“Ahh see there’s the pity party!” Her back went up at his condescending tone. He was always doing that. He was worse than Mark. Always on her. Never letting her slip back.
She knew what he was doing.
And she loved them all the more for it.
But it was freaking annoying sometimes.
“That wasn’t what I meant.” She scowled at him and he chuckled.
“Ah good it’s gone.” He chuckled again, and she resisted the urge to smack him.
“Ugh,” she said rolling her eyes and looking back out to the window, but Mark wasn’t there for her to stare at.
She looked out over the yard, and saw him over by their little cabin stacking wood on the porch.
Was Branson right? Had Mark just been searching for something? Or had he already found it?
“Anyways girl, just thought I would stop by for a minute.” His tone was cheerful,too cheerful, and his gaze was searching the counters as he talked.
She chuckled.
“Here,” she said reaching into a jar she had put back behind the toaster, and pulled out three cookies.
His eyes lit up as he snatched them and started for the door, just as Mark came in.
“Branson.” Mark eyed him, a half glare on his face.
“Mark.”
“You stealing my cookies again?” Mark muttered, standing by the door, scowling, as if he wasn’t sure if to let him pass or pound on him.
“Naw man, just testin’ them is all,” he said as he slid by Mark, completely ignoring the scowl, but the way he slid by made her chuckle.
As if he was afraid that Mark would reach out and snatch his precious cookies back.
“What’s he doing here?” Mark muttered after Branson was gone.
“Just chatting like always.” She walked up to him and slid her arms around him, his hands on her shoulders stopping her from pressing her body against him completely.
“Wait, little bird, I’m all sweaty and shit, let me go take a quick shower.”
She wiggled her shoulders some, till his hands had no choice but to let her go, and pressed into his body anyways. Not heeding his words.
“I don’t care. You’re my Mark, I like you any way I can get you.” He hesitated, but she just held on, knowing that he needed a second and he would catch up.
Sure enough, after a few seconds, his arms came around her and he pulled her into him.
His lips at her hair, he held her tightly.
“I love you, little bird.”
She tilted her head back to look up at him. His beautiful blue eyes staring back at her. “I love you too.”
His eyes were different.
She couldn’t put her finger on what exactly it was, but something was different about him. His arms were still wrapped around her, holding her tightly to him, just like always.
As if they fit together like two pieces of a puzzle.
