Page 39 of Revealing Mark

“I don’t know anymore.” Letting out a heavy breath, I tried to clear my muddled thoughts. “Besides, it doesn’t really matter anyway.”

“What happened?”

“Well, he pretty much told me he isn’t interested in beingwith anyone. He doesn’t want the responsibility of another’s happiness.”

I heard my sister sigh. “The guys with the baggage are always the irresistible ones.”

It was something to think about.

A few days later, I was seated on my sofa while trying to decide between two photos from my most recent job, but they were both so good it was difficult to choose the best. My phone rang and I answered it without checking the caller ID.

“Tracy,” my brother’s voice jolted me out of my task.

“Hi,” I greeted nervously. Then I remembered he had gone away with Sarah. “Bored of your vacation already?”

“No. I need you to do me a favor.” He sounded uncharacteristically anxious.

“Sure,” I replied, finding myself standing up.

“I need you to go and check on Mark.”

Mark was the most capable person I knew. He was the last person who needed checking on.

“Mark?” I questioned, sure I had misheard him.

“Yes. He isn’t answering my calls.”

“I’m sure there is some beautiful girl who has him distracted.” The words left a bitter taste in my mouth and a burn of jealously inside me.

“No, he wouldn’t ignore my calls. It’s been two days.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to put myself back in Mark’s space even if it was a favor for my brother.

“Tracy, please.” It was the tone of his voice that touched something in me, and I felt my resistance crumble.

I sighed. “Fine.” I gave in reluctantly. If I refused, my brother may suspect something was up and that wasn’t a door I wanted open.

“I’ll send you his address,” he added.

“Okay.” I wasn’t going to reveal I already knew it. It was best for my brother to be oblivious.

It was only when I was on my way that I wondered why Matt hadn’t called Sophie. Why did it have to be me?

If Mark was refusing to take calls, I wasn’t even sure if he would let me in his apartment. I just hoped his doorman remembered me, otherwise this would be a wasted trip.

When I got to Mark’s apartment building, I felt nervous as I made my way inside. The same doorman from before greeted me.

“Hi,” I greeted back, trying to find a way for him to let me inside Mark’s apartment.

“How can I help you?”

“I need to pick some stuff up,” I said lightly, hoping he wouldn’t call Mark to confirm.

He seemed to consider my request for a few moments before he nodded. “Sure.”

I felt nervous the whole way to the door. The doorman opened the door for me and I thanked him before closing it quietly behind me.

The apartment was dark, the curtains were closed. I switched on a light. Mark was seated on the sofa as he nursed a drink.