“And that’s my fault,” Marc said. “This is my way of making this right.”
The talking turned to numbers, and Lexi tuned them out. She snagged an éclair off the tray and sank back against the wall, wondering, over a cream-filled bite, if Marc wanted to make other things right. And if he did, could she forgive him for what he’d done?
Two éclairs, a cream puff, and a handful of ice chips later, she realized that she could. All she needed was to stop being so scared. Life was crazy and risky and it didn’t always apologize when it was rude—and that was okay.
Lexi smiled and grabbed another éclair.
“I hope you brought enough to share with the class,” said a sexy voice from overhead.
Lexi tilted her head back and stared up into the most beautiful eyes she’d ever seen. Marc was leaning on the pass-through, his forearms leisurely resting on the lower sill, bow tie dangling from his neck, and he smelled so good she wanted to cry.
His eyes were red-rimmed and his smile raw, and she’d bet he was about as miserable as she was. So she held up the last bite—the best bite—and offered it to him.
He didn’t reach out, didn’t take it, just opened his mouth.
Lexi stood up and gently placed it inside. He didn’t nip or lick her fingers; instead, he pressed a gentle kiss to the tips and then straightened.
“I saw you went for a jog last night.”
She froze, her face heating. “You saw?” She was going to kill Abby.
A little smile tugged at his lips. “Not live, unfortunately. But Mrs. Lambert was working late and heard a commotion. She was going to call the cops when she saw a very drunk, very naked woman streaking past. She whipped out her cell and filmed it. You can watch it on YouTube.”
“It’s on YouTube?” Oh God.
“Yup, watched it ten times.” His smile faded and his face went serious. “I am so fucking sorry, Lexi. I screwed up and I got scared, but I never played it fast or loose with you. You have never been a game or a challenge.”
“Marc,” she began, but he placed a finger on her mouth.
“Please let me finish. I have to say this. I fell in love with you when we were fourteen and snuck into the hotel. I didn’t know what it was at the time, but I knew I’d never felt it before and I never wanted it to go away. Then Jeff came along and I lost you. And then my parents…” He broke off and swallowed. “When Jeff went to New York, I didn’t know if I was willing to take the risk of loving someone only to lose them again, so I told you to go after him, and it was the biggest mistake of my life. Well, it was the biggest mistake, until I stood by and let him take your recipes and said nothing.”
“Is what you said to Monte true? Did you really get my recipes back?”
“Not all of them, just the desserts. I pointed out that since he failed to disclose in the divorce proceedings that there was a deal in the works while you were still married, it might be in your best interest to renegotiate the terms of the settlement. Then I threatened to explain to the judge that your desserts were never on the restaurant’s menu and that he’d set you up.”
“Thank you, but I’m sorry that you got stuck in the middle,” Lexi said softly, knowing it was true. She was beyond angry at Jeffery, but she knew how much it must have hurt Marc to lose his oldest friend. “I never wanted you to have to choose between us.”
“Screw the middle, sugar. And as far as I’m concerned, you are my only choice. Ever.”
Marc took a small step back and dropped down to one knee and looked up at her over the pass-through.
“What are you doing?” she whispered, terrified that she was misunderstanding his intentions.
“Taking the biggest risk of my life. I don’t have flowers or candy or a ring, and you have every right to tell me to go to hell, but I’m offering you my love and loyalty and everything that I am.”
He took a breath and just looked at her, and what she saw in his expression made her chest swell.
“You look like your dad right now,” she whispered.
He rose to his feet and tangled her hands with his. “That’s what