by Blue Saffire
Julia’s face was lit up with excitement as she said the words. Marcus looked at her in confusion. Her ring, what the hell was she talking about?
“Oh come on Marcus, you don’t have to pretend I found the ring in your night table. It is so amazing, Baby. I can’t wait to wear it,” Julia squealed.
Realization hit and Marcus cursed under his breath. How was he going to get out of this one? Telling the truth wasn’t an option. He didn’t want to open up that can of worms. He couldn’t say it belonged to Bobby or Nate because everyone knows those two workaholics are not dating at the moment.
Marcus cursed himself again. That ring belonged to the woman he loved. What the hell was he going to do? Then it hit him, had Julia already tried it on? He could never give her a ring another girl put on. Not that he had any hope left but the thought just felt wrong to him.
“Hon, did you try it on already,” Marcus asked cautiously.
Julia’s smile grew wider as she nodded her head like a little girl. Fuck, Marcus screamed in his own head. He pulled a hand down his face as he turned his back to tug on a pair of boxer briefs.
He had to get his thoughts together. Could he someday marry Julia? She was keeping him from running after Rita now and making a fool of himself. Julia was beautiful and she went along with pretty much whatever he wanted.
The family seemed to get along with her pretty well, though his mom and dad were surprised he brought her to his mother’s birthday celebration. He figured they were just thinking of how it would look to her, but she never showed up. Marcus guessed she was too busy planning her wedding with her race car driver.
Julia could be clingy but he didn’t mind that when he was really missing his love. He supposed if he couldn’t have the one he loved, someday he could marry Julia. It wouldn’t be anytime soon, but if he let her have the ring it would make things simple and he could hold her off for a while after that.
“Baby, I’m sorry I found it. I know you probably wanted to surprise me,” Julia cooed as she walked up behind him and placed her arms around his waist. “I mean, you don’t have to go through a big proposal or anything. You already know I’ll say yes.”
Marcus groaned internally. How could she think that ring was meant for her? He hadn’t even told her he loved her in all the time they had been together. He cared for her but he was not in love.
“I thought maybe we should wait you know, give our relationship a little more time,” Marcus tried.
“But Baby,” Julia pouted and put her hands on her hips. “I’ll make it worth it if you give it to me now.”
Marcus rolled his eyes and turned to face her to retort, but she was already on her knees reaching to spring him from his briefs. Marcus forgot what they were talking about as he let her take the stress away, if only for a little while.
~B~
“Daddy is going to flip when he sees this ring. You did so well Baby,” Julia squealed.
Marcus pressed his lips as he parked in her parents’ driveway. There was no way he was getting out of giving her that ring once she saw it. He was sorry he even asked what she had been hinting at. She never gave a better oral performance in their whole relationship.
Marcus got out of the car and moved around to the passenger side to let her out. He smoothed down his black dress shirt as he prepared himself for the night ahead, he was sure this was going to be a long one. Julia stepped out of the car with a beaming smile.
Marcus was so annoyed with himself. He should have just told her the truth. He felt like a real dirt bag for letting her believe that ring was for her.
“We have so much to do. We must have an engagement party. We should probably tell your sister right away with her crazy schedule,” Julia babbled on.
“Julia, just slow down hon, okay? I won’t know if I made partner for a few more months and I’m not sure this is going to be my year,” Marcus sighed.
“Oh please Marcus, like your dad isn’t going to make you a partner,” Julia waved him off.
“You don’t know my father. I may be waiting another year or two. I haven’t been myself for some time. I still need to prove I can handle myself,” Marcus sighed.
“I think you are worrying about nothing,” Julia smiled. “Once our engagement is announced daddy will be sending so much more business your way, they won’t have a choice but to make you a partner.”
They stepped into the Pennywell residence and Marcus immediately wanted to run back out. There were more than a few friends. Marcus couldn’t help but feel trapped and like he had been played. He tried to shake the feeling off but it was sitting in the pit of his stomach like a log.
