MasukMindy’s fingers tightened in Marcus’s hair as the kiss deepened, slow and hungry, like they were both afraid the moment might slip away if they didn’t hold on tight enough. His lips were warm, slightly rough from the stubble on his jaw, and the way he kissed her — like he was trying to memorize every second — sent a shiver down her spine. Marcus pulled her closer, one hand sliding to the small of her back, the other cupping the back of her neck. His touch was firm but gentle, like he was still scared of breaking her. Mindy could feel the tension in his shoulders, the way his breath hitched when her fingers trailed down his chest. He was holding back, she could tell–the same way he always did when he was afraid of letting her see too much.“Marcus,” she whispered against his lips, her voice breathy. “Don’t hold back. Not tonight please.”He pulled back just enough to look at her, his eyes dark with desire and something deeper, vulnerability. “I don’t want to rush you. After everything
Meanwhile, after Mindy dropped Andrea off at the penthouse with a quick, warm hug and a promise to text her later about the final wedding plans, she climbed back into her car and let out a long breath. The city lights blurred past her window as she drove, her mind already shifting from the cheerful chaos of the day to the quieter evening ahead. She and Marcus had planned a simple movie night at his place — their first real attempt at normalcy since the painful breakup and the explosive Thanksgiving drama with his family. Nervous butterflies fluttered in her stomach, but beneath them was a fragile thread of hope. They were trying. That had to count for something.When she finally knocked on his door, Marcus opened it almost immediately, and the sight that greeted her made her pause in the doorway, lips parting in quiet surprise.The living room had been completely transformed. Gone was the usual bachelor clutter of scattered gym clothes, half-finished protein shaker bottles, and random
The car ride back from the boutique was lighter than Andrea had expected. Eleanor sat in the front passenger seat while Mindy drove, the three of them surrounded by garment bags and notebooks filled with venue ideas, color swatches, and flower arrangements. The late afternoon sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the back seat where Andrea sat, one hand resting protectively on her growing bump.Mindy glanced in the rearview mirror with a grin. “So, Eleanor, you actually liked the lace one with the long train? I thought you’d go for something more traditional.”Eleanor gave a small, almost reluctant smile. “It was elegant. Classic. But the way it moved when Andrea walked… it suited her. She looked beautiful.”Andrea felt a quiet warmth spread through her chest. “Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”The conversation flowed more easily than it had in weeks. They talked about venue options — Mindy had already shortlisted three lakeside spots and a historic ba
A week had passed since the chaotic Thanksgiving, and Andrea was determined to move forward.She stood in the living room of the penthouse, flipping through a bridal magazine, her eyes lingering on a dress with delicate lace and a soft A-line silhouette. Mindy lounged on the couch nearby, laptop open, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she searched for venues. The morning sun streamed through the tall windows, casting warm gold across everything it touched.Andrea's small baby bump was getting more noticeable now. She wore a fitted cream sweater that showed it off, and she absentmindedly rubbed it as she turned another page of the magazine. The bump had become real to her in a way it wasn't before—a constant reminder that her life was changing in ways she was still processing."So, today's the day," Andrea said, smiling up at Mindy. "Dress shopping. I can't believe we're actually doing this."Mindy grinned, looking up from her screen. Her eyes were bright with excitement. "I've
The living room felt smaller after Christine stormed out. The fire in the fireplace crackled on, but the warmth did little to ease the heavy silence that had settled over the three of them.Garrett sank back onto the couch, his face pale, eyes distant. He rubbed his hands over his face, shoulders slumping as the weight of what he had just heard finally hit him fully.“I… I never believed you,” he whispered, voice breaking. “All those years even when you tried to tell me. You were just a boy. And I… I chose her over you. How long, son? How long did this go on?”Marcus stood a few feet away, arms crossed tightly over his chest like he was trying to hold himself together. His voice was quiet, almost detached, as if saying it out loud made it real again.“From when I was fifteen until I left at eighteen,” he said. “She started small. Touches when no one was looking. Then it got worse. She would come to my room at night, threatened me if I told anyone, she’d turn it on me, make sure you be
Marcus stormed into the living room, phone clutched tightly in his hand, heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest. The warm light from the lamps and the low hum of conversation between his father and Mindy felt jarring against the storm raging inside him. His skin was still prickling from the cool night air on the patio, but the heat of anger burned hotter, pushing him forward.Garrett looked up from the couch, his expression shifting from relaxed to confused in an instant. “Marcus? What’s going on, son? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”Marcus stopped in the middle of the room, breathing hard, chest rising and falling rapidly. “Dad… I have something very interesting I’d like you to listen to.”Garrett’s brow furrowed deeper, setting his coffee cup down on the side table. “What are you talking about? And why do you look like that?”Before Marcus could answer, the patio door burst open behind him. Christine rushed in, her face flushed, eyes wide with panic.
Henry and Andrea spent the next morning finalizing their plan over breakfast. They sat at the kitchen island, coffee steaming in their mugs, exchanging mischievous smiles like two kids plotting the ultimate prank.Andrea speared a piece of fruit from Henry’s plate with her fork, grinning. “Did you
Andrea glanced at the clock on Mindy’s wall and her eyes widened in disbelief.“Oh no… it’s already past eleven.”She sat up straighter on the couch, suddenly aware of how long she had been there. The emotional conversation with her best friend — the tears, the frustration, the raw honesty about Ma
“We should call Grandma Grace right now! She’s going to lose her mind when she hears about your engagement..”Andrea nodded. “Let’s do it.”Andrea grabbed her phone, put it on speaker, and dialed Grandma Grace’s number. It rang twice before the familiar warm voice answered.“Hello Andrea?”“Grandma
Henry sat across from Marcus in the dim, messy apartment, the silence stretching between them like a heavy blanket. He watched his best friend–the man who was usually so steady, so put-together look completely lost.“Marcus,” Henry said quietly but firmly, “you have to tell her.”Marcus looked up s







