Unexpected by Kelly Rimmer

Author:Kelly Rimmer
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2019-03-19T18:56:59+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Marcus

“RAIN, HAIL OR SHINE” seemed like a good idea when Paul and I decided on this workout regime in the summer, but this morning it’s sleeting a little, and Abby must be starting to rub off on me because it feels too fucking cold to be outside. I’m not going to be the one to back out from the challenge, though, and when Paul seems unfazed, I fall into step beside him alongside the river.

“This is stupid,” he says after about a mile. The ground is icy, and we’ve both almost slipped a few times despite the salt on the pavement. It doesn’t help that I’m distracted—I’m thinking about my next move with Abby, since we’re supposed to have sex again tomorrow. Paul knocks the pace right back to walking and mutters, “Maybe we should stick to the treadmills when ice is falling from the sky.”

“Agreed.”

Now that we’re not running, we quickly catch our breath, and the silence feels odd. Paul glances at me.

“How’s things with Abby?” he asks.

“Going well actually,” I say. “Do I ask you how you’re doing?”

“We had mediation last week. I think I’m just going to give her the fucking vacation home. It’s getting too ugly. I don’t understand—she was never like this when we were married.”

I wince. Paul sounds utterly bewildered. It’s not a look he wears often.

“Sorry, Paul.”

“Yeah,” he sighs. “Me, too. So you and Abby—I know there’s the baby thing, but do you think you’re going to try to make it work? As a couple, I mean.”

“Well,” I say cautiously. “We’re not there yet, but I’m working on it.”

“Look at you.” Paul laughs. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Hang on. Didn’t you bet money me and Abby would get together?”

“Sure.” He shrugs. “I thought it was inevitable that at some point you and Abby would date, she’d fall in love and you wouldn’t, then you’d smash her heart into teeny, tiny smithereens and your friendship would be shot.” I glare at him, and he winces. “Don’t take it personally, Marcus, but I’ve known you for a long time. When you said the L-word at lunch last week, I nearly fell off my chair. If Jess had proposed a bet that was about love, I’d have bet way more money, and I’d have bet against you.”

“Thanks, asshole,” I mutter.

“So if you’ve been bitten by the love bug, I guess you’ve changed your thoughts on marriage, too?”

“Marriage?” I repeat, then I shake my head. “Fuck, Paul, we’re not even together yet—not really. That’s a bit of a stretch.”

“But it is in the cards if you do win her over, right?”

“Can I imagine living with her forever, as friends? Easily. Can I imagine being with her together, as a couple? Maybe. Do I think we need to make that formal in any way if we do figure it out and end up together? Definitely not. But if Abby feels the same way I do, we’ll figure something out.”

“I see,” he says thoughtfully. “But...you think you’re in love with her, right?”

Argh.

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