Back to Me (Carolina Rebels 1)

It’s difficult to hold in my laugh. Lizzy isn’t impressed either.

“Lovely? Really?” She downs the rest of her drink and Marc stops a waitress walking by, even though she’s not the waitress who has been tending to us, and orders her another drink.

“You are quite possibly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’ve seen a lot of beautiful women.”

I can’t stop the giggles this time. Marc glares at me, but I can’t help it. This is the first time I’ve seen him try to charm a woman.

“I’m guessing by her laugh, that’s another line,” Lizzy says in a flat tone.

“Ignore Meredith. She doesn’t know anything.” The waitress drops off her drink and he says, “Tell me about yourself, Elizabeth.”

“Lizzy. I’m a bank teller.”

“That’s it?”

“Quit being so nosy,” Noah whispers in my ear.

“Ssh,” I shush him. He’s making me miss their conversation.

“Don’t you want to go home?” He kisses my neck. “Poor Leo is at home all by himself. He needs a treat for being a good boy, and I need a treat for being a good hockey player and fiancé.”

I roll my eyes, but Marc’s laugh pulls me back to his conversation.

“Why do I need to smile?” Lizzy asks.

“I want to know you’re capable. And if you can be this beautiful frowning, then I can’t imagine what you’d be like smiling.”

“You’re full of shit,” Lizzy fires at him. “Anyone ever tell you that?”

“And you’re a piece of work,” he easily replies.

I poke his arm and he looks at me. “What are you doing?” I whisper, watching Lizzy attempt to remove his arm from her shoulders and he puts it right back.

“Are you upset that I called her the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen? Are you getting jealous, Meredith? You hear this, Rams?” I laugh as he wiggles his eyebrows at me. “Your woman wants me.” He yelps and swivels to look at Lizzy, who is now smiling and laughing.

“Are you sure you want him at our wedding?” Noah asks me.

“Absolutely. We can’t not invite everyone’s favorite Rebel.”

Noah shakes his head. “Mere, I love you, but the love fest with Marco has to stop.”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t be jealous. You’re the one who gets to take me home and who gets to marry me. That means you’re extra special.”

He grins, but then we’re distracted by the screech Lizzy’s chair makes as she scrambles out of it. If it wasn’t for Scott reaching out to steady her, she’d be on the floor right now. She looks angry as she says something to him, but I can’t hear what.

Marc must, though, because he says, “Hey, I was just messin’ with you, Elizabeth. No need to get your panties in a bunch and leave.”

She quickly glares at him. “It’s Lizzy!” she nearly shouts.

The table falls silent at the commotion.

“You’re one uptight woman, aren’t you?”

Oh, my god! What is Marc doing? Why does he keep sticking his foot in his mouth? Lizzy’s jaw nearly hits the floor.

“That’s enough, Marco,” Scott tells him.

“Marco?” Lizzy asks, c