30 Days (Lost Love Trilogy #1) - Belle Brooks Page 0,43
be locking up. Be kind to Marcus. He’s a good man.”
She regards me knowingly. Did he tell her what we did?
“We’re just friends.” I rush out.
“Nevertheless, be kind.” And with that she closes the door.
The shop darkens just as quickly as it lit up. I turn in a circle when I realise I’ve walked out without any bags.
“Just great,” I mumble under my breath.
“Miss McMillian. Are you coming?”
“Huh?” I twist and spot Grady standing a metre from me. When did he arrive? Shit, he’s sneaky.
“Have you forgotten something?” he asks, cheekily.
“Well, yes, my bags.”
“They’ve already been put in the boot. Mr Klein is waiting for you inside the car.”
“Oh.”
“Please allow me to help.” Grady opens the door, and again I’m assisted into the back seat.
“Did you get everything you need?” Marcus says from the shadows.
“Yes, thank you. You really didn’t need to do all this. I promise I’ll return the items back to you when my luggage arrives.”
“They’re yours. I don’t wear ladies’ clothing, so thank you, but no thank you.” He smiles.
“Oh.”
A dim light turns on above us. Marcus has a bag I’d not seen until now resting on his lap.
“So you’re rich, huh?”
He smirks. “I’m comfortable. Rich, no.”
“You just had a whole shopping complex open up for us. I’m going to go with insanely loaded.”
“You definitely call things how you see them, don’t you?”
“It’s pretty obvious you’re Mr Money Bags.”
“I know Katherine well. She did me a favour. It had no price tag attached.”
“How well do you know her? Was she another one of your beautiful opportunities?” I feel guilty the moment the words leave my mouth.
“No.” He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, but why I’m not sure.
“I see.”
A beat passes.
“Katherine is my sister’s best friend. Well, was my sister’s best friend. I’ve known her most of my life.”
“ I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
I twist my fingers together.
“It’s okay. Victoria, my sister, had a happy life. Katherine was a big part of that. I guess sometimes she’s a reminder of what we lost. It’s hard to see her, but I’m glad I did.”
Why did I have to open my big mouth?
The car becomes quiet. The gloom-and-doom look in Marcus’s eyes is heartbreaking. I need to think of a diversion. Eyeing the bag in his lap, I think of the perfect way.
“Been doing a little shopping for yourself, I see. Anything fun in there?” I try the act of playfulness.
“If women’s perfume, toothbrushes, and other feminine products are fun, then yes.”
I swallow hard. “Excuse me?”
“I went to the chemist down the street and grabbed a few things you might need. I’m guessing you didn’t pack toiletries in your carry-on?”
How did he know that I hadn’t? I could have. It would have been smart to do such a thing. I didn’t. “Well … no. Thank you,” I reply, shyly, as he passes the bag over.
“Check the contents before we go, in case I forgot something.”
“I’m sure you nailed it.”
He cocks his eyebrow.
“Okay, I’ll look.” The handles branch outwards—the bag is filled with many items. A hairbrush, travel nail kit, toothbrush and paste, hair ties, and a few different hair fasteners. There are two bottles of deodorant and a box that must house some sort of perfume. A makeup pallet and lipstick fall under my rifling fingers.
“Cherry Blossom?” I ask after reading the colour name.
“Yes, it will look good on you.”
“Makeup expert?”
“Yes.”
I smile. “Okay.” Placing it back in the bag, I have no clue of the actual colour of cherry blossom. However, I assume it to be a shade of pink. As the lipstick drops, I spy a packet of tampons. “You bought me tampons!” I shriek in embarrassment.
He grins, displaying zero humiliation on his part. “Just in case.”
“I’m blushing, aren’t I?”
His grin turns into a smile. “That you are, Miss McMillian. That you are.”
***
“Abigail, we’re here. Wake up,” Marcus says softly.
“Huh? What?”
“We’re here. You fell asleep.”
“I did?” I’m greeted by eyes that promise tomorrow will be even better than today and every day after will top the one before. These are eyes I need to stay clear of. “What hotel are we staying at?” I ask, wiping drool from my cheek.
“We’re not staying at a hotel. Come on, it’s rather late.”
“Can I smell Chinese food?” I say, dazed.
“Yes, I bought some on the way. Are you hungry?”
“Famished.”
“Good.”
Grady opens the car door from the outside. I gaze past him and find myself completely overcome by the large pond—with a big statue—residing in front of a three-storey manor. Pixie lights shine from treetops and