Marcus couldn’t say he liked Jeremy Pennywell as much as he could say he tolerated him. Something about him rubbed Marcus the wrong way from the first time they met. It was before he started dating Julia and he had forgotten about the man and the last name until Julia took him to meet her family. Right away he remembered the smug prick.
“Mother, Daddy,” Julia squealed and ran toward them with her ring finger high in the air for them to see. “I’m engaged.”
Marcus groaned to himself as people in the room stopped what they were doing to take in the scene. This was spiraling out of control and he hadn’t even had time to call his parents and explain. He could see a few faces that he knew were mutual friends of his family’s so this was not going to remain low key like he had planned.
“That’s my little girl. Go after what you want and get it,” Mr. Pennywell crooned.
Marcus was a little taken back by Mr. Pennywell’s overzealous response. He had been under the impression that the feeling of dislike was mutual. Marcus studied the Pennywells as they peered excitedly over the ring that was never meant for them to see.
It was a gorgeous ring nothing less than four karats for his girl. It gave the illusion of being a solitaire ring with its bright round cut stone. The band crisscrossed all the way around and was encrusted with diamonds. His girl would have loved it. Marcus frowned at that thought. She seemed plenty pleased with the rock pretty boy had placed on her finger.
“This is such a gorgeous ring Marcus. It is a pleasure to welcome you to the family,” Mrs. Pennywell beamed.
“Thank you Mrs. Pennywell,” Marcus replied as he plastered on a smile.
“Oh none of that nonsense, call me Beth,” she chortled.
“Mother we have so much to do,” Julia clapped.
Marcus started to sweat he had to slow Julia and her planning down. “Julia, your parents are in the middle of a party. We can talk plans at another time,” Marcus tried to detour.
“I say this is a cause for champagne,” Mr. Pennywell called and waved over a server. “Have them bring up the cases of Dom Perignon from the cellar.”
Marcus raised his brow at Mr. Pennywell. That feeling of being set up sunk in again. Marcus knew his parents kept expensive champagne in the house but not by the cases unless they were planning for something special.
“Marcus my boy, my little girl only gets engaged once,” Mr. Pennywell chuckled and patted Marcus on the back.
Marcus just nodded and gave him a smile. He hoped this was a dream warning him to move that ring out of the drawer and he would wake up and none of this would have happened. The room was closing in and he needed a way out, fast.
Chapter 13
“Hello,” Marcus grumbled into the phone.
“Is there something you would like to tell me Son,” James said sternly into the phone.
“Dad,” Marcus sighed. “It’s a long story and I can’t really explain it right now.”
“Just tell me this Son. Is this what you want? Are you sure you want to leave things this way,” James asked as gently as he could.
“I didn’t leave anything, anyway dad,” Marcus said bitterly. “This isn’t what I want but we both know that what I want walked right out of my life and I didn’t have the balls to stop it from happening. So I guess this is my punishment for hurting her and me at the same time.”
> “Son,” James sighed. “Things are not always black and white and you know this better than anyone. But your mother and I promised each other we wouldn’t pry any more than we have. If you need my help I am here to help you any way I can.”
“Thanks dad but my bed is made,” Marcus said gruffly.
“There are people that make beds everyday but they don’t sleep in them.”
“Dad, I love you, but I’m tired,” Marcus sighed.
“Okay Marcus, I love you too, Son.”
“Is everything okay,” Julia asked sleepily.
“Yeah, go back to sleep,” Marcus yawned.
~B~
“Rita?” Marie asked anxiously as she walked into the living room. “Oh honey what is it?”
“Y-your br-brother is en-engaged,” Rita replied as she gasped for air. She was having a full blown anxiety attack.
“What?” Marie said and frowned. “Take deep breaths Baby love, deep breaths. Yes, that’s it.”
Marie pulled her phone from her pocket to see what in the world was going on. Rita broke into sobs beside her as she tried to breathe. Marie just knew this couldn’t be real.
