Part 10 (1/2)

Angry, her breathing became heavier. ”Drop it, Marcus. End of discussion.”

I gave a curt nod and turned to leave, not remembering the reason I entered the kitchen in the first place. Before exiting the door, I turned around and said, ”I'll drop it for now, but I will find out what that conversation was about.”

Her nostrils flared as she breathed out. I turned to head back upstairs.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

MIA.

As I sat in cla.s.s, my mind drifted. It'd been a few days since Marcus's surprise party, and since then, he'd been distant. I couldn't put my finger on it. I thought we had shared a special moment. The next morning after the party, I woke to a note that said he had to run off. That was three days ago, and since then, we hadn't seen each other. He'd sent me a quick reply to my text or was short over the phone. I couldn't help but think I was responsible for whatever was troubling him. Although it kept p.r.i.c.king my mind, I pushed it aside and focused on the professor's lecture in my Ethics cla.s.s.

As the cla.s.s ended, I packed my laptop and textbook. I took a quick glance at my phone, but there was still nothing from Marcus. Sighing, I dialed my mother's number and put the phone to my ear as I exited the room. ”h.e.l.lo.” She answered on the second ring.

”Hi, Sara. Are we still meeting up for coffee?” I exited the building and walked down the cobblestone pavement.

”Yes, I should be at the cafe shop in about ten minutes.”

”See you soon.”

As I entered the shop, I spotted an empty table by the far right corner. I made my way there and settled in by placing my laptop bag and textbook aside. Marcus tugged at my thoughts again, and I couldn't help but reach for my phone. Screw the waiting around; if he didn't call me, I'd call him. I needed to hear his voice, so I dialed his number.

”Marcus DeLuca. Leave a message.” The greeting for his voicemail answered after the second ring. He ignored the call. My heart sank a little at that. What could have been so important that he cut my call short? Not wanting to think the worst, I a.s.sumed he must've been on a job and left it at that.

A beep after his greeting sounded, and I left a message, ”Hi, baby, I was just calling to check up on you. I hope you're doing okay. I'm having coffee with my mother in a bit.” Sighing, I finished off saying, ”I miss and love you. Call me tonight. Bye.” I tucked my phone in my pocket at the same moment my mother approached.

”h.e.l.lo, honey.” She reached in for a hug. With my arms wrapped around her, I felt a sense of comfort. I always did when she was near. Sara untangled herself from our embrace and sat in the chair across from me, smiling. ”Let's grab our lattes and then catch up.” I nodded and we both stood and headed toward the counter.

After we ordered, we sat back in our chairs. ”So how was Marcus's surprise party? I'm sorry I couldn't make it. I was needed at the office.” She shook her head, annoyed, as she took a bite of a blueberry m.u.f.fin.

”It was fine. I'm sorry you weren't there, but I understand. It was fun. He enjoyed himself and he was surprised. It was a good night.”

”Oh, I'm happy to hear that.” Brus.h.i.+ng a strand of hair behind her ear, she leaned back in her chair as her expression softened. ”What's bothering you?” I looked up from my cup of latte with wide eyes. ”Come on, Mia. Spill the beans. I think I know you well enough by now to realize when something is on your mind.”

d.a.m.n it. Was I always that predictable? She was right. I had something on my mind and I couldn't concentrate. I let out a deep breath and caved in, telling her everything that I was feeling. I told her about how strange Marcus had been acting the past few days and about the message I had just left him. ”I don't know what's going on with him. It's frustrating.”

Her expression filled with compa.s.sion, and I was grateful she didn't think I was an over-possessive girlfriend. ”Isn't this week the anniversary of his father's death?” I nodded in response. ”Well, maybe this is his way of coping with it.”

”Maybe. I just wish he let me in on things like that. I want to be there for him.”

”And you will. He'll come to you when he's ready, honey. Men don't like to be pressured into anything, especially when it comes to dealing with their feelings. He'll come to you when he's ready.

