The moment he's gone, I drop my head into my hands.
This is exactly what I was afraid of. Being seen as Marcus Chandler's sister first, a woman to hit on second, and a serious researcher dead last.
My phone buzzes.
King:
How's your day going?
I sigh in relief and type back.
Ivy:
Complicated. Yours?
King:
Better now that I'm talking to you.
My lips stretch into a smile.
Ivy:
You're charming when you want to be.
King:
Only with you.
Ivy:
I doubt that.
King:
It's true. You bring out the best in me.
Before I can respond, raised voices echo in the hallway. One of them is unmistakably Marcus.
"Stay the hell away from my sister."
Oh no!
I save my work and hurry toward the commotion. A small crowd has gathered near the gym entrance. Marcus has Tylerbacked against the wall, one hand fisted in the younger man's shirt.
"Whoa, man!" Tyler says, raising his hands. "I just asked her for coffee!"
"I don't care if you asked her for the time. You don't talk to her. You don't look at her. You don't breathe in her direction."
"Marcus!" I push through the crowd, my face burning with humiliation. "Stop it."
My brother's brown eyes flash with protective fury.
"He was hitting on you."
"And I declined. I'm an adult, Marcus. I can handle unwanted advances without you creating a scene."
He glares at Tyler. "He deserves this."
