Page 84 of Embraced in Ink

“Yes, don’t pop a stitch, or your mother will actually murder me.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t say sorry to me about hurting. However, as I said before, your phone went off, and I answered it.”

“It was Marcus, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, and he’ll be here any minute now.”

Bristol froze. “And I look like this?”

“You wanted him by your side before, and you looked worse. I can do your makeup right quick, but he has seen you in every way possible. And you know I love wearing makeup. It’s art, it’s a part of me, but sometimes, it’s armor. It’s a shield. And if that’s what you need, I will help you. But I think you need to see him exactly as you are. Because that’s been the problem this whole time. You’ve hidden part of yourself, and you shouldn’t do that anymore.”

“Sometimes, you’re far too wise and sage for your young age.”

“And, sometimes, you make me believe that.”

Zia leaned down and brushed a kiss over Bristol’s lips. Bristol blinked, looking at her friend.

“What was that for?”

“You scared me so much. I know your family all said this before, but you’re never allowed to do that again. You’re never allowed to almost leave us. Because I love you. No, not in the way that you are finally going to tell the love of your life, but I do love you. And I need you in my life. I'm a horribly selfish person who wants you to be healthy and whole merely for my own needs, and I’m fine with that. Because then you’ll still be here. Okay? So, figure out exactly what it is you want to say to Marcus so he knows how you feel. Don’t hide anymore. You’re both worth far more than that.” And then she kissed Bristol on the lips again, leaving Bristol shocked, and sitting there in silence.

“I have no idea what to say to any of that,” Bristol said honestly.

“You do not have to say anything. Just know that you are loved.” The doorbell rang, and Zia grinned.

“And, this fairy tale ending will now occur.”

“Life isn’t all fairy tales. You and I both know that more than most.”

“I do. Now, make him work for it, and make sure he knows exactly what you want and who you are. Period. If not, I’ll have to beat him up.”

“Zia.”

“Okay, I’ll mock him. But in a loving way, of course. Be good. And be you.” Then Zia went to the door, opened it, and Bristol’s heart stopped.

There was Marcus, wearing a zipped-up leather jacket, jeans and old boots. His face looked drawn as if he hadn’t been sleeping, and she wanted to reach out and hold him, tell him he was okay.

He had to be okay, but was she okay? She was scared. He was here, after a week of not having him, he was finally here. And it felt like a lifetime ago that he’d been here last.

Why did it feel like a year since she’d seen him, rather than only days?

Why couldn’t she say anything?

Zia spoke to him, and Marcus lowered his head, nodding tightly, before Zia left, waving over her shoulder and leaving her and Marcus alone in her home.

Bristol swallowed hard and looked up at him, trying to think of words. Nothing came.

He stood there, stoic, beautiful, the man she wanted to be hers. She didn’t know what to say. And since that was so unlike her, she just sat there and hoped she could find the words.

“Marcus,” she whispered.

“Hey. I tried to give you space. Then I realized that maybe giving you space wasn’t the right thing. I don’t like not knowing what to do when it comes to you. It’s something that I’m not used to, and something I want to fix. So, I’m here now, and I hope you’ll let me stay if only to talk to you for a minute.”

“Come in. I would get up, but I’m still a little tired.”

His jaw tightened, and she knew she had probably said the wrong thing, but she couldn’t take it back. Shewastired. And she had almost died in her own home.