I see that now. Last night at the jewelry store, I thought he was being a close-minded asshole. Instead, he was guarding his heart. I wasn’t. When Kate proved how much I didn’t learn about women from Taylor, I felt blindsided.
It shouldn’t have taken a second heartbreak to comprehend what seems so obvious now. Women really don’t want the people in their life to know they’re with two men. They don’t want the judgment. But my parents have always said I’m an optimist, sometimes to my detriment.
I sigh.
“At least we know where we stand.” Marcus’s quip drips acid. “Fucking great time to realize I’m in love.”
Now I feel even worse. “Blame me. I planted the idea in your head.”
He shakes his head. “I was already thinking it.”
“But I pushed.”
Marcus grits his teeth. “The way we both wanted her, it was going to happen anyway. Just a matter of time.”
Probably. I sigh. “What do we do?”
“If Kate decides to follow her dream and run her father’s company, there’s nothing we can do. That would be the easiest. Clean break. We’d never have to see her again.”
He’s right, but… “I hate that idea.”
“We don’t get to pick, buddy. She chose last night. We’re the dirty little secret again.” Suddenly, he stands and grabs the back of his chair, hurling it across the room. “Fuck!”
It clatters across the hard floor, loud and screeching and destructive. The silence that follows is deafening and horrible.
He’s lashing out with the same anger that’s eating me up inside. “What do we do if she stays at Force Financial?”
Marcus scrubs a hand down his face. “And we have to see her all the goddamn time? It will hurt like hell.”
I close my eyes and push away from my desk. “You tried to tell me that permanent threesomes don’t work.”
At least not with the sort of woman we’re attracted to. In theory, some are willing to be unapologetic about who they love, but ones like Kate—with polish and ambition and a close-knit network of family and friends—don’t want to fly their freak flag for everyone. And, as Marcus pointed out a few short weeks ago, what happens if the woman between us gets pregnant? If she had any reservations before, a positive test would likely send her running. I can’t even picture Kate trying to tell her protective father that one of us—she’s not sure which—knocked her up. Since Marcus and I both want children soon, that’s a fucking problem.
“They don’t,” he pants, pacing the room. “I kept hoping… But Kate just fucking proved me right.”
“I think…when we return to Boston, we go back to your plan, and we don’t deviate anymore. Separate women. Separate sex lives.” I swallow, hating it even as I tell myself it’s the only choice that makes sense.
“Yeah.” He retrieves his office chair and lifts it with one big hand, carting it across the room and shoving it in front of his desk again. “I need to get out of here. I’ll be back.”
Knowing Marcus, he’s going to avail himself of the hotel’s gym and put himself through a punishing run. I did that at two thirty this morning. Not that it helped me sleep…
With a sigh, I wilt back into my office chair. I have no idea how much time has passed before the whoosh and the scrape of the ill-hanging door has my head popping up. Kate walks in wearing a navy blouse that hugs her curves, a matching floral pencil skirt, beige heels, and a guarded expression.
She stops short when she catches sight of me. “Good morning. I wanted to tell you I’ve finished my part of the project for Savannah and Mr. Force. Would you like me to email it to you so you can send it along with the financial recommendations, or should I send it to them separately?”
Right now, I don’t give a shit. “That’s all you have to say?”
“What do you expect me to say? I had no idea my family would show up. I’m sorry if it’s an imposition, but I made sure my part of this deliverable is complete and on time.”
“Their unexpected visit has no impact on the project.”
“I’m glad we’re agreed. After I ate and talked with them, I got back to work so no deadlines were jeopardized.”
Does she really think Marcus and I are upset about that? “Chad and Savannah will appreciate your dedication.”
“But you’re still angry? Listen, I had no idea my dad was going to offer me his company. I know you overheard that, and I’m sure it looks suspicious or underhanded or—”
“No. I could tell you were shocked by his offer. I hardly expect you to give him an answer without giving his proposal serious consideration. It’s your family’s business, after all.”