Page 47 of Checkmate
Marcus shrugged and took a drink of his coffee. Sophie glanced around and frowned, noting the one cup. He hadn’t made her one?
Sure, when he was going through his weird week, he neglected her. But he hadn’t been taking care of himself either, so she didn’t think anything of it.
Why had he forgotten her?
“If Alex is so insecure he can’t handle his wife talking to another man, he should probably seek therapy.”
“You monopolised her attention,” Sophie said, repeating Alex’s words.
She had never seen him angrier than he had been after his speech, and she was the one who bore the brunt of his anger.
“Why the fuck did you bring him, Sophie? He’s making us both look like fools.”
She felt her cheeks flame as she remembered Alex pulling her to one side, his grip tight on her arm as he scolded her.
“That’s what he told you, huh?” Marcus laughed. “Got you well trained, hasn’t he?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Monopolised is a big word for you, Soph.”
Her jaw dropped as her cheeks flamed once more, this time out of sheer embarrassment.
“Marcus! How dare you speak like that to me! Since when were you so mean?”
Seriously.
Marcus had only ever spoken beautiful words to her.
“That’s not mean, Sophie. I can be mean if you want me to.” He folded his arms over his chest and met her gaze. “I know.”
Sophie forced herself not to panic, pressing her nails into the palms of her hands. There was no telling what he knew, and she wouldn’t drop either herself or Alex in any kind of trouble.
“What do you know?”
She congratulated herself on keeping her voice steady, ignoring the pounding of her heart.
“I know about your little crush on Alex. Erica told me all about it.”
Sophie exhaled a heavy breath, the relief of his words forcing a giggle from her lips. “You’re upset at me for having a crush? Jesus, Marcus, I didn’t realise you were so pat—”
“I’m not upset at you for having a crush. And if I were, I’d be a hypocrite as I have, over the years, found other women attractive.
“What upsets me is the fact you allow your crush to sway who you are as a person and change your relationship with me. Your husband.”
“Our relationship hasn’t changed,” she muttered, knowing full well that was a lie.
“Okay, Sophie.” He stared at her for a moment before running his hand over his jaw and chuckling. “Okay. I need to go. I’ll be late for Erica.”
“I still don’t understand why you’re meeting her.”
“Oh. We’re discussing her becoming my business partner. And before you ask, it’s nothing to do with you.”
“I think the fuck not,” Sophie said with a gasp. “That has everything to do with me and I forbid it.”
Marcus paused and turned back to face her. She was concerned for a moment that he might lose his temper. Instead, he laughed in her face. Which was worse somehow.
“Oh, Sophie, you’re good for a laugh. You can’t forbid me to do anything, but that was cute.”
