“I’m just so damn happy to see you,” I say as we pull apart the next second. Bro-code and all, we keep physical touching to a split-second max.
“You saw me yesterday,” he says dryly.
“What can I say, I can’t go a day without seeing your pretty face,” I joke.
He shoots a glare at me. “I’m not pretty.”
“Yes, you are, Pretty-Boy,” Willow says as she hooks her arm into his.
Marcus just shakes his head, then he looks at Evie. I notice the slight movement as Evie scoots closer to me. There’s a nervous look on her face as she starts to worry her bottom lip.
My eyes dart between Evie and Marcus, giving them a moment.
When Marcus moves forward, Willow lets go of his arm.
Evie takes a step back right before Marcus wraps her up in a hug.
“Oh,” the word pops from her, and her green eyes grow huge as saucers. It takes her a minute to respond, and her movements are careful as she wraps her arms around Marcus’ waist.
“I’m sorry I was such a bastard to you,” he whispers.
Willow walks to me and taking my hand she pulls me away from them so they’ll have some privacy.
“He needs to do this,” she whispers.
I strain my ears to hear what he’s saying to Evie, and luckily Willow doesn’t drag me away too far.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for Willow. Thank you for being there for her when I wasn’t. Especially during the surgery.”
As she presses her cheek to his chest, I have a clear view of Evie’s face. She shuts her eyes tightly as a smile curves around her full lips.
“You’re welcome,” she whispers.
When Marcus finally lets go of Evie, I step forward, and the second she’s within my reach, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her to my side.
I feel her fingers grab hold of my shirt.
I don’t let go of her as we walk through the house.
“Where’s my birthday girl?” Marcus yells.
“Who’s your girl? I’m a woman, darling. You should know seeing as you paid for it,” Miss Sebastian shrieks from the direction of the bedroom.
We hear her heels clicking rapidly on the tiles and then she comes hurrying into the living room.
Marcus opens his arms wide, just in time to catch her. Wrapping his arms around her, he lifts her feet off the floor which makes Miss Sebastian shriek with laughter.
When he sets her back down, he frames her face, and says, “Happy birthday, babe.” He presses a firm kiss to her mouth.
“Who’s the stranger fondling my wife?” Ryan shouts as a smile warms his face.
Marcus tucks Miss Sebastian in under his arm as he shakes Ryan’s hand. “You better hold on tight to her. One of these days I’m going to steal her.”
“Aww, you guys,” Miss Sebastian gushes, in her element with being the center of attention.
“You’ll have to get in line, dude,” I say, which has the desired effect on Miss Sebastian.
“You haven’t even wished me happy birthday yet!” She pulls free from Marcus’ hold and stalks towards me.