Page 75 of The Spare

His fingers drum on the arm of the seat and he clenches his jaw. "So, is she okay?"

I turn on my desk monitor "She's fine. Now get out."

Hendrix stands up, turning to the side and walking to the door without another word. He looks dejected, an expression I don't remember ever seeing before on his face.

I sigh, shaking my head. "The wedding's on Saturday," I call out, seeing him stop in his tracks before turning back hesitantly. His blue eyes meet mine, and I feel bad that I was so viscous with him just now.

I can see he cares; I'm just… hurt.

"Am I still your best man?" he asks in a quiet voice that stuns me.

My eyes freeze on the screen before slowly sliding up to meet his. The fucker knows how to get to me.

My heart strings pull, and I tighten my lips at the feeling. I only like it when Melody does that. "Yes, Henny. Now, please leave me alone so I can get some work done. The market opened five minutes ago."

Some of the dejectedness leaves his features, and his eyes warm up a little. He gives me a respectful nod and then pushes through my door. Leaving me in peace. Not for long though, because my thoughts immediately return to my fiancée.

I pull out my phone, seeing Melody's beautiful face on the screensaver. It's one I took two years ago on her eighteenth birthday. She's staring up at a flock of birds flying above us, and her eyes look like liquid pools of honey in the sunlight. I'd snuck her out of school that day in her second to last week of high school and took her on a picnic at the park. We talked and laughed all day at everything and everyone. People watching, getting ice cream. Talking about Mariah, Hendrix and Isobel's daughter.

That's the day she told me she didn't know if she wanted kids.

It's also the day she told me she got accepted into California State, and I'd looked at apartments to be close to her because I was going to follow her come hell or high water. It was the day her heart was broken when she was told no.

I think it's also the day the light started to leave her eyes.

Needing to hear from her, I swipe in my password and pull up our text thread.

How's your first class, love? -Mase

Five minutes later, I'm dumping some stock for a client when the text comes through.

Boring, would much rather be back in bed. -Mel

I bet you would. How many miles did you say you ran this morning? –Mase

She was up before me this morning. I rolled over promptly at five to see her side of the bed empty. A quick trip to my in-home gym room showed her on the treadmill, pounding away at the machine. I immediately got dressed and joined her, lifting weights while she got her cardio in.

I could only manage four today. Not my best. -Mel

I sink deeper in my seat, flicking my eyes to the monitors on the wall and making sure everything's good. I know exactly why she wasn't at her best, so I don't even play coy with her with my response. I'm blunt, letting her know what to expect tonight.

I wouldn't count on you being at your best tomorrow, either. -Mase

The bubbles appear and disappear for five solid minutes before disappearing completely. She doesn't respond. A wicked smile spreads across my face, because I want to dig under her skin and torture her like she did me last night.

I actually think you might need to put it out of your mind that you're going to be at your best for a while, sweetheart. I'm planning on breaking that beautiful cunt in sooner rather than later. -Mase

A knock sounds on my door before it opens, and my mother breezes through. I'm up fast, rounding my desk and holding my arms out to her.

"Madre," I greet, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"Mijo," she says, flitting her eyes down my body. "I had to come to make sure you were okay."

I place my arm around her shoulders and lead her to the sofa that has the best view of the city. "Do you want a drink, mamá?" I ask, walking over to the drinks cabinet and pulling down a glass without waiting for a reply, mixing her a soda with grenadine. "Have you seen Henny yet?"

"No, mijo, I came straight here," she says, accepting my drink. "I actually came here yesterday too, but your receptionist informed me that you didn't come in."

"No, I didn't. I stayed home with Melody yesterday."