“Too long,” Marcus deadpanned.
“Yeah, way too long, and I didn’t know you played the freaking piano.” Something darted between his legs—Rascal, a puffing Jazz right behind. Digging in with sharp claws, the kitten climbed Alex’s pants leg, and he winced, cursed, and then, held Rascal close.
“Sorry, he got away from me,” Jazz murmured, reaching for the kitten.
“He’s looking for his Daddy Two,” Marcus said.
Alex rolled his eyes. “He’s a menace,” he said, but then ruined the stern glance by burying his face in Rascal’s fur and humming some cute words that made Rascal wiggle in his hold. “Go to Daddy One?” he said and passed Rascal over, the two exchanging a quick kiss. They didn’t do a lot of PDAs here, but in front of Marcus, they seemed chill.
And in front of me.
I didn’t know where to start unpacking how I felt about that.
“How did you two meet?” I blurted.
Alex shook his head. “It’s no secret, and Marcus can tell you all about that; I have a meeting with the veterinarian at the Guardian Rescue.” He departed with a wave and muttered good luck.
Marcus waited until Alex left. “We met in rehab. At the time, he was just about to leave, finishing up his program, and I was only starting my journey.”
I watched him, seeing the distant look in his eyes as he remembered. “What were you both there for?”
“I can’t speak for Alex, but I was dealing with… well, I was a chaotic mess. Addicted to everything I could get my hands on, messing shit up.”
“But you got through it together?”
“Yeah, something clicked between us, and when Alex decided he wanted to help others, I left the hospital and joined him. That’s how Guardian Hall began.” Marcus smiled faintly, pride softening his expression. “Our way of turning the worst parts of our lives into something good.” His honesty moved me, and all my tangled emotions loosened. Marcus had faced his demons and emerged stronger. If hecould do it, maybe I could too. “I can’t believe I never told him I played piano,” he added. “I mean, I haven’t played since it all started. I might not even remember how.”
“I bet it’ll all come back to you. I can’t wait to hear you.”
Marcus’s eyes locked on mine. “I guess I better practice when it gets here, and you can play the guitar.”
I hesitated, my chest tightening. The idea of picking up an instrument again felt daunting and even risky. Memories lingered, shadows from the past I wasn’t ready to confront. “I’m not sure,” I admitted. “The guitar—I haven’t played since before everything happened. I’m nervous it might trigger something, you know?”
Marcus’s expression was filled with understanding. “We can take it slowly. Only when you’re ready, okay?”
The patience in his voice eased some of the tension winding around my chest. I drew a breath, determined to face at least this fear. “I’ll try,” I said firmly, despite the lingering uncertainty. “Maybe it won’t be so bad.”
The letter I’d started writing to my parents and sister remained unfinished, tucked away in myroom, but it no longer felt impossible. It was just incomplete, a task for another day.
He smiled, and my heart nearly leaped out of my freaking chest. My attraction to Marcus had grown so big I didn’t know what to do with it. It had become this powerful, overwhelming thing—intense and impossible to ignore. He didn’t treat me like a patient or a fragile mess, but as an equal. He listened to my thoughts, no matter how scattered they were. He held my hand on the short walk to the coffee shop, offering support without ever needing to say a word. When we hugged goodbye, he’d taken to kissing me on the cheek, always careful. Sometimes, his lips brushed my scar, other times beside it. I longed for those moments when his kisses landed on unscarred skin, craving every subtle, tender sensation of his lips touching me, memorizing each fleeting moment.
I wanted a proper kiss, I thought. Or did I? The confusion gnawed at me—was this attraction, or was I mistaking his kindness for something more? My mind spun, all tangled with questions I wasn’t ready to answer. Marcus’s caring was honest, genuine, and unmistakable. But was the heat pooling in my stomach a sign my long-dormant sex drive was waking, or gratitude twisting intosomething confusing and new? I didn’t have the answer yet, but part of me was desperate to find out. I began to pace again, wall-to-wall, in the empty room.
“Are you okay?” Marcus’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. He touched my arm to stop me from walking around like an idiot. My skin felt tight, stretched too thin by nerves and anxiety, and his touch helped.
“I’m nervous as hell,” I admitted. I tried for a laugh, but it was weak.
“You’re going to do great.” Marcus stepped closer, his gaze searching mine. “I wouldn’t have asked you to assist with this if I didn’t know you could.”
His confidence gave me strength. “Thanks,” I whispered, my voice shaking a little.
He reached out, taking my hand. “What are you mostly worried about?”
“That all the words I have in my head will just go.” I touched my face. “That this will scare Cole off.”
Something in Marcus’ eyes shifted, and I didn’t want to see him disappointed in me or ask me questions. Without thought, I moved and the distance between us vanished. Marcus’s breathcaught, but he didn’t move away. Instead, his arms wrapped around me, holding me close. I pressed into him, warmth flooding my chest as the embrace lingered.
“Marcus,” I breathed out, looking into his eyes, feeling the walls I’d built around my heart crumbling.
