Chapter 230: You Are Sweet

Chapter 230: You Are Sweet
Chapter 230: You Are Sweet 

Marshall 

Riccardo had been in an usually good mood lately and it didn't take a genius to figure out why. Angelia was opening up to us slowly but surely and while I was controlled to let his emotions get the better of him, I wasn't. Every time I thought about her, I felt this warm and nervous energy I couldn't shake. It wasn't like me to be unsure about anything but she had a way of grounding me and throwing me off balance at the same time.

“She kissed and hugged him.” Riccardo had told me and Kingston the day after he saw her.

The way he said it, you would think she had proposed but I got it. Every little step she took towards us was monumental and the thought of her trusting us enough to let us in even a little was enough to make me feel like I could fly. A few days later, I decided it was time to make my move. Nothing too intense, she wasn't ready for a grinned gesture but something small, something meaningful. I sent her a text in the late afternoon.

‘Hey, Angelia. Are you free tonight? I have get a surprise for you.’ her reply came a few minutes later.

‘What kind of surprise?’

‘The good kind, promise. Let me pick you up at eight.’

She didn't respond right away and I could practically see her debating whether to say yes. Finally, the message came through.

‘Okay, eighth it is.’


I was at the door right on time, holding a small bouquet of daisies. Not too flashy but cheerful and sweet like her. When she opened the door, her eyes went wide at the sight of the flowers.

“For you.” I said, handing them to her.

“Daisies?” She asked, her lips twitching into a smile.

“They reminded me of you.” I said simply, her cheeks flushed as she accepted them.

“Thank you, Marshall. They are beautiful.”

I took her to a quiet rooftop bar I knew she would love, it wasn't anything like the flash nightclubs I usually frequented. This was cozy with soft lighting and potted plants scattered around and a killer view of the city skyline.

“This is amazing.” She said as we stepped onto the rooftop.

“I thought you might like it.”  I said, guiding her to a table near the edge. 

We ordered drinks, her usual scotch on the rocks for her and a whiskey sour for me and settled into easy conversation.

“How has work been?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Busy,” she admitted.

“But that is good, it keeps me grounded.”

“You seem like the kind of person who likes to stay busy.” I said with a smile. She laughed softly, shaking her head.

“It is more about necessity than choice, if I didn't keep busy, I would probably overthink everything and drive myself crazy.” She muttered.

“I get that,” I said, swirling the ice in my glass.

“But don't forget to take time for yourself too, you deserve it.” She gave me a small smile, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass.

“You are sweet, Marshall.” She mumbled.

“I try,” I said, flashing her a playful wink.

As the night went on, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. I love seeing her relaxed, the tension in her shoulder easing as she laughed at one of my jokes. At one point, I leaned forward, resting my chin on hand as I watched her talk. She noticed and paused, her brow furrowing.

“What?” She asked, her tone both curious and shy.

“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head.

“I just like listening to you.” Her cheeks turned pink and she looked away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“You are impossible.” She muttered, though I could see the smile tugging at her lips.

On the way back to her apartment, we walked in comfortable silence, the cool night air wrapping around us.

“Thank you for tonight,” she said as we reached her door.

“It was…perfect.” she added.

“Anything for you, Angelia.” I said softly. She hesitated, her eyes meeting mine.

“You make it hard to keep my guard up, you know that?” 

“That is the goal.” I teased, though my voice was quieter than usual.

Before I could overthink it, I stepped closer brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her breath hitched and for a moment, I thought she might pull away but she didn't. Instead, she learned it, resting her forehead against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close, my chin resting on the top of her head.

“You are safe with me.” I murmured. 

“I know,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.


The following evening, I found myself pacing the length of Riccardo's living room, my thoughts bouncing around like an overactive pinball machine. Kingston was sitting in his usual spot on the couch, nursing his glass of whiskey with the kind of calm that only he could muster while Riccardo leaned against the kitchen counter, watching me with thinly veiled amusement.

“You are going to wear a hole in his expensive flooring.” Riccardo said, smirking as he took a sip of his coffee.

“I am thinking.” I shot back, pointing a finger at him.

“And unlike you two stoics, I need to move when I think.”

“Maybe, think about sitting down.” Kingston muttered, his deep voice laced with mild irritation. I ignored him, running a hand through my hair.

“We have been inching forward with Angelia, yes? Small steps, building trust but I think it is time for something more.” Riccardo raised an eyebrow, setting his cup down.

“More, like what?” 

“A night,” I stopped mid-pace to face them.

“The four of us, something casual but special. Not just dinner, not just talking, something that makes her feel like she is truly a part of this, of us.”

Kingston’s gaze narrowed slightly but he didn't immediately shoot me down, that was a good sign.