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“Then don’t think of it as sharing. Think of it as not losing her.”
Marcus looks away. But maybe I’ve planted a seed.
I don’t know if he can share. I don’t know if any of us can. But I know none of us want to lose her.
Twenty minutes later, I’m standing in my living room, looking down at the water on the hardwood floors with a sigh. While Marcus finishes up I mop up the mess as best I can. I might have to replace some of the floors, but I can’t do that today.
Marcus looks antsy, bouncing on his heels. He wants to get to Margo. Wants to keep Cole from… doing whatever it is Cole does.
“Let’s go,” I mutter, hopping in Marcus’s passenger side.
Marcus gets in, cranks the engine, and heads down to the kitchen. The roads are slippery but his four-wheel-drive helps, and we make it down the hill in two minutes.
When we walk into the kitchen, I already know something’s happened. It’s too quiet. Cole’s never quiet.
Marcus barrels past me, coming to the same conclusion.
We find Cole with his tongue stuck out in concentration, Margo barking orders at him.
“No, a loop, Cole, like tying your shoes.”
“I’m trying,” he argues.
I snort out a laugh and Marcus just stares at them.
“What are you two doing?” Marcus asks grumpily.
Margo turns toward us, smiling, brown eyes a little too bright.
“Black-frosting roses,” she answers. “Although Cole keeps screwing it up.”
“I’m doing my best.” He huffs and throws down the piping bag. “Let them try.”
“Hey,” Margo says, frowning. “I was only kidding. You did a great job.”
Cole looks at her, giving her a bright, boyish smile. It’s miles apart from his public persona grin.
Fuck. My heart starts to race. He’s falling in love with her.
I know Marcus has already fallen. I may have talked him into sharing her. I’m not sure I’ve talked myself into it. But now Cole, too… Will I just fade into the background?
Margo smiles back and Marcus clears his throat.
“Weather’s getting bad again.”
Margo looks at him, frowning.
“Oh, Marcus, you’re soaking wet. You’ll freeze.”
“M’fine,” Marcus mumbles, but he leans toward her when she walks closer. “I’ve got a change of clothes in my truck for stuff like this.”
Margo frowns deeper and touches his arm. “Go get it, then, before it starts to storm again.”
Marcus stares at Cole over her head.
Cole stares back, still grinning.
Marcus huffs and starts to head outside to the truck.