Page 21 of The One You Want

He shrugged. “I like my privacy. She respected that.”

“Or is it that you didn’t want to get caught by me or someone else?”

He pulled his hands free of his pockets, held them out to his sides, and let them drop. “No. That’s not it at all. I liked Maggie the second I met her. I just wanted a chance with her without our night together interfering in that.” He frowned at her, frustration in his eyes. “It’s not like you and me were ever a thing. And after what happened, I figured you thought I was a dick, so if I told Maggie I not only slept with her best friend but also cheated on my girlfriend at the same time, she’d call itall off. And even if I got her to understand the situation, you’d probably badmouth me to Maggie and warn her away from me anyway.”

Rose couldn’t deny she’d have cautioned Maggie about Marc’s past behavior. “So what are you saying?”

“I’m marrying Maggie. We’re making a life together. And I don’t want anything to screw that up. So please, don’t say anything,” he implored, very sincerely.

She wanted to believe it was genuine. “You’re asking me to keep a secret from my best friend. You know we tell each other everything.” Rose pressed her lips tight. “I told her about that night.”

“But she doesn’t know it was me.”

“If we tell her right now, together, she’ll understand.”

Marc raked his fingers through his hair. “No, she won’t. You don’t want to hurt her. I don’t want to hurt her. And though this happened before I met her, I think she will be hurt, or at least uncomfortable with the fact that you and I slept together. She says all the time how much she misses you and that you two don’t get to spend enough time together. Don’t let this come between you, too.” He made a really valid point.

“I need some time to think about it.”

He took her arm again and leaned in close. “It was one night. And while it was a damn good and memorable night”—his gaze swept down her body, making her feel very uncomfortable—“it’s not like we have feelings for each other. We both got what we wanted and—”

“Is everything all right here?” Gray asked, walking up to them in the hallway.

“Fine.” Marc released her and smiled over his shoulder at his cousin. “Rose was just making sure I intend to make her best friend happy.” He faced her again. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to marry Maggie and have the life I want.”

The reassurance didn’t satisfy her.

In fact, she wondered what he’d been about to say before Gray interrupted them. Because there’d been something in Marc’s eyes that said they got what they wanted that night they were together, but Marc wanted even more now.

But she had to have misread him.

And she’d much rather think about being in Gray’s strong arms. He was a guy who seemed direct and truthful about what he wanted and how he felt about her.

Marc held her gaze for one long moment, then stepped into the men’s room, leaving her alone in the hallway with Gray.

“What were you two really talking about?”

She cocked her head. “Why do you think we were talking about something else?”

“You answered my question with a question, which makes me think you’re avoiding answering me. And Marc tends to say things that seem real but can also mean something else entirely.”

That got her attention. “Are you saying he’s a liar?” She knew he was a cheat.

“Everyone lies.” True. “Marc says things that are true but also not.”

She met Gray’s direct gaze. “Should I be worried about my friend?”

“They’ve been dating for months. I’d think if Maggie thought something was off, or Marc wasn’t treating her well, she wouldn’t have agreed to marry him.”

She huffed out a frustrated breath. “That’s a very diplomatic answer.”

“It’s the only one I’ve got because they are getting married and I’m not about to make waves when they’ve had nothing but smooth sailing as far as I know.” Gray eyed the men’s room door.

“Tell me about the comment you made earlier about Marc’s dad still planning his life. What’s the subtext?”

Gray’s eyes lost all their warmth and his lips pressed into a tight line. “I knew you were smart, but your curiosity and intuition are going to get me in trouble.”

She loved the sincerity, but... “That is not an answer, but thank you for the compliment.” She really did appreciate it.