Marcus

The living room feels too small as I pace back and forth, my agitation uncontainable. Adam, sitting on the couch, watches me with concern etched across his face.

"Marcus, calm down," Adam suggests, his voice steady and measured.

I shoot him an angry glare, my frustration boiling over. "Calm down? I can't calm down, Adam. Did you hear what Mallory just told me?"

I came to visit Adam and Mallory, hoping for a few days of relaxation and good times. Instead, Mallory dropped a bombshell on me, revealing the alleged manipulations and deceit orchestrated by Daniel. According to her, he's a narcissist, playing games with Melanie's heart. It's hard to believe, but Mallory is convinced that Daniel never loved her sister—that he just wants to keep her around, like a pawn in some twisted game.

Mallory is in their bedroom now, on the phone with Melanie, inviting her to spend the weekend. If Melanie agrees, I've already decided—I'll coax my sister into joining us. The air needs to be cleared, truths need to surface.

I can't shake the disbelief that Melanie saw me out with my sister and automatically assumed I was cheating on her. Sure, we don't look alike at all. My sister has pale skin and blonde hair, while I boast tan skin and light brown locks. The only similarity is our shared green eyes, but apparently, that wasn't enough for Melanie. Maybe if she'd seen me with one of my other two sisters—who bear a closer resemblance—things wouldn't have spiraled into this mess.

The bedroom door swings open, and I halt in my tracks, turning to Mallory with a hopeful look. "What happened?" I inquire urgently, eager for an update.

She steps out, her expression a mix of concern and resolution. "She agreed to come."

A surge of happiness courses through me, and I can't help but exclaim, "Really? That's great!"

Mallory's next words, however, dampen my enthusiasm. "But she's bringing Daniel with her."

Fuck. That's not what I had hoped for. My excitement deflates, replaced by a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Damn it," I mutter under my breath.

"It doesn't matter," I assert, rallying my thoughts. "What matters is that she sees my sister, realizes that she made a mistake."

Mallory agrees with a determined nod. Adam chimes in, offering his support. "We'll make it work, Marcus."

"Yeah," I say, forcing a smile. "It'll be okay."

Deep down, I had hoped Melanie would come alone, that we could sort things out without the presence of the man who's been playing puppet master. But circumstances aren't always in our favor, and I need to adapt to the hand I've been dealt. Melanie's happiness is at stake, and I'll do whatever it takes to help her see the truth.

I reassure myself, "It's going to work out just fine, even with Daniel here."

Mallory's hand settles on my shoulder, a comforting weight that grounds me in the moment. "Exactly," she says, her voice resolute. Her certainty is like a balm to my unsettled nerves. I need this to work out, for Melanie's sake.

"It's going to work out, Marcus. I really believe that," Mallory assures me, her eyes reflecting a genuine sense of hope.

Her conviction helps ease the knot in my stomach. "Thanks, Mallory. I appreciate it," I admit, the weight on my shoulders lightening just a bit.

Mallory moves closer, her sincerity evident. "I've got your back, Marcus. Not just because I like you, but because I want to see Melanie happy. And Daniel? He's bad news for her."

I nod in gratitude, appreciating Mallory's support. "I'll do anything in my power to make her happy," I promise.

Mallory squeezes my shoulder before making her way to the couch, where Adam is waiting. His arm wraps around her, pulling her close. I find an armchair and sit down, facing the two of them. Mallory leans into Adam, her expression one of contentment.

"I still can't believe you never told Melanie about your sisters," Mallory remarks, narrowing her eyes at me.

Adam chuckles, adding his two cents. "You should've mentioned them, Marcus."

I roll my eyes at their playful banter. "Well, duh," I say mockingly, leaning back and running my hands through my face. "You think I don't know that?."

Leaning forward, I admit, "There wasn't much talking involved."

Mallory giggles, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Melanie told me as much."

My face flushes, realizing that Melanie probably shared the details of all the dirty stuff I did to her. I hadn't anticipated that aspect of the conversation making its way to Mallory. I run a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the embarrassment.

"Well, that's great," I mutter, my cheeks still tinged with red. "Just what I needed, her telling you all that."

Mallory grins mischievously, and Adam joins in the laughter.

Adam smirks at my discomfort, his eyes filled with amusement. "Well, Marcus, you should've expected Melanie to share all the juicy details with Mallory."

I shake my head, a mixture of embarrassment and frustration bubbling within me. "Can we please change the subject?"

But Adam and Mallory continue to chuckle, clearly finding the situation amusing. I shoot Adam a pointed look and mutter, "This means Mallory probably told Melanie all about our sex life too."

Adam shrugs, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I expected that."

He adds with a wink, "Nothing to be embarrassed about, my friend."

Mallory, with a casual shrug, nods in agreement. I sigh, realizing this teasing banter won't end anytime soon. It's all in good fun, but I can't help but feel a twinge of discomfort. I glance at my friends, and my thoughts shift.

I'm genuinely happy for Adam. He and Mallory fit together like puzzle pieces, completing one another. It's a joy to see how they've found happiness in each other's company. I can only hope for the same with Melanie—hoping that we get the chance to see how things could be, to explore the potential of a life together.

The rest of the night unfolds without any more mention of Melanie, even though my mind remains consumed by thoughts of her. We share a meal, and Adam and Mallory's cooking leaves me satisfied. As the night winds down, I bid them farewell, hop on my bike, and head to the hotel where I'll stay for the next few days.

The anticipation builds as Saturday approaches. I can't wait to see Melanie, to be near her again. Just three more days, and I'll have the chance to make things right. The challenge lies in finding a way to talk to her privately, especially with Daniel in the picture. Introducing Melanie to my sister is a good start, but I crave a more personal conversation.

I think about the possibilities as I ride through the city streets. Luck has a way of making things fall into place, and I'm holding onto the hope that everything will go according to plan. Melanie coming back to me feels like an elusive dream, but dreams do come true with a little luck.

As I ride through the quiet streets, my thoughts are consumed by the upcoming weekend. The possibilities and uncertainties swirl in my mind, but beneath it all, there's a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this weekend will be the turning point, the catalyst for a new chapter with Melanie.