"How many penguins have you adopted?"
"The entire enclosure at the Central Park Zoo actually."
"So you're all soft then?"
"Just like you."
The pop of the toaster put an end to the round we'd found ourselves in, although I was in two minds about whether to just forget the crumpets and do this all night.
But I couldn't. Crumpets were on the line here.
I watched on as Marcus buttered them, using at least half the tub, just the way I liked, and I took a bite, trying my absolute hardest not to moan.
Sucker for a crumpet, me. Knew it from at least my third.
“So,” I said between bites. “Talk me through the mask.”
His face lit up like he’d remembered something, but it was so casual that it was almost cool. In fact, itwascool. He was always cool.
He sat up a little and pulled something out of his back pocket, placing it on the blanket beside me. A dark red envelope, stamped with a wax seal.
I devoured the rest of my crumpet like the lady I’m not and brushed my hands on my dress. “How very mysterious.” I turned it over and read my name, scribbled in the prettiest gold cursive I’d ever seen, not waiting another second before breaking the seal.
Inside was my invite to the Nouvelle Gala.
And for the second time tonight, the air was knocked from me.
I looked back up at Marcus. “My invite?”
He nodded, eyes full of knowing mischief. “Thought I’d hand-deliver it.”
My face pulled as I read the details. “How come you have it?” He didn’t answer straight away, so I narrowed my eyes. “Did you… steal it?”
He sniffed a laugh. “What makes you think I stole it?”
“It’s you.”
“Rude.”
My shrug and giggle mingled. “It’s just odd you have it.”
He gave me a fair-enough look before leaning closer. God, he smelt good. Like a bonfire that had been roasting vanilla and black pepper. “Well, I was at the committee’s office today for a sponsor meeting, saw it on the way out and asked if I could deliver it to you.”
I nearly choked on my crumpet. “What the—Sponsor?”
He nodded, that sweet smile masking his face. “How else do you think they can afford the scholarship?” Before I could let that sink in, he shuffled closer, his face doing that thing where he pretends not to care even though I know he really does. “Plus, it means I get to attend, and I knew I’d find a way to shadow you, but… I wanted to go together.” His eyes shimmered. “As us.”
I’m pretty sure my heart was melting at the same pace as the butter on my crumpet.
“Are you asking me out, Romano? Again?”
He didn’t deflect, or shrug, or play it cool. He simply nodded, and smiled.
“Yes, Cora Holland. I am.” Then his eyes held mine, in a way that made me want to ask him to never let go. “And I’m hoping you’ll say yes, again.”
And it was in that moment that it solidified in my head that I loved this man.
Saying I liked him was a lie. I just didn’t know how big of a lie until now.
