Page 131 of So I'll Know
I flush at his words and focus on Norah, who gives me a knowing smile.
“You must be Jeremy.”
Marcus pulls me close and kisses the side of my head. “Yes, this is Jeremy. My boyfriend.”
I look up at him in shock. He didn’t even hesitate. Warmth floods my chest.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Jeremy. Marcus has been talking about you for years.” She reaches behind her. “This is my partner, James,” she says, taking his hand.
James smiles, which only makes him more beautiful, and I stare up at him, unable to form words.
Marcus leans forward and shakes his hand like a normal person, but the arm around my back tightens. “I’m starving,” Marcus remarks, and everyone nods.
We walk into the sandwich shop, and the warm air chases the outside chill away. My senses are immediately bombarded with the cozy scent of toasted bread. We order from the counter, take a number, and then find a relatively private table in the back corner.
At first, Norah and Marcus dominate the conversation as they catch up. Even though I know that they text often, meeting up with Norah is a rarity, so I give Marcus that time with his friend, and also revel in the way his hand rests on my thigh where everyone can see it. It feels like that day in Cannon Beach when we could just be a couple and didn’t have to worry about prying eyes.
Marcus’s demeanor with Norah is so different. Open. I can tell he trusts her, and the way his smile crinkles his eyes and the way his laugh is so rich and genuine tugs at my chest.
That’smysmile andmylaugh.
Her hand slides across the table and pushes his forearmwarmly. It’s a companionable gesture, but I feel myself frowning. I glance at James, who seems completely unfazed.
You’re being ridiculous, Jeremy.
Norah seems to sense the shift in my mood, and she gives me an impish grin. “Jeremy, tell me about yourself.”
“Oh, uh . . .” I clear my throat. “I’m an interior designer. I have a cat.”
She squints at me like she’s trying to figure something out, and I squirm under her scrutiny. A smile tugs at her lips, and she glances at Marcus as if asking him permission, which just freaks me out even more because they have that weird silent-communication thing going on.
“You don’t like me, do you?”
“It’s not that—” I start.
“He’s jealous, and he doesn’t like it,” Marcus says with a smirk, and I elbow him in the side, blushing furiously.
“Jealous of me?” She looks at James and back at me, and her eyebrows lower in confusion.
“Both of you,” I say honestly, tapping my purple nails on the table. “But can you blame me? You’re both insanely hot and older and more experienced. And you?” I point at James, who raises his eyebrows in question. “You’re like a rugged Adonis.”
“Is that right?” James drawls while Norah gives him a mischievous grin. “If you’re talking about the Greek statue I think you are, I have objections concerning the size comparison.”
I stare at him before a giggle slips free. “I just meant you’re very—” I glance at Marcus, who’s giving me a dark look. “Easy on the eyes.” Marcus growls low in his throat, and I shoot him a bratty smirk. “Plus, being part of a throuple seems to run in Marcus’s family.” I give Marcus a nudge with my shoulder as I say it, grinning when Norah throws back her head and laughs loudly.
James’s eyes widen. “Really?” he asks, looking at Marcus for confirmation.
He rolls his eyes. I nod, giving James a small smile. “Oh yeah, his stepsister and his brother are in poly relationships—with other people,” I clarify. “Not each other. I fully expect them to have their own reality special on Netflix any day now.”
Norah gives Marcus a sultry wink. “What do you say, muscles? Want to join us?”
James scoffs. “He’s too short for you.”
“Hey!” Marcus protests. “I’m six-foot-three.”
Norah pulls a hand through her long hair with a teasing smile. “No, he’s right. I don’t normally date under six-four.”
“You didn’t seem to mind when we met,” he sulks.
