Page 29 of Tied Up in Riches
I leave a string of eye-roll emojis and toss my phone on the bed.
Chapter thirteen
Brooke
“Do you know what this party needs?” I ask Lexy and Maci as I stare into the crackling flames of the bonfire. A breeze sends chills across the back of my arms even though I’m standing close enough to the fire to nearly burn my skin through my jeans and tank top.
“What?” Lexy asks, pulling her can of Mango Cart to her lips.
“S’mores.”
“Ooooh. Yes!” Maci downs the rest of whatever is in her Solo cup. “We have everything in the pantry. I’ll go get it.”
I reach for her cup to throw out. “I got it. I have to pee anyway.”
“Okay. There are marshmallow sticks in the garage too!” Maci adds as I start my walk up the low incline of the grassy backyard to Marcus’ house.
I throw a thumbs up over my head and wonder where Marcus is. I haven’t seen him since he was hanging out with his date earlier. He was standing a close, yet respectable distance from her, mostly focused on whatever she was animatedly going on about, but I swear his gaze snagged on mine for a moment when he scanned the party. Maybe it was just a trick of the firelight.
I look back to the fire, spotting a pretty brunette in a jean mini skirt and oversized T-shirt French tucked in the front. She’s chatting with another girl I don’t know, but Marcus is nowhere in sight. Maybe he’s getting her a drink.
Making my way into the house, I open the pantry, finding marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars organized neatly in a wire basket. I pull it from the top shelf and set it on the counter while I search the garage. I’ve never been in the garage before, but I know the door is in the entryway. As I reach for the handle, I hear two voices, distinct and close, like they’re directly on the other side.
“Yeah, she’s hot.” Marcus. “But she’s boring.”
“You’re a genius. Actually.” Dean. “It’s not going to be elementary math finding someone to match your intelligence.”
I lean against the doorframe, head pressed near where the door is closed.
“I don’t think engaging conversation is too much to ask for.” The sticky suction of a garage refrigerator opens, and bottles clink against each other.
Dean chuckles just loud enough for me to hear him, and I imagine he’s rolling his eyes. “Maybe you’re underestimating them. Seriously, man. You work hard. Don’t you think you deserve a break?”
“If I wanted one, yes. But I don’t. I have goals, and I like working toward them.” Released air and a popping sound echo on the other side of the door, and a beer bottle cap hits what I’m assuming is a trash can.
“Alone,” Dean notes.
“Look, I want what you and Maci have. I’d kill for it. Anyone would. But unless I meet someone who I enjoy more than my work, why would I stop?”
“They aren’t just going to walk into your place of employment.”
“Oh, you mean like Maci did?” They both laugh. I know I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but I can’t bring myself to leave. Marcus does seem to work a lot. I’ve been here almost a month and hardly seen him. He hasn’t been present for any movie nights I’ve had with Dean and Maci. He didn’t go to dinner with us last night, and I’ve only seen him in passing in the past few days since presenting my book club proposal.
“Dude. Come on. You have to put in the time and effort. Like you’d do for a business deal. You know that. Agreeing to go to coffee in between meetings with girls Lexy sets you up with hardly counts. And don’t forget that it took Maci and me a year and a half to get to a good place and on the same page.”
“I know. I also know the right girl isn’t the one out there. Genius, remember.”
“Uh-huh. Well, the right one isn’t in here either.”
I barely register the few steps they take until the handle is jiggling in front of me. I stand back enough to not fall into them as the door opens.
“Oh. Hey,” I mumble awkwardly to the two surprised men in front of me. “I’m looking for the marshmallow sticks. Can you help me out?”
“No idea where they are.” Dean slaps Marcus’ shoulder and squeezes it before slipping between the two of us. “I’ll see you out there.”
Marcus clears his throat. “Hey, Brooke.”
“Hi. Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”