Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
This was definitely something I would miss in Atlanta.
Marcus had a lot of windows and tons of natural light in the house, which I fucking loved. I opened windows and turned on music, danced and sang with a side of cooking. I was really feeling The Weeknd right now, so that shit was getting extra time on my playlist.
Cooking always made me happy. I mean, people needed food, right? So there was something cool about being the one to provide it to them.
The meal was about halfway done when I spun around to the music, only to see a person standing across the kitchen from me. My heart jumped, and I thought I was about to kick some intruder’s ass before I realized it was Corbin. “Shit. Sorry. I didn’t hear you ring the bell.” I turned the music off.
“I didn’t. Sorry. I’m not used to doing that at Marcus’s. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Oh, no. You don’t have to just because I’m here. I didn’t mean that.”
Corbin hadn’t been here a lot since I moved in. I couldn’t help wondering if that was because of me. While I knew they all spent a lot of time together, I didn’t know how much, so I wasn’t sure if it had changed.
The oil popped in the skillet on the stove. “Fuck.” I began coating my pork chops and placing them inside. “I’m making dinner for Marcus tonight. I’ve decided that’s a thing I want to do for him. Do you want to eat with us? There’s enough.”
“Nah, I’m good. I don’t want to interrupt. I was in the neighborhood and wanted to see what he was up to tonight.”
“Then eat with us. Or if you want to hang out with him, just the two of you, that’s fine. He can eat later or whatever.” Corbin must be here for a reason. My dinner could wait.
“Nice dance moves,” Corbin said instead of answering.
“Nice change of subject,” I countered, making him laugh.
“Jesus, you’re just like him. Not letting me get away with anything.”
“Oh please. I’m not nearly as bad as Daddy Marcus.” I winked, and Corbin chuckled.
“He’s the worst.”
Yeah, he was, but… “He’s also kinda the best,” I replied.
Corbin’s forehead bunched up into a couple of wrinkles, his gaze scrutinizing me, before he said, “Yeah, he is. Are you guys gonna get married? Because I’m telling you right now, Parker isn’t gonna like someone else stealing his marriage thunder until after his upcoming ceremony.”
I gasped. “Gross. No. Not Marcus, of course, because he’s fine as fuck, but marriage.” I shuddered. “Not for me.”
“No shit. Same.” Corbin hopped up on the counter. “You’re gonna burn your pork chops.”
“Fuck.” I turned to the stove and lowered the heat before flipping them. Corbin was fun, and we’d never spent time just the two of us before.
“But you like Marcus,” he continued.
I shrugged because what was the point in lying? “Yeah. Who wouldn’t like Marcus? We’re just having fun until I leave, though.”
Corbin nodded just as a sound came from the front door, and a few seconds later Marcus came into the kitchen. His gaze landed on me first, then Corbin. “Get off my counter,” he said.
Corbin laughed and jumped down. “Daddy is so strict.”
“I know, right?”
Marcus pointed at me. “Don’t you start too. The two of you together means trouble.” He pressed a kiss to Corbin’s temple. “Hey, kid.”
“Hey,” Corbin replied.
“Smells good,” he told me.
Corbin looked back and forth between us. “Um…so, this is cute. The two of you have become very domestic.”
I pretended to gag. Marcus smacked Corbin upside the head. We were awesome, functioning adults.
“I’m making pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, and cornbread.”
“Bone in?” Marcus cocked a brow.
“Is there any other kind?”
“That’s my boy,” he said, and I curtsied.
Corbin covered his mouth. “Cough—boyfriends—cough.”
“Shut up, Corbin,” Marcus and I said at the same time.
“Why is everyone always telling me to shut up?”
“Because you never do?” Marcus countered.
“You love it. Anyway, I’m outta here. Have a good night, you two crazy kids.”
Marcus’s gaze shot to me, and I could see the uncertainty in his stare, as if he didn’t want to hurt my feelings by asking Corbin to stay, but didn’t want his friend to leave either.
“Make him stay and eat with us!” I said, pulling the food from the pan and setting it on a plate. “He kept telling me no. Maybe you can force him to.”
There was a silent thank-you in the private wink Marcus sent my way. “Sit down and eat with us, Corb.”
“I have shit to do.”
“You’ll hurt my feelings,” I added.
“I’m sorry, but I’m meeting up with this guy in a little while who gives the best head I’ve ever had. I mean, seriously…head or pork chops? I’m sure your food is good, but I think with my dick. Ask everyone.”
A snicker slipped past my lips. As far as excuses went, it was a good one.