And much as he didn’t want to admit it, Marcus intrigued him. Lillie was right: Marcus was a sad man, and despite all his internal warnings, Tyler wondered why.
“Were you mean to my uncle?”
Tyler met Marcus’s hungry gaze and knew he was thinking of how only moments before their tongues had been down each other’s throats, both of them moaning in ecstasy. Tyler had never fallen so hard, so fast. His breathing quickened.
“No, honey, he wasn’t mean to me.” He choked out those words, heat rising in his cheeks. “But—”
“Your uncle and I had a misunderstanding, but I think it’s cleared up now, right?” Marcus cut in smoothly.
“Uh, it was?”
“Yes.” Marcus’s earlier discomfort seemed to have melted away, leaving in its wake the confident, slightly arrogant man Tyler expected. He longed to contradict Marcus, but Tyler couldn’t afford to lose this job. It wasn’t only about him now. He had responsibilities he couldn’t afford to screw up.
Lillie tugged on his sweats. “Can Marcus stay for breakfast?” She glanced over her shoulder at Marcus, and damn the man if that cocky grin wasn’t plastered all over his face.
Lucky for Tyler, he knew Marcus had better things to do with his mornings than hang out in a run-down apartment with Tyler and his family, eating pancakes. Lillie would have to understand.
“I don’t think—”
“I’d love to.” Marcus gave him a smug smile. “I can make the coffee.”
“Don’t you have someplace you need to be?” said Tyler, more sharply than usual.
“That’s not nice.” Lillie stood with her hands planted on her hips. “You always said to be nice to visitors. And he’s your friend, isn’t he?”
Was he? Marcus quirked a brow in a silent question, a quizzical smile curling his lips.
Knowing defeat when he saw it, Tyler conceded to the only person who ruled his heart. “I guess he is.” He held out his hand to Lillie who squealed and took it, pulling him into the kitchen. “Let’s make pancakes.”
Chapter Seven
‡
“Marcus.” Julian rushedpast the crowd waiting at the front of the restaurant and grabbed him in a hug.
A month had passed since Julian and Nick had returned from their honeymoon, yet this was the first time they’d all had a chance to get together for a late-afternoon brunch. He, Zach, and Sam may have gone to dinner once a week and they’d even come to the club several times, it was never the same when all of them weren’t together.
The hostess, Steph, led them to their usual table, and her face lit up with happiness when Julian and Nick gave her a present from their honeymoon.
“Thank you, guys.” She opened the box to reveal a beautiful leather handbag. “Oh wow, it’s gorgeous.”
“It’s for putting up with us, especially Marcus hitting on all the waiters and busboys.” Julian kissed her cheek, and Nick hugged her; then they slid into their seats.
Marcus surveyed his friends, and the tension he hadn’t been aware of melted away. He didn’t often speak of it, but he needed these men, probably more than they needed him, especially now that they’d paired up and were creating homes that, knowing Zach, eventually would include children. He wondered how long it would be before these times would be lost forever.
“It’s good to have you back, Juli.”
“Aww, did you miss me, Marc?” Julian teased. “Don’t say you’ve gone all sentimental on me.”
“Oh, fuck off.”
“There’s the Marcus we know and love.” Nick smiled at him and sipped his beer. He nudged Julian. “Are you going to ask him, or will I?”
“It was your idea from the beginning, so you get to do the honors.”
“Ask me what?” After choosing a breadstick, Marcus offered the breadbasket to Zach, who took a roll, then handed the basket over to Sam.
“Well,” said Nick, bracing his elbows on the table. “How’d you do with the bet? It’s been over three months now, so I’m sure you’re back on the prowl, but did you hold out?”
