Taking Over by S.J. Maylee Page B

to all of Marcus's
expectations. Telling Rob the truth had been the right thing to do, but the
only reason she'd done it was because she gave a shit about Rob. She knew full
well that would not be likely the next time Marcus asked her to do something.
    He
probably wouldn’t be pleased she snapped at Lydia on the way into work, but she
refused to feel bad about it, no matter how long Jake decided to yell at her.
She took a sip of coffee and glanced at the clock, wondering when Jake would
finish his lecture. There were plenty of other things worth her concern.
    It
wouldn't be long now before Marcus stopped coming around her place at night. It
wouldn't be long now before her mom died too. Even the hospice nurse said she
seemed weaker. Last night, she told Gina to prepare for the end. Her mom might
be living on borrowed time, but Gina wasn't ready to let her go. The silver lining
was when she did pass, she'd be rejoined with the love
of her life. Everyone had their special someone. It was the beautiful part of
life. Rob had Jane. Even Jake, who was still yelling at her, had Lydia.
    “What
the hell is wrong with you?” Jake took a step towards Gina.
    “Nothing. There is also
nothing wrong with Lydia.” She sipped her coffee. “She's quite capable of
talking for herself.”
    “She's
right.” Lydia tugged on his arm. “It's fine.”
    “I'm
tired of her stomping all over everyone when she wakes up on the wrong side of
the bed.”
    “You
don't know shit about me.” Gina cocked back her head. Not wanting any of them
to know she'd found her someone, but that he could never love her like Jake
clearly loved Lydia. “I woke up just fine this morning.”
    “That's
enough, Gina.” Marcus stepped around Jake. “Everyone back to work.” He stared
her down. “Except you.”
    Once
Lydia tugged Jake out of the room, everyone else followed.
    “Thanks
for getting the monkeys off my back, honey.” She put the spoon she used to stir
her coffee in the dishwasher.
    “Why
do you do that?”
    “I
didn't do anything. It's not my fault Lydia can't stand up for herself.” She
sipped her coffee.
    “She
shouldn't have to defend herself to you.”
    “No,
but she needs to think better of herself.” She placed her mug on the counter
and crossed her arms.
    “I
could say the same to you.”
    “I'm
not broken.” She charged towards him. “You don't need to fix me!” She shoved
him, then clutched his shirt in both hands. “Do you
hear me? I'm not broken.” She shoved against his chest again.
    “I'm
in your corner.” He wrapped her in his arms. “Don't push me away.”
    “Don't
you see?” She bit her lip. “You'll do it all on your own. It's okay. I'm used
to it.” She tore out of his grip. “I'm a hard girl to love.”
    “Tell
me about it.” He picked up her cup and set it out of her reach.
    “Don't
be cruel.”
    “You
can't shut me out. Remember what I said. I'm not going anywhere.” He lifted her
chin. “I was talking with Rob before I came in here.”
    Tears
filled her vision.
    “You
did well.”
    “Don't
tell me you're proud of me.”
    “I
wouldn't think of it.” He kissed her cheek. “Finish your work, we'll relax
tonight, and we'll head north first thing in the morning.”
    “Okay.”
She didn't have the strength to fight him. They may be a pipe dream, but
tomorrow would be a lot easier with him by her side. A lot of things would be
easier with him by her side. An empty ache rolled in her belly. Without her
permission, she'd begun to rely on him.

Chapter Nine
     
    Saturday morning came all too soon. He
left Gina still sleeping and hoped when she woke that she'd read at least one
of the notes he'd left her. Keller wanted to utilize Club Blind that night and
asked him to come make a couple of security changes before they headed to Lake
Geneva. The changes had been simple and even sparked a couple of creative
ideas. Marcus planned to talk to Rob about creating a simple app, making it
easier for the Masters to