One to Chase - Tia Louise Page 0,96

good looks, I see protective fire in his eyes. “She’s still young, and she’s had some tough shit to overcome.”

“She told me.”

He’s quiet again, and we’re at the restaurant now.

“Look, I don’t mind getting this.” I’m out before he can stop me.

It doesn’t take long to get the two bags of takeout, pay, and have us headed back into downtown. He doesn’t speak for much of the way, and I try to think of what I can say to ease his mind. At least I have the advantage of knowing what I’d want for Elaine if the tables were turned.

“I appreciate that I’m a bit older than Amy—”

“Ten years?”

“Right, but I think of that as more an argument in my favor.” My eyes flicker across the dark space to him and then back to the road. “Elaine will tell you. I’ve never been interested in having a serious relationship or settling down.”

Amy’s “Not settling. Flying.” proclamation crosses my mind, and I can’t help a smile. Too much love is in my chest.

“Patrick, believe me when I say I’m in love with your sister. I’ll do everything in my power to keep her happy. I’ll fight any asshole who threatens her... Before long, I intend to ask her to marry me.” He clears his throat, but I keep going. “It’s the only way I can guarantee I’ll make the rest of her life as fulfilled and transformative as she’s made mine. I know she’s your sister, but Patrick, she’s everything to me. I don’t want to live without her.”

Again, quiet fills the car. We’re getting closer to Sylvia’s building, and I don’t want to leave this conversation unfinished. I ease up on the accelerator, giving him time to process everything I just said. Hell, I need time to process everything I just said. I hadn’t even taken the time to be that honest with myself, let alone someone else. But I meant every single fucking word.

Finally, he seems to cave. “Good to know,” he says, nodding. “I realize you’re Elaine’s brother, and we’re somewhat connected, but don’t think I won’t kick your ass if you hurt my sister.”

Exhaling a chuckle, I nod back. “If I ever hurt Amy, I hope you kick my ass into next year.”

“Don’t worry.”

I can’t delay our drive anymore, so I parallel park on the street out front. He takes one of the two bags. I grab the other and press the buzzer for them to let us in. We’re riding up in the elevator when he extends a hand to me.

“Welcome to the family.”

Our eyes meet, and I see him ready to smile. I catch his hand and shake it, smiling back. “Thanks, bro. You’re already in mine.”

“Right.” He laughs. “Still, you’d better let me handle breaking the news on my side.”

“Whatever you say.”

* * *

Amy

Sunshine dances on the tiny waves cresting on Lake Michigan, and I’m sitting at the front of Merritt * Ocracy. The wind pushes my hair back from my shoulders. I’m dressed in a bikini with Marcus’s shirt as a cover-up. Glancing back, he gives me a smile from where he’s at the wheel, guiding us out to the deeper water, where we spent our first amazing weekend on this boat.

Sylvia is doing so well. Bill stayed with her a week, until he insisted he had to get back to the ranch. They still haven’t come out to us, but I’m pretty sure they know we know. Marcus and I stole their thunder with our inability to stop lighting up every time we came within six inches of each other.

Patrick already knew, of course, but Stuart was surprisingly cool with the whole thing. Elaine was concerned about my ability to commit, and I guess I’d understand—if I weren’t in my brain feeling the tidal waves of joy every time Marcus touches me. My middle brother said he’d take care of her, not to worry.

I couldn’t worry. Everything Marcus does, every new thing I learn about him, only draws me closer to him. From the way he took care of his family, to his depth of care for his clients. I think of how he stood up for Paige, even at the risk of our germ of a relationship... Even when I was still pushing him away.

He was right. I had to trust him. He never cheated at all.

Most of all, I can’t get over how he loves me. He’s changed everything in my life. Before, the idea of being with someone, trusting