Chapter Six
1236 Words
Lucy lay on her back, eyes fixed on the ceiling listening to the soft hum of the night. The room was quiet, too quiet. Every small sound felt amplified.
After a while, Josh’s voice broke the silence.
“Lucy…are you still awake?”
She smiled faintly. “Yeah.”
“What are you thinking about?”
She considered the question, then answered honestly. “Not much, really. Just…tonight. I actually enjoyed myself. I think this is the first time since I got here that I’ve really felt good.”
There was a pause, then a soft chuckle from the couch. “I’ll take that as a win.”
She turned her head slightly, even though she couldn’t see him. “Thank you. For tonight.”
“My pleasure,” he said easily.
Another quiet stretch settled between them, comfortable, unforced.
“I should sleep,” Lucy said finally. “I hope you’re okay on the couch.”
“I’m good,” Josh replied. “Get some sleep.”
“Good night, Josh.”
“Good night, Lucy.”
Sleep came more easily than it had in days.
Lucy jolted away the next morning, heart racing, the memory of the night crashing into her all at once.
Josh.
The couch.
Oh no.
She sat up quickly, scanning the room.
The couch was empty. The blanket neatly folded. The pillow was placed carefully on top, as if he’d taken time not to disturb anything.
Relief washed over her.
Just then, the door creaked open and Lila walked in, squinting at her. “What’s wrong with you? You look like you just escaped a nightmare.”
Lucy forced a laugh. “Yeah…something like that.”
Lila studied her for a moment, then shrugged.
“Don’t you have a performance this afternoon?”
Lucy groaned. “I do. I totally overslept.”
“Well then, get up,” Lila said, already moving toward the bathroom. “ You woke up late. Chop chop.”
The garden was breathtaking, white chairs arranged neatly beneath swaying palms, flowers framing the aisle, sunlight filtering softly through the leaves. Lucy stood ready, microphone in hand, breathing in the moment.
And this time, she sang freely.
Her voice was strong, warm, steady. She smiled as she performed, really smiled, and felt the joy return to her chest. The couple swayed, guests dabbed their eyes, and for the length of the performance, nothing else mattered.
Unseen by her, Marcus slowed his steps as he passed nearby.
He froze when he heard the voice.
That voice.
He followed the sound, stopping just at the edge of the garden, watching her sing, mesmerized, smiling without realizing it.
When she finished, applause erupted. Marcus joined in, clapping as he stepped closer.
Lucy noticed him then.
He lifted a hand slightly, signaling her over.
She hesitated, then walked toward him.
“I heard you singing,” he said softly. “Your voice…it’s one thing I don’t think I could ever forget.”
She nodded, keeping her tone neutral. “Thank you.”
“How’s Britney?” She asked.
“She’s good,” Marcus replied. “She went with the resort transport to pick up her mom and sister from the airport.”
Lucy nodded again, her smile polite, but guarded.
Lucy and Marcus were mid conversation when a familiar presence shifted the air around them.
Josh.
He stopped a few steps away, glancing from Lucy to Marcus, his expression unreadable. For a brief moment, none of them spoke. The silence stretched, awkward and heavy, like everyone was suddenly aware they were standing in the middle of something they hadn’t named yet.
Josh broke it first.
“Hey, bro,” he said casually, nodding at Marcus. “Britney’s back. She’s been asking around for you. Her mom and sister made it in.”
Marcus blinked, as if pulled from a thought. “Oh. Okay. Yeah.”
Almost on cue, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, Britney, and answered quickly.
“Hey…yeah, I’m nearby…okay, I’ll meet you soon…dinner later? Yeah, that works.”
He hung up and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Josh shifted his weight, then turned to Lucy, a small smile forming. “So…would you be my date for dinner tonight?”
Lucy froze for half a second.
She could feel Marcus’s eyes on her, sharp, questioning, almost warning. There was something unspoken in the way he looked at her, like he expected her to say no. Like he needed her to.
Her heart beat faster.
“I…” she hesitated, then steadied herself. “Yeah. Sure.”
Josh’s smile widened. “Great.”
Marcus’s jaw tightened, just slightly. He masked it quickly, but Lucy noticed.
“Would you mind walking me back to my room?” Lucy asked Josh softly. “I need to get ready.”
“Of course,” Josh replied. “My pleasure.”
They turned to leave, Lucy offering Marcus a polite nod before stepping away. Marcus watched them go, a strange discomfort settling in his chest, something he didn’t quite want to admit to himself.
Marcus peeled off shortly after to find Britney and her family.
“Hey Mrs. James! Hey Jasmine!” He greeted them warmly as he approached them near the lobby and then hugged them.
They exchanged pleasantries, how the flight had been delayed, how beautiful the resort was, how excited everyone was for the wedding.
That evening, the restaurant glowed under warm lights, the sound of a live band playing and laughter filling the space.
Lucy arrived a little late with a beautiful, snatched red dress, nerves fluttering as she stepped inside.
Josh stood immediately.
“Hey,” he said, pulling out a chair for her.
“Thank you,” she replied, smiling.
Josh introduces her to the rest of the family “Hey everyone, this is Lucy my date and she’s actually going to be performing at the wedding.”
Everyone welcomed Lucy. Lucy was charming, the kind of presence that put people at ease.
Britney beamed. “You two look great together, don’t they Marcus?”
“Yeahh, “ he said, a beat too late, forcing a soft smile. “They do.”
Lucy blinked, caught off guard. Josh chuckled lightly.
Conversation flowed, wedding plans, resort activities. Britney was animated, her excitement infectious. Josh chimed in easily, Lucy relaxed more as the night went on.
But Jasmine, Britney’s sister, was watching.
She leaned slightly toward Marcus at one point, lowering her voice. “Is it just me, or are you…uncomfortable? You don't seem very present.”
Marcus frowned. “What?”
She glanced subtly toward Lucy, then back at him. “You’ve been quiet since she got here.”
He scoffed softly. “You’re imagining things.”
Jasmine raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Sure.”
Across the table, Lucy laughed at something Josh said, her smile genuine. Marcus watched her without realizing it, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face.
Jasmine followed his gaze.
Marcus looked away, lifting his glass.
Marcus exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