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I look up, realizing I must be showing my anger on my face. "Yeah," I say, forcing a smile. "Just... Liam being Liam."
Marcus's expression darkens. "What did he say?"
I hesitate, not wanting to cause more drama between the brothers. But something in Marcus's eyes makes me want to be honest with him.
"Just some immature comments," I say, shrugging. "Implying that I'm enjoying being a 'damsel in distress' and... well,basically accusing us of using this situation as an excuse to hook up."
Marcus's jaw clenches, a low growl rumbling in his chest. The sound sends a shiver through me, and I'm not entirely sure it's from fear.
"I'll talk to him," Marcus says, his voice tight with barely controlled anger.
I shake my head quickly. "No, don't. It'll only make things worse. I can handle Liam."
Marcus looks like he wants to argue, but after a moment, he nods. "Alright. But if he keeps bothering you..."
"I'll let you know," I promise, touched by his protectiveness.
I've just ended things with Liam, and even though we were only dating for a few weeks—never even reaching the point of intimacy—I feel a twinge of guilt as I consider my growing attraction to Marcus. It feels wrong somehow, like I'm betraying an unspoken code.
But despite my efforts to push these thoughts aside, I can't help the way my heart quickens when Marcus is near. The pull I feel towards him is magnetic, undeniable. It's as if my body recognizes something in him that my mind is still trying to process.
As the morning rush dies down, I realize with a start that I've completely forgotten about lunch. My stomach growls audibly, and I grimace, annoyed at myself for not being more prepared.
"Everything okay?" Marcus asks, his brow furrowing in concern.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah, I just... forgot to pack a lunch. I'll probably just grab something quick from the deli down the street."
To my surprise, Marcus stands up, a small smile playing at his lips. "Actually," he says, "I might have a solution for that. Give me a few minutes?"
Before I can respond, he's striding out the door, leaving me blinking in confusion. I shake my head, turning back to tidying up my station. Whatever he's up to, I'm sure it won't take long.
A few minutes later, Marcus returns, carrying a large insulated bag. The scent wafting from it makes my mouth water instantly.
"What's all this?" I ask, unable to keep the surprise out of my voice.
Marcus sets the bag down on the break room table. "I, uh, made lunch," he says, rubbing the back of his neck. "For both of us. I figured you might not have time to prep anything, with everything going on."
I'm speechless for a moment, touched by his thoughtfulness. "You... made lunch? For us?"
He nods, starting to unpack the bag. "Nothing fancy, just some grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, and a quinoa salad. Oh, and I brought some fresh fruit for dessert."
"Marcus, this is... amazing," I breathe, taking in the spread. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble."
As he lays out the meal, I can't help but notice how good he looks. His flannel shirt has the sleeves rolled up, revealing his tanned, muscular forearms. They flex as he moves, and I find myself mesmerized by the play of muscles under his skin.It's unfair how attractive he is, especially in this soft, domestic moment.
He shrugs, but I can see a pleased smile tugging at his lips. "It's no trouble. I enjoy cooking, and... well, you deserve a good meal."
As we dig into the food, I can't help but moan in appreciation. "This is delicious," I say between bites. "Where did you learn to cook like this?"
Marcus's expression softens, a hint of sadness creeping into his eyes. "After our parents died, I had to take care of Liam. Learned pretty quick that we couldn't live on takeout and frozen dinners. So, I taught myself."
I reach out, placing my hand on his arm without thinking. "I'm sorry about your parents," I say softly. "That must have been really hard."
He nods, his hand briefly covering mine. The touch sends a jolt of electricity through me. "It was. But we got through it. And hey, at least I picked up some useful skills along the way."
I bite my lip, hesitating for a moment before speaking. "I... I know what it's like to lose your parents," I admit quietly. "That's how I ended up in foster care."
Marcus's eyes widen slightly, and I see a flash of understanding in them. "I didn't know that," he says softly. "I'm sorry, Zoe. That must have been tough."
