Page 80 of Ruff Around the Edges in Seagull Bay

Marcus glanced at Rowan, and caught him already staring his way. His breath caught in his throat. Rowan seemed to radiate a quiet contentment that Marcus felt in his very core. Marcus couldn’t pull his eyes away from Rowan’s, as a connection unknown to the people surrounding them, passed between them.

Consciously, Marcus reached for Rowan’s hand, their fingers touching briefly, sending electricity passing between them at the light touch, before he slid his fingers through Rowan’s. Rowan audibly gasped, his eyes sending a silent message, asking if Marcus was sure.

Marcus nodded, unable to contain the happy manic smile that overtook his mouth.

‘Good afternoon, gentlemen.’ Mrs Calloway’s voice stopped Marcus in his tracks. He turned his head forward to see Mrs Calloway’s eagle eyes locked on their entwined fingers.

Her eyes dropped from their hands to Atlas and Beau, who were sniffing each other, quietly sharing a moment.

‘Er, good afternoon, Mrs Calloway. Lovely day isn’t it? The forecast said rain, but there’s not a cloud in the sky.’

Mrs Calloway looked back up, her kind eyes going from Marcus to Rowan. She placed a hand on top of theirs.

‘It is, Marcus, my dear. And there’ll be no storms ahead... I can guarantee that.’

Marcus’s chest swelled with affection for Mrs Calloway, and her silent promise.

‘You-you have a lovely day, Mrs Calloway.’

‘You too, Marcus. You deserve it!’

Rowan looked at Marcus and raised his eyebrows, as they both watched Mrs Calloway walk away.

Marcus sighed contentedly and brazenly kissed Rowan on the lips, not caring who saw them.

For once, Marcus was not standing on the edge of someone else’s happy ending. He was opening the door to his own.