Because of Low (Sea Breeze #2)(46)

“I’m thrilled you came. Marcus never brings girls to dinner. Your presence is very welcome.”

“Can I help you with anything Mama?”

He called her Mama. How freaking cute was that?

“No honey, you and Willow have a seat. Amanda is bringing the pitcher of tea and then we’ll be ready.”

Marcus pulled out a chair for me and I sat down while he pushed it back in. Then he walked over and did the same thing for his mother. “Here you go,” he said, smiling down at her. The love in her eyes as she gazed at him was unmistakable. Marcus was very well loved. No matter what his family issues were, his mother and his sister adored him. But then, how could they not.





Chapter Eighteen





Marcus



My mother prattled on about the upcoming Sea Breeze Seafood Festival and the charity event she was heading up. Willow was perfect. She acted interested in my mother’s pointless chatter and even kept the conversation going with questions about the event. Amanda caught my attention twice. She was very happy with Willow. Right now having my mother preoccupied was the best thing and Willow was doing a fantastic job. It took all my will power not to lean down and kiss her senseless. When Willow asked if there was anything she could do to help, my mother’s face lit up like the Fourth of July. Relief at seeing a real smile on her face made it easier to swallow my food. The sick knot in my stomach at the devastation shining in her eyes when we’d arrived had felt like a lead weight in my stomach. But with each smile Willow brought out of her I could eat more easily and relax. Amanda’s tense posture had also eased. By the end of the meal I’d given up all pretenses of not being as fascinated with Willow as my mother was. I openly stared at her, drinking in her smooth skin, silky hair that curled over her shoulders and those expressive eyes of hers. The light pink color in her cheeks told me she knew I was ogling her.

“I’d love to help out. I’ll have Marcus text you my number. Then you can let me know when you need me.”

She was going to spend time helping my mom. Damn I was so far gone at this point I’d do anything she asked of me.

“Marcus, honey?” My mother’s voice broke into my thoughts and I jerked my gaze off Willow and turned to focus on my mother.

“Yes?”

She chuckled and seemed very pleased. Tonight hadn’t been a bust after all. Willow had saved the day.

“Can you help me get the caramel cake and dessert plates please?”

Nodding I stood up and Amanda covered her laughter with a napkin. I had a feeling Mom had called my name more than once before I’d heard her. Both my mother and my sister were way too easily amused.

I followed my mother into the kitchen and the moment we were safely hidden from the dining room she spun around and hugged me tightly.

“Oh honey she’s perfect. I love her. She’s gorgeous and smart and you’re just so smitten with her. It does my heart so good to see you like this. And she’s local. I’d always worried you’d meet some girl off at college and move away from me. This is perfect. I can’t wait to introduce her to the ladies at the club when she comes to help me with the decorations for our booth at the festival.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at my mother’s enthusiasm. My father’s no show was completely forgotten.

“She’s special. I told you that.”

“Yes she’s definitely special. I adore her.”

“I adore her too, Mama.”





Willow had worked the past two nights and she’d spent all day yesterday at her sister’s keeping Larissa. I was having withdrawals. Tonight I needed her all to myself. We’d have a moonlight picnic on the beach. A little dancing under the stars, and then I was going to make love to her. It was time. I wanted to sleep in a bed with her at night, holding her all night. This couch stuff sucked. But before I dealt with all that I had to meet with my father. He’d called me twice and left messages which I’d deleted without listening to. This morning my mother had called me for him. She begged me to go see him. She hated having us at odds with each other which baffled me because he had shattered her world. The woman was just so damn forgiving.

I pulled into his dealership in Seabreeze. Dad was always at this one. He only visited his other dealerships. This was his home base and largest lot. Taking a deep breath I stepped out of the truck and headed for the front doors. The curly red hair that belonged to the secretary he supposedly had fired was the first thing I noticed. Scowling at her as I walked passed caused her smile to falter, and for the first time in my life I wanted to hurt a woman. I didn’t ask if he was in his office. Talking to the whore who had broken up my family wasn’t on my to do list today.

Dad glanced up as I stalked into his office.

“Marcus,” he looked surprised.

“Mom asked me to come. I’m here. You got ten minutes.”

Frowning he nodded and motioned for me to sit down. I considered refusing and standing up so I could glare down at him the entire time but decided it may be safer if I was seated. That way if I lunged for him he’d have time to duck. Clearing his throat my father loosened his tie and rested both elbows on the desk leaning forward.

“I know my not showing up for the family dinner upset you.”

I let out a hard laugh, “No dad, the fact that slut is still working for you when you told Mom you’d fired her is what has me furious at the moment.”