“Do you want me to act out, Marc, or behave?”
Marc looked out the window at the mansion as they turned and stopped at the front.All the lights were on and music, tasteful music, carried out from the open windows.His jaw clenched.
“One word from you and we are out of there, okay?”
“Fine.Marc, look at me.”Now there was a snap in Wayla’s voice, and he turned back.“I’m not some fucking wilting wallflower.I don’t care what any of them,” she waved at the house, “think about me.What.Do.You.Want?”
That boosted Marc’s spirits.He grabbed her hand, hauled her into his lap, kissed her until he couldn’t breathe, and then opened the door.
“Let’s go cause chaos.”
“That’s my—” Wayla cut herself off.“Well, anyways.Lead the way, handsome.”
Chapter 32 – Wave
Themansionwasgrand.Well, it was big and it had nice bones.It had probably been a lovely home at one point.Now it was trying too hard.
Everything was manicured, polished, and gilded.If grandmother ever saw this place, she would snort something about new money mages.Not that she would ever snort, but Wave liked to imagine this place would pull that reaction out of her.
Marc led her up the stairs that had, honest to god, red carpet laid in the middle.Wave tried to hold herself in check, but she couldn’t help the giggle that escaped.
“All it’s missing is a crowd of paparazzi behind a fence and screaming fans.”
Marc chuckled.“I’m sure there are some vetted reporters inside.”
“You don’t worry about your public image?”
“Not one bit, sparkle.”He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek.As soon as they stepped inside, a boy, well, a teenager, rushed over and threw himself at Marc.
“You came!”
“I said I would,” Marc replied and ruffled his black hair.“Tanner, I would like you to meet my girlfriend, Wayla.”
Tanner blushed.He was in his late teens, and while his hair and eyes reminded Wayla of Marc, his features were more delicate, and his frame was slimmer, if not gangly.
“Nice to meet you,” she said, holding out a hand.
“You too,” Tanner said, while he took her in.“You are much prettier than Mom said.”
“Tanner!”Marc groaned, but Wayla grinned.
“Oh?Did she say I had ash in my hair, dirt under my nails, and a wart on my ass?”
“Wayla!”This time, Marc’s groan was aimed at her, but Tanner grinned.
“Pretty much.She also said you were a gold digger and some other words I’m not going to repeat in front of a lady.”
“Smooth, aren’t you?”Wayla giggled, delighted.Tanner nodded seriously.
“I know a lady when I see one.”
Marc laughed at that, but Wayla felt a pinch of worry.The boy was too serious to be joking.Still, she forced her smile to stay on.As long as no one paid any mind to Tanner, her status would stay secret.Technically, she was also a princess on top of being a lady, but she for sure wasn’t going to let that slip.
“Let’s keep that between us, huh?”
“Of course,” Tanner said, gave her a tiny, perfectly executed bow, and then grinned again.“You’ll drive Mom crazy.”
“Don’t sound so happy about that.She still loves you,” Marc immediately jumped in.
