Niall (Vigilance 2)

“No! We’re never that bad.”

Leo just stared at me, and I hoped he would hire the waiter, fall for him, and find out exactly what it feels like to be helpless to fight your feelings.

I pulled a USB from my pocket and handed it to him. “Here’s the information I told you about.”

“Great. Now go see your man.”

“Why do you think I’m going to see Marco?”

“You’re all fancied up, and your hair is all perfect.”

“I always dress up, and I’ve never been one to walk around with my hair all a mess.”

“True, but this is different. This is not your boring-suit-hardass-federal-agent look. You took care with what you wore today.”

“Stop analyzing me and get to work on that.” I pointed to the USB.

I had taken care with my outfit, certain parts more than others, but I wouldn’t tell Leo about that, and if things didn’t go well, Marco would never know either.

“He’s good for you,” Leo said as I turned to leave. “Don’t fuck this up.”

I sighed. “I can’t promise that.”

“You can fucking try.”

When I arrived at Marco’s shop, the closed sign was in the window and the door was locked. I knocked but got no response. My phone chimed with a text. It was from Marco, and it was just a series of numbers. The code for the door? I looked up at the second-floor windows, but I didn’t see him watching me. How had he seen me without me realizing it? Falling for him was really throwing me off my game.

I punched in the code, and the door unlocked. As I stepped inside, I was immediately confronted by Cheddar.

Fighting my aversion, I knelt down and held out my hand. Cheddar sniffed it then rubbed the side of her face against my palm.

Tentatively, I scratched her ears.

I heard footsteps, then the door that led upstairs opened and Marco appeared. “I expected you to find your way upstairs quickly, but I see you were dealing with a feline assault.”

I gave him an annoyed look. “Cheddar’s not so bad for a cat. She’s one of the less offensive ones I’ve met.”

“Hear that, sweetie. He finds you less offensive than other cats.”

Cheddar made a sharp mrrrow and trotted over to Marco, who scooped her up and cuddled her against his broad chest. I was absolutely not jealous of the cat.

Marco’s gaze met mine, and my breath caught. Fuck, had he gotten even more gorgeous in the last few days?

“Do you think you could get used to having Cheddar around?

What was he saying? “Um… I think I could.”

“Good.” He didn’t elaborate, and I didn’t ask. “I just got some good news. Elena is going to formally adopt Brianna.”

“That’s fantastic.” We’d all hoped the girl would find a permanent home.

“Come on up. I’ve got steaks marinating, and I just cut up some potatoes.”

“Wait. You’re cooking?”

“Did you assume I couldn’t?”

“Well… Steaks?”

Marco nodded. “You’re making—”

“Your favorite meal. You insisted we order mine, so it only seems fair.”

This version of Marco was so unlike the man I’d originally met that I didn’t quite know how to process it.

I followed him up the stairs and into his apartment. It was nothing like my home, which was spare and utilitarian. Even I thought my place was boring. I just hadn’t taken the time to do anything about it. In Marco’s living room there were knickknacks, pictures, and crocheted afghans everywhere. It was cluttered but cozy, and I liked it. Before I got to know Marco, I would likely have fussed about how he needed to get rid of all this junk. Spending time with him had changed me.

What would happen if things didn’t work out between us? Would I go back to being the way I was before I got to know him? I realized now I hadn’t really been living. I didn’t want to fall into that trap again.

“It smells amazing in here.”

“Thank you.” Marco’s expression softened. Had he been worried I wouldn’t approve? I noticed a pie sitting on a cooling rack.

“Did you make the pie too?”

“I did. It’s cherry.”

He’d even made my favorite dessert? “I… You… I don’t…”

“Sit down.” He pointed toward the small kitchen table.

Even though he’d said this was a date, part of me had worried we didn’t want the same things, but no way would he have cooked for me if he didn’t. I was going to have to go through with the surprise I’d planned.

“Is there anything you’re making that can’t wait a little while?”

Marco gave me a curious look. “No. The steaks are fine to sit longer. Why?”

I turned one of the chairs to face the middle of the kitchen. “I have something to show you.”

He watched me closely as he moved to take a seat. My heart felt like it would beat out of my chest. I wondered if I might actually die of embarrassment, but I ignored those thoughts. I was doing this because Marco deserved it, and I loved him.