Slow Ride by Bronwen Evans

Author:Bronwen Evans [Evans, Bronwen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bronwen Evans

Chapter Thirteen

“I knew there was more to the house being painted. The way Marcus acted when he saw you in that ball dress; possessive is too passive a word. So, when did this all begin? At Lexie and Kade’s wedding in Maui?” Kendra asked as they sat around the table, eating the lunch they’d picked up. Connor had wanted sushi, so they’d visited the fish market, walking hand in hand for the first time, and Stella wondered if her feet even hit the ground.

They were a couple. She knew it was early days, but she had a fantastic feeling about everything.

She looked at Marcus. “Sort of?”

“What the hell does that mean?” Kendra persisted.

Marcus spoke up. “We’ve been friends with benefits since your twentieth birthday at Porter’s Bar, but in Maui we discovered we wanted more.”

Hearing him say those words… it still seemed unreal. He was committing to a relationship.

“Since my… all these years?” She turned to look at Stella. “You kept this from me?”

“Until today there was nothing I was proud of sharing.”

That shut her friend up.

“I, for one, think it’s wonderful. I’m happy for Marcus and Stella. Two people I despaired of ever settling down found each other. They should write stories about this sort of thing.” Stella had always liked Tom, but she could jump up and hug him.

She watched Marcus closely, but he didn’t flinch at the words ‘settling down’. “So, are you going to live with Marcus once they’ve finished painting your apartment? Surely it’s done by now?” Nor did he flinch at Kendra asking if they would remain living together.

She hadn’t thought about that. She’d just been happy to finally have a relationship that wasn’t hidden from those they knew. Stella wanted to stay in Marcus’s apartment because she still worried about his back and the pain meds he was on. She knew how strong his will power was when he put his mind to something, but even so… if his pain grew worse or he had another episode like in Maui what would he do? Those pills were addictive, and he had enough problems with just his back. Living together might be too much straight away and she didn’t want to spook him before they’d even really started.

She didn’t know what to say because Marcus forbade her from telling Kendra or Tom about how painful his back was. The painting ruse wouldn’t hold for long.

“We haven’t thought that far ahead but the paint fumes are still quite strong, so I guess I’ll have the pleasure of having Stella with me for at least another week, or maybe until after the charity ball in two weeks. It seems silly to move your belongings and work home when you're busy with last-minute tasks.”

Her body warmed. Marcus still wanted her with him.

“That sounds sensible,” Tom said. “Speaking of the ball, I assume you’re going with each other?”

“Of course.” She smiled at Marcus’s response. Her intention had always been to attend the ball with Marcus, but now it would be as his girlfriend.

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