A Beautiful Instrument

24: What We Came Here to Do

When I get home, I shower to rinse the day from me. I check on Alexis and she seems to be better. Manny texted her asking to meet her tonight after the performance. I fill her in on some of the particulars of my day.

"Sucks that we're headed into the belly of the beast again tonight, but at least you'll have me and Marcus with you." Alexis comforts me.

"Yeah, I need to reconcile things with Jeremy, though. I could tell he wanted so badly to comfort me this afternoon and I left him hanging." I admit, the guilt lingering with me.

"You'll see him tonight and everything will be fine. Just like with me and Manny. Now, let's get dressed." Alexis says optimistically. My, how the tables have turned.

Alexis is dressing to make sure Manny is all about her, in case there were any doubts. And she drags me along, playing on my guilt over Jeremy. She chooses a black, backless number for herself and a barely-cover-my-ass lace sheath dress for me.

The doorbell rings promptly at 6PM. Marcus has arrived. I am fighting with the backing of an earring that won't go on. When I finally open the door and find him sitting against the porch rail, I'm taken with how smartly he's dressed. Well-fitting slacks, sweater vest over a pressed button-down with a tie.

He slowly turns his head, taking me in from head to toe over the top of his aviator sunglasses. "Damn girl."

He stands and pulls me into a warm hug. I step back and he twirls me around, getting the whole 360 view. "I mean, I know I told you to look good for me, but I'm not sure my character would let you go out in this."

I laugh and invite him into the apartment. Alexis walks out, looking stunning. Marcus barely looks at her, his eyes still scanning over me.

"Keeping it fresh, Marcus. I like." Alexis comments.

"You too, Lexi girl." Marcus mutters.

"Like you even peeled your eyes away long enough to know." Alexis teases.

I catch Marcus's warm brown eyes and he rolls them at Alexis's passive aggressive comment. I laugh. 'Where are we headed for dinner?"

Marcus grins. "I made reservations at Table 45."

Alexis squeals. "Yum, let's go!"

We exit the apartment. Marcus opens the passenger side car doors for me and Alexis. I take shot-gun. We ride over to the restaurant, Alexis talking almost non-stop about a new production at work.

Marcus keeps glancing over at me. I finally ask. "What?"

"I want to try something, but I don't want you to get weird about it." He says cautiously.

"Okay...what do you want to try?" I ask.

Marcus slides his hand down my arm. I remain absolutely still as my skin reacts to his touch. He weaves his fingers with mine. He remarks. "Okay good."

"Okay, good what?"

"You didn't flinch." He smirks.

"No. Of course not." I retort.

Marcus rolls his head to me. "But you also didn't breathe. You aren't an actress, Leigh. Remember this has to look natural and comfortable. Imagine how it feels when Jeremy touches you."

All of a sudden I notice the warmth of his hand and I pull away, rubbing goosebumps from my arms. "I know. I'll do my best."

At the restaurant, we pull up to the valet. Marcus lets Alexis walk ahead of us. He places his hand on the small of my back and again, I feel the heat of his touch. Thankfully, dinner conversation feels a little more relaxed. Marcus talks about his work as a sportswriter and new skits they are working on at the comedy club.