She was right. I decided I should leave it alone. ”You're right, thank you.”

”No problem, honey.” She reached for my hand and rubbed it as a way to comfort me. ”It'll be fine. Hey, I'm going this weekend to visit my parents in Philly. You should come. Megan and Jeremy are tagging along. And your grandparents are dying to see you.”

Philadelphia? My grandparents? Was I really ready for that?

”I'm not sure. Can I get back to you on that?”

”Of course, we're driving there. It was Megan's idea. She thought a five-hour road trip would be fun. Oh, that girl . . .” She rolled her eyes. ”I'm not sure what to do with her sometimes.” I laughed at that comment. Megan could be a bit over the top.

We finished our lattes, leaned in for a hug, and said our good-byes. She insisted on driving me home, but I wanted to walk to clear my head a bit.

During the entire walk, of course, my mind drifted toward Marcus and the upcoming anniversary of his father's death. Even after fifteen years, I was sure it wasn't easier. I knew how Marcus must feel. I lost my father when I was only fourteen years old. I missed him every day. He had made such a huge impact in my life. I wondered at times, if my father were alive, what his opinion would've been of Marcus. My thoughts were intruded upon by the sound my phone ringing. Thinking it may have been him, I quickly picked it up without looking at the screen. ”h.e.l.lo?”

”Hey Mia, Megan and I are ordering Chinese tonight for dinner, is that cool with you?”

Disappointed that it was Jeremy, I answered, ”Yes, that's fine. Thank you.”

”I'm ordering our usual and Megan wants to add some fried dumplings. You cool with that?”

”Yeah, that's good.” After I agreed, we ended the call.

What the h.e.l.l. I needed to listen to my mother's advice and wait for when Marcus was ready to talk, but if he wasn't ready before the week was over, I was definitely going to reach out to him. I could only take so much of the growing distance between us.

When I arrived at the apartment, Jeremy and Megan were on the couch, cuddling and watching TV. They had already ordered the Chinese food. I told them I was going to get settled in before coming back out to eat with them. I went into my room, put all of my things away, and then entered the bathroom. It was just what I needed- a long hot shower to rid myself of the insecurities planted in my head.

After forty minutes, I was dressed in sweats and a t-s.h.i.+rt, and my hair was tossed up in a messy bun. When I left my room, I saw Megan and Jeremy eating at the bar. I sat on a stool to join them. ”How was school?” Megan asked.

I groaned as I reached for a plate. ”It was okay. I met with Sara afterwards for coffee. How was your day?” I asked as I filled my plate with steamed chicken and vegetables, white rice, and fried dumplings.

”It was good. Ooh, did she mention Philly this weekend?” I responded with a nod. ”Well, are you going? You should bring Marcus. Jeremy is going.”

”I'm only going to judge the so-called famous cheesesteaks I'm always hearing about.” Megan shot him a dirty look. ”Also, to meet Megan's parents and grandparents, of course,” he added and then flashed a huge charming smile.

I laughed and shook my head at Jeremy's goofiness. ”I'm still thinking about it. I'll let you know by tomorrow.”

Megan shrugged and dug into her plate. I played with my food due to the lack of appet.i.te as we continued to talk. ”You want to hear something funny?” Megan asked.

”Sure.” I answered as I sipped on water.

”Jeremy and I were out to dinner last night, and one of his exes approached our table. She asked how his fiancee was doing.”

I about choked on my water! Bursting into a laugh, I wiped a tear from my eye. ”Oh my G.o.d. Was it one of the girls I kicked out?”

”Oh, there was more than one? Interesting.” Megan turned her eyes toward Jeremy.

Jeremy gave me a look before he charmed Megan. ”There was. But you're the one.” He winked at her. She blushed at that, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

”You're weak, Megan.”

Jeremy tossed a dumpling at me. ”Dude, you're supposed to be on my side. Remember? Bros before hos?”