It wasn’t until she twisted around to look up into his face that he realized he’d said her name aloud.
Curiosity flared in her eyes, and he stiffened. “Marcus?” she questioned.
He couldn’t drag his eyes away from her. It might be a big mistake, but he couldn’t stop himself from putting at least a part of it out there. “Do you think if you were ready for something more…”
She sighed, and he fought the slice of pain in his chest. “Marcus.”
“Because I’m here for it.”
Wynter didn’t look at him when she whispered, “If that was something I wanted…” She shifted but didn’t pull away. “Maybe I could see this going further.”
He didn’t dare breathe. This was yet another crumb.Ifshe wanted it. If she wanted a relationship, then he’d be a reasonable choice. He had a chance. Neither one of them spoke after that. They were each locked in their own minds. His was whirling with the fact that he was one step closer to winning her over. She simply needed to see that dating him could be good for both of them. That wasn’t impossible.
His hold on her tightened as if he expected her to move away from him.
Thankfully, she didn’t. Her hand came up across her chest and she linked her fingers with his. He exhaled a breath he’d been holding and smiled to himself.
Definitely not impossible.
18
WYNTER
Wynter entered the kitchen to the smell of coffee. She moaned and breathed in deep. Last night she hadn’t been able to get to sleep, even after spending extra time in prayer. Her mind had been reeling after what Marcus had said. She’d wanted nothing more than to believe him when he’d said he was here for something more.
The problem?
There were never guarantees in life.
Yes, she was well aware that her issues weren’t normal. She was also aware that it might not be healthy to stick with her personal views. No one was trying to interfere in the lives of people who suffered from arachnophobia, so there was no reason for people to interfere with her fear of commitment.
She stopped in the kitchen when she found Grams seated at the table without her brace on her wrist, placing a ceramic plate on the table laden with pancakes. A gasp stalled in her throat. “Grams! You’re not supposed to be lifting anything thatheavy.” She rushed forward and grabbed the plate before her grandmother lost control and dropped the dish on the table.
Grams blinked before glancing down at her wrist. Then she winced and rubbed her wrist. “I must have forgotten to put it back on after my shower this morning. Would you mind fetching it from my room?”
Wynter nodded and hurried to retrieve it. When she returned, she found a plate filled with pancakes and a mug of coffee, along with some seasonal creamers on the table. She settled into her seat and avoided looking directly at her grandmother.
Where she should probably be putting Grams in her place over her absentmindedness, she knew she should avoid any conflict. Grams wasn’t against firing back, and the way she was looking at Marcus last night after the movie said it all.
“Are you going to talk, or are you going to make me ask all of the questions?” Grams broke the silence, and Wynter grimaced. There it was. She’d known this was coming. And yet she hadn’t been prepared for what it would feel like to voice what she had to.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
That disappointment on her face said it all. “Sweetheart, I can see the way you are with him.”
Marcus. But Wynter wouldn’t confirm it.
“Maybe it’s time that you consider sticking around. I’m sure there are plenty of jobs you could have.”
“Grams. I appreciate what you’re trying to suggest, but I don’t need a man in my life. I’m happy with the job I have. In fact, I was going to ask you if you’d like to move to California and live with me.”
That had been the wrong thing to say. Based on the way Grams scowled at her, it was definitely not what she’d been hoping for.
“It’s not what you think,” Wynter insisted. “I thought it would be nice for you. Living out here alone. It’s a lot.”
“Are you saying that I can’t take care of myself?”
Wynter pinched the bridge of her nose. “Of course not. I’m saying that you live so far away from me, and even I get lonely.”
