Engaged at the Chatsfield by Melanie Milburne Page B

had this same conversation with himself at Christmas. He’d known it would get messy. Relationships always did, which was why he avoided them. Juliet had always been a part of his life. He didn’t want that to change. He couldn’t bear for it to change. But he wasn’t the answer to her problem.
    He wasn’t anyone’s answer.
    A tall, imposing figure came towards him down the corridor. Christos Giantrakos was dressed suavely in a suit and crisp shirt and neatly knotted tie, making Marcus feel at a distinct disadvantage dressed in sweaty gym gear. But maybe that was the point.
    Christos offered his hand. ‘Marcus Bainbridge, isn’t it?’
    ‘Yes. How do you do?’
    ‘I noticed your name on the bookings. Welcome to the Chatsfield.’
    There would be little that escaped the sharp-eyed Greek’s notice, Marcus thought. ‘Thank you.’
    Christos glanced at his phone to access his calendar. ‘Your appointment with us was scheduled for Monday.’
    ‘That’s correct.’
    Christos slipped his phone into his pocket and met his gaze directly. Challengingly. ‘How do you feel about bringing it forward?’
    * * *
    Juliet was in the suite when Marcus came out of the bathroom after his shower. She was standing across from the bed where he had laid out his suit, shirt and tie in readiness for the pitch meeting. Her cheeks were pink and her teeth were starkly white against her lower lip as she chewed at it. ‘Are you going out?’
    ‘I was right about Giantrakos.’ He reached for his shirt. ‘He brought the meeting forward to tonight. A private dinner in the boardroom with him and Gene Chatsfield.’
    ‘Oh...just as well you’re so well prepared.’
    Marcus studied her while he buttoned his shirt. Her eyes were averted but whether that was because he was half naked or because she was still upset with him was hard to gather. Her forehead was creased as if she was fretting about something. Was she regretting making love with him? Had he ruined everything between them? Something moved in his chest, like a gear shifting but only halfway. The blocked feeling stole his breath. He needed to talk to her but not like this. Not while his mind was on the meeting.
    ‘What are your plans for this evening?’ he asked.
    Her eyes kept skittering away from his. ‘Just dinner with the girls.’
    ‘Want to meet up afterwards?’
    She stretched her mouth into a tight smile. ‘It’s okay, Marcus. You don’t have to babysit me.’
    ‘Can we talk when I get back from the meeting?’
    She looked away again. ‘I think we’ve said all that needs to be said.’
    Marcus wasn’t so sure he had said all he needed to say. The words he wanted to say were still jumbled inside his head. They were all out of order like a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. That ache in his chest wouldn’t go away. It was cramped. Tight. Stuck. But then, hadn’t it been that way since Christmas? He thought he’d had his life all planned. He didn’t have room for feelings that were complicated and confusing. He needed time to process it all. ‘This isn’t going to ruin our friendship, is it?’
    She smiled again but it was brittle around the edges. ‘Of course not.’
    He came over to her and held her by the shoulders. ‘You’re a beautiful person, Juliet. You deserve to have it all. Don’t let anyone tell you different.’
    She slipped from out of his hold. ‘I have to get ready for dinner. I’ll see you later.’
    * * *
    Marcus was on his way to the boardroom when he ran into Harriet Penhallon. She glanced at his laptop. ‘Aren’t you joining us for dinner?’ she asked.
    Something about the way she was eyeing him made him feel uncomfortable. Uneasy. Suspicion began to march with ice-cold feet over his scalp. ‘Dinner?’
    ‘Didn’t Juliet tell you? We’re having a couples’ dinner in the restaurant downstairs.’ She gave him a glinting smile. ‘Only affianced couples are invited.’
    A flood of feeling spread through his chest, unblocking the