Page 87 of Checkmate
It was a part of him he tried to keep buried lest he become crippled with rage and hurt. For a while, even with all the imbalance in their relationship, he was sure they would grow old together.
He might have given in to that side of him. It would have been easy to do. So familiar. He wasn’t sure he’d ever fully trust her again, but he’d have forgiven her.
And then he met Erica.
She was what pushed him forward when he wanted to wallow.
From that very first phone call, he had wanted her energy next to him, guiding him and keeping him grounded. Even if Sophie had fought for him, he couldn’t imagine going back to her when Erica was a constant reminder of what was out there for him if he only had the balls to grasp it.
“I’m sure,” he said, smiling down at her. “Part of me is heartbroken that it’s all over.”
“And the other part?”
“Excited for the future and how that might look,” he replied. “I’m ready to see life beyond Sophie. I don’t want to jump into anything with … anyone. That would be unhealthy.”
“I agree,” she said with a nod. “I think time to grieve is important. Even if it already feels like we’ve done a lot of the grieving. Breakups suck, even when they’re our choice.”
They moved further up the queue, close enough now to hear the mechanics groan as the ride circled through another cycle.
Marcus couldn’t wait to get up there and see the view of the city he loved so much. He’d lived here all his life, explored every day of his youth, and he knew that he had barely scratched the surface.
In a city this old, the cobblestone streets remembered secrets first whispered centuries ago, waiting to be uncovered. Tales of forlorn lovers, vengeful souls and forgotten lives.
It was everything Marcus loved and exactly what had inspired him to create Phantom Footsteps.
He couldn’t remember when he’d last stopped to admire the beauty right on his doorstep. Sure, he’d held tours, but he’d lost his zest for the rich history his city had to offer.
“Two please,” he asked as they reached the vendor. Paying for the tickets, he helped Erica into the pod and sat opposite her as the doors closed, enclosing them in solitude.
“You look excited,” she said, grinning at him. Shifting slightly, she settled with her legs between his, their knees touching.
“I am excited,” he agreed. “It’s been ages since I’ve done something like this, and the city is so beautiful. It’s criminal, actually.”
“I haven’t been on a big wheel since my first date with Alex,” she confessed. “I’m nervous, actually.”
She reached for his hand, and he chuckled as he swapped seats, moving his arm around her shoulder. “I got you.”
Leaning into him, she rested her head on his shoulder, looking out over the view as they moved higher up the wheel.
“It’s already so beautiful,” she murmured. “We should have another go when it darkens, and see the city all lit up.”
“Whatever you want,” he promised, relishing the idea that they’d have the evening together too. “I, um. I have something for you.”
She pulled back slightly to look up at him, smirking a touch. “I have something for you too,” she confessed.
Sitting up, but staying close by, she pulled a small parcel from her pocket, wrapped in festive paper. “It’s nothing crazy, but I wanted to get you something.”
“Thank you, Erica,” he said, taking the box. “I didn’t have time to wrap yours. It only arrived this morning and—”
“Don’t worry about it,” she chuckled, holding her hand out. “Gimme.”
Suddenly nervous, he grabbed the gift from his inner pocket and handed it over. What if she didn’t like it? What if she thought it was too cheesy? God, he should have stuck with jewellery or something.
“Oh, Marcus,” she breathed. “This is so pretty.”
Pulling the vial from the box, she held it up, the light above them casting a glow on the sunflower held within the glass.
“My way of giving you back some of the sunshine you brought into my life,” she read off the attached label. “This is so beautiful, Marcus. Thank you so much.”
