The Chemistry of Love(75)

“Do you know how I know you didn’t?”

“I’m a terrible liar?” I offered.

“It’s still at my house.”

How had I forgotten the binder? I hadn’t thought of it all week. I’d done some homework on my own based on what Marco had told me, but the binder had totally slipped my mind.

That felt significant, because that binder was like the key to me possibly having a relationship with Craig. My own personal cheat sheet, meant to help me land the supposed man of my dreams.

Supposed? Where had that come from?

“I forgot. I’ve been busy.”

“Yes, changing the face of the cosmetic industry.”

That, and spending my free time either with him or talking to Catalina about spending time with him. She loved every single detail, and it was fun to share.

“Here,” he said, reaching inside his inner suit pocket. He handed me a piece of gum. I held that shiny rectangle in my hand, looking at it.

“You brought me gum?” Could he hear the emotion in my voice? He was so thoughtful.

“I figured you might need it tonight.”

A swell of emotion made me feel choked up. Like I could shed actual tears right now. “You’re a really good man, Marco.”

He grimaced and looked away. “If you knew what I was thinking right now, you wouldn’t say that.”

Mentally, I seized on his statement. What was he thinking? Was it about me? About our situation?

Deciding that ignoring it was probably best in order to keep this encounter embarrassment-free, I said, “There’s nothing you could say that would change my mind. You’re the kind of guy who would sit on the floor of a public bathroom to comfort a crying girl in a costume at a not-costume party.”

He stayed silent for a moment and then said, “Anna, there’s something I need to confess.”

My lungs solidified in my chest, and I couldn’t move.

“My dad thinks I’m not a serious person. Mostly because of the serial dating. I told you this arrangement was just about you and Craig and protecting Minx. But I realized that if I dated someone more . . . down-to-earth, he might see me differently.”

“Oh.” That wasn’t at all what I’d hoped he would say. I felt like I should be offended, but it might be a bit hypocritical, given that he’d offered to let me use him to get Craig. “I wish you’d told me before. A heads-up that you had another ulterior motive would have been nice.”

“You’re right. I should have done that. I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. And I would have still agreed. You just should have said something.”

“I’m not always good at speaking up when I need to,” he said in a way that felt like it was a loaded statement and something I so related to. “Can you forgive me?”

“Of course,” I said, meaning it one hundred percent. I couldn’t be mad at him for running a scheme when I was running my own.

He reached for my hand and held it, squeezing it gently. “Thank you.” Another energy-filled moment passed between us. Then he said, “There’s my brother and his fiancée. We should give them a show. Would you like to dance?”

I glanced over at Craig and Leighton. She looked stunning in an off-white dress, and he was handsome in his tuxedo. While I knew, obviously, that Craig was going to be here, I was expecting to have more of a reaction to us finally being in the same place at the same time. I had anticipated that I would be excited to see him. That I would be dying to talk to him.

Instead, all I could think about was Marco and the gum he had been carrying around in his pocket.

Realizing that he was waiting for me to answer his invitation, I nodded, unsure of what was happening with the way emotions were rolling around inside me. A detached part of my brain wondered what color my lips were right now. If they were changing like a chameleon to reflect all this inner turmoil. Was I still a little bothered by his confession? Touched by his thoughtfulness? Worried about talking to Craig? All those things at once? I unwrapped the gum and put it in my mouth. He automatically took the wrapper from me and stuck it in his pocket so I wouldn’t have to worry about the trash.

How had we been friends for only a couple of weeks? It felt like it had been years, with us anticipating each other’s needs. Him taking care of things before I even asked.

We moved into position, only this time, he pulled me in close, like he just had in the bathroom. When we’d danced at his apartment, we had left enough space between us that a person could have walked between us comfortably.

Now? Nothing was getting through, as we were pressed against each other.

My nerves were firing and misfiring anxiously, making me shaky. I was still feeling full of adrenaline after our bathroom encounter.

At least, that’s what I blamed it on.

Which Marco definitely noticed. “Relax.” He murmured the word against my earlobe, and my knees almost buckled. Good thing he was holding me. “You’re supposed to be enjoying this. People are supposed to think we’re falling in love.”

That was the entire problem. I was enjoying it too much.

“I know,” I whispered back.

“After all that time we’ve spent together, I thought you’d be more comfortable with me by now.”

Me too. But if anything, I felt more aware of him, more afraid of what I was feeling.