“Rita can you calm down enough to tell me what makes you think this,” Marie asked gently.
“Pictures …online…her parents’ house…announced it,” Rita sobbed.
“Oh no,” Marie said in a whisper. She was confused. Marcus didn’t look like he was going to propose to that woman. “But you were going to him. Once we figured things out for Anton. This is all wrong. Rita you have to let me call him. Something isn’t right. If he knew you were coming home things would change.”
“What’s going on,” Whitney whined as she poked her head out of her room.
“Nothing,” Rita bit out through her tears.
“What’s the matter, your boyfriend finally came out of the closet,” Whitney threw back.
“Whitney,” Marie chided sharply.
“Whatever,” Whitney waved her hand and went back into her room.
“When is that bitch moving out,” Rita growled.
“I don’t know but soon. She has been getting so weird lately. I swear she didn’t used to be like this,” Marie sighed.
“Yeah, well I happen to remember things differently. She has always been a bitch and you need to watch her.”
“Forget her, what are we going to do?”
“Nothing Marie, if this is what he wants there is nothing else I can do,” Rita shrugged.
“So we’re just giving up?” Marie said sadly. “Marcus deserves better Rita. He deserves the truth. He deserves to know what he really witnessed on that beach. He deserves to know that you got engaged partly to help a friend not just to trick him into coming for you.
“You’re my best friend Rita. We have been through so much together, but when you really needed someone Marcus was always the one that was there. I don’t think that will ever change.”
“He’s engaged Marie. He won’t be running to my side anymore,” Rita said brokenly. “I’m going to see Anton. Promise you won’t interfere.”
“But Rita…”
“Promise.”
“Fine,” I promise,” Marie pouted.
~B~
The night before the engagement party
“Baby, I don’t think your sister likes me,” Julia whined.
Marcus sighed. “What makes you think that?”
“Isn’t it obvious? She isn’t even coming to our engagement party,” Julia pouted.
“Jewels, my sister has just finished her classes, she is a working model and she is in Europe. She can’t just drop everything to come to a party across the country at the last minute. She’ll be at the island for the family vacation. You guys can bond then,” Marcus reassured her.
“What about Rita? She is like a sister to you but I haven’t met her yet,” Julia asked.
“Jewels, you know she does everything with my sister if one is busy so is the other,” Marcus sighed.
“Why are you annoyed with me,” Julia blinked at Marcus as he sat on the couch pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I’m not annoyed with you,” Marcus replied.
“Yes you are. You only call me Jewels when you are annoyed and you are pinching your nose. You are totally annoyed with me,” Julia accused.
“I have a lot on my mind with this case coming up and mom and dad insisting that we take this vacation now. I’ll be busy most the time trying to keep up with my files. I’m just under a lot of stress,” Marcus murmured.
“I’m sorry, Baby. I just want tomorrow night to be perfect. I’m so excited about the party and the wedding. Everything is going to be amazing,” Julia cooed.
“Listen hon, are you sure you want to do all of this so fast. I mean we’ve barely been dating for a year. We still have so much to learn about each other why rush things,” Marcus said as gently as he could. “If things aren’t going the way you want maybe it’s because we need to wait.”
“Okay, maybe I am overreacting. It’s just been a stressful week. With them finally getting me back the engagement ring, I mean what took so long to resize it. I was so stressed I wouldn’t have it back in time for the party or that they messed it up with all the time they were taking.”
“Well, resetting the stones took some time,” Marcus said through tight lips. It had pained him so much to have Rita’s ring altered. He took a breath. He had to get over his reluctance to go through with this wedding. Rita would be married in two weeks. His hopes of having the ideal dream was over.
Marcus reached for Julia and pulled her against his chest. He kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s going to be fine. My mother and father are going to throw us a beautiful engagement party tomorrow and then you, me and the family are going to go to the island and you and I can spend as much time as possible getting to really know each other,” Marcus sighed.
