Page 45 of Before We Were Us
His excitement has him wiggling happily in his chair.
“Tall, dark eyes, and milk chocolate skin. His smile is gorgeous and his hands.” His eyes go wide. “He came in for a cup of coffee, and I upgraded him with a complimentary peachy.” It’s the name he uses to refer to his peach Danishes. Anyone overhearing the conversation I am sure would think he was referring to something else.
“I wrote my number on the napkin I placed in the bag. I took a chance on him either throwing it away or ignoring it all together.”
“I take it the outcome swung in your direction.”
“Oh he most definitely swings my way,” he adds with an overexaggerated wink. “He showed back up a few hours later, asked me to dinner and um.” He leans in closer. “Let me just say the man knows how to cook a killer omelet, if you get what I’m saying.”
“You tramp!” She scoffs playfully.
“Oh honey, I tramped it up all night long and into the morning.” We all laugh and Marco proceeds to overshare because with us he knows he can.
I love seeing him so happy.
Six years ago Marco lost his fiancé in a vehicle accident. His heart was broken, as he and Josh had been together since they were twenty-one. He always tells Taylor and I that he met us exactly when he needed us most. In us he found the strength he needed to stand tall, even when his heart was empty.
“He’s thirty-seven,” he continues. “So a little older than me, but older men are hot.”
I’ll give him that, Jensen is ten years older than me and I found that fact extremely appealing. Like he’d gotten all the immaturity out of his system. But apparently he’d moved on to adultery. I shake clear the thoughts and focus on Marco.
“He has never been married, has no children, but would like them.”
Marco and Josh talked about adopting.
“He says with his education always taking a front seat he is now ready to settle down and build a life. It’s scary, but it's also so incredibly inspiring. He recently bought a house, is the Chief of Peds at Lurie Children’s Hospital. To hear him talk about his career, and the kids, the families he works with and,” he sighs. “I swear ladies I could just sit for hours and listen to him talk. The deep milk chocolate voice matches his skin tone.”
“When do we get to meet this dream man?” I ask and notice how his face lights up as he looks up over my head.
“Right now.” Instantly anyone can tell how pure joy washes over him as he stands and moves around us. I spin in my chair and feel like I’ve run into a wall of godliness. This man, wow, he’s incredible and tall didn’t cover it. I swear he’s got to be seven feet tall. Okay maybe not that tall, but wow.
Did I already say that?
“Ladies.” Marco steps up to his side and once he’s there I realize that I may have exaggerated a bit on the height thing. Because Yes Marco is over six feet, but this guy only has a couple inches on him. “This is Keeton.”
For Taylor and I both to be at a loss for words speaks volumes.
“I’ve heard a lot about you both.” Marco was right, his voice is dreamy. “It’s great to finally meet you.”
“You too,” I finally choke out, then look at Marco with wide, oh my hell, eyes. Why do I feel like I’ve literally swallowed my tongue?
“Wow!” After Taylor stares at the man for a freakishly long time she squawks out the one word which makes him laugh. Of course his chuckle is even sexier than his voice.
“Wow to you too,” he says, grinning as a dimple plays peekaboo on his left cheek. “Marco said the two of you were gorgeous but I feel like he was underplaying your beauty.”
“Thank you.” I can’t help but laugh at my best friend and I poke her shoulder. “Stop staring,” I tell her and she blinks but still watches him.
“Hello?” All three of us laugh at Taylor who is never this quiet. In fact I don’t think I have ever seen her in this state.
“I can’t stop! Pinch me,” she mumbles, “shove me off my chair, my God do something. I am embarrassing myself.”
Suddenly, the God we now know as Keeton steps forward and wraps Taylor in a hug. His shoulders shake with laughter.
“Oh my, you are hilarious,” he tells her and all I can think is, she is never going to let him go now.
twenty-eight
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