a text this morning asking who was free to help. Ben and I are free, so here I am. So, let’s get started so I can get the easiest job. We’re going to get this place set up.”
I had no response. Austin sent out a text? They were coming here to get everything set up? I shook my head in disbelief and stepped to the side, completely flabbergasted. He walked in, closed the door behind him, and spun around.
“What needs to be done?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I was planning on painting and building the furniture in those boxes today.”
“I’m pretty good with a paintbrush, not so great with reading the instructions that come in those boxes. So, painting it is. Do you have any plastic to protect the floor?”
I nodded and rushed into the storeroom to grab the extra black plastic I kept after covering the front windows. With my arms filled, I headed back to Clancy, or Crazy John, or John. Seriously, what was I supposed to call him? I’d just handed him the plastic when the door burst open, and Austin and Ben strolled in.
“Morning, MJ. I see you met John.” Ben greeted me with a smirk. “It’s about time I got to see this place.”
My eyes hadn’t left Austin, and his hadn’t left mine. “We need to talk.”
I didn’t wait for his answer before I spun on my heel and walked toward the room that would be my office. I leaned against the desk and waited. A few seconds later, Austin walked in and closed the door behind him.
“What are you doing here?” I hissed, standing tall and glaring at him. “You don’t need to help me out Austin, I can get this done myself.”
“Still as stubborn as ever, I see.” He took three steps until he was towering over me. “When I was here, I saw the walls hadn’t been painted, and the
shitload of boxes in the corner. I remember your hatred of putting together furniture from when we set up my apartment a long time ago. So, I decided to help.”
I shook my head and blew out a frustrated breath. He was right; I did despise putting together furniture, but that wasn’t the point. “What if I don’t want your help?”
“You’re going to put together the furniture?” His brow rose in question, and he didn’t bother hiding how amusing he found this entire conversation.
“That was the plan.” I lied.
“How long have they been sitting there?”
I knew I wasn’t going to win, but I’d go down swinging. “That’s not the point.”
He chuckled, knowing he’d won. “I’m helping out.”
“You two get your asses out here; otherwise, I’m eating this food, and I’ll have no regrets about it.” Ben’s voice boomed from outside the office.
Austin stared at me, challenging me, waiting for me to tell him again that I didn’t need his help.
“You want to spend your day off putting together furniture, then have at it.”
I needed the help, there was no doubt about that, but I just didn’t want the help to come from my ex-boyfriend who had done nothing but confuse the fuck out of me since I returned. I was still reeling from the kindness he was showing my mother, then him warning off his parents from contacting me, and now turning up here to do the one job I hated doing. I wish he’d stop being the kind, considerate, and caring Austin I knew all those years ago. I needed him to be an asshole. I needed him to ignore me. I just needed him to be the total opposite of who he was now.
Ben looked up from the paint tin he was stirring and winked in my direction when I stepped out of the office. Behind me, the crinkle of paper hit the air, and the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee and bacon engulfed me. I spun around and found Austin holding out a white paper bag and a large to-go coffee cup with Missy’s logo on the front.
“Bacon and egg sandwich with cheese and a little barbecue sauce and a black coffee with a splash of creamer and two sugars.” Austin handed me the bag and coffee. “That’s still your favorite, right?”
My Only Reason (Men of Monroe Book 2) Page 11