“That sounds wonderful, but I think I know everything I need to know. You are a kind, loving and sexy man. You’re wonderful with your family and you take care of the people you love. What more could a girl ask for,” Julia purred.
“Oh I could think of a few things,” Marcus snorted.
“Well there is one thing I wouldn’t mind,” Julia breathed as she wiggled against him in his arms. It had been weeks since Marcus had touched Julia intimately. Knowing that Rita’s wedding was coming up and knowing that he had lied about the engagement ring had him feeling more guilty than he could bare.
He’d found excuse after excuse to keep from having sex. He’d even taken a few cases that meant he’d have to travel. Julia was spending more and more time in his apartment lately so he would keep later hours in the office or spend time with his brothers.
“Jewels, it’s late and I have a lot to get done tomorrow before the party. We’ll have plenty of time on the island,” Marcus said as he feigned stifling a yawn.
Julia frowned then pouted. “Okay, but I want plenty of alone time on the island,” She gave him sad doe eyes.
“Get some sleep, tomorrow will be a long day,” Marcus stood giving Julia his back as he headed for the bedroom.
~B~
Marcus stood with a glass of whiskey in his hand and a smile plastered on his face. Julia was wrapped around his arm beaming at the two faces Marcus couldn’t name if he tried, in addition to the Pennywells. Marcus gritted his teeth.
Jeremy Pennywell was happy as a pig in slop. Not only had his daughter landed a catch, but there was more money in this room than the likes of Jeremy would ever have access to. Thanks to James Mairettie, there was not just the elite in this room but the elite of the elite. Those you only rubbed shoulders with by exclusive invitation.
Marcus had watched Jeremy work the room all night. Julia had been a social bug as well but Marcus chalked that up as her being a good guest of honor. Jeremy not so much with his arrogance and smug tone, Marcus felt like he should cover Mr. Pennywells tracks to apologize to some of the guests.
Marcus just
wanted to find the closest exit. He’d had enough an hour ago. At this point he would have been happy to just find a room to breathe in. He felt like the walls were closing in on his lies. Everything Julia did was annoying him now.
She arrived at his apartment just before he left for the party. She was armed with a ton of bridal magazines, asking his opinion on a ton of things he wasn’t even paying attention to. He was sure he was going to tear his hair out before the end of the night.
“Excuse me,” Marcus said and kissed Julia on the cheek. “I’ll be back.”
“Should I come with you,” Julia asked and furrowed her brows.
He leaned into her ear and whispered. “I’m just going to the restroom. Enjoy your party.” He winked at her and gave her yet another forced smile.
Marcus quickly slipped away before Julia did decide to follow him. He was almost through the crowd that was trying to get his attention to give their best wishes when a familiar face stepped in front of him. Karen Lawson, he’d dated her in college. She was always pretty but the years have been really good to her. Her hair looked glossy as it fell in long black silky sheets down her back. Her slanted eyes pierced him with their hazel depths.
Karen had always been small and adorable, but now she was tiny and sexy in a tight little black dress that showed off her subtle curves. Her cinnamon colored skin had a new glow to it. He remembered thinking that she was exotic and cute when they dated. When he met her parents he was surprised to find that her mother was from Jamaica and her dad was Korean, but she looked like a perfect mix of both of them. Marcus was surprised to see her here.
“Marcus, it is so good to see you,” Karen greeted him.
“It’s great to see you as well Karen it has been such a long time,” Marcus smiled.
“Too long, although I have to say that I am surprised to find you engaged to Julia,” Karen said with a small smirk.
“What makes you say that,” Marcus asked with a playful grin on his lips.
“Well, Julia and I happen to be good friends. I have known her since high school and I know you pretty well as well. Don’t get me wrong Julia is a great girl but so not your type. Besides I always thought you would end up with that girl,” Karen put a finger to her lips in thought. “What was her name? Oh I forget. She was a friend of your sister’s. I remember being so jealous of her. It drove me crazy because she was so young but she would call or need something and you would be out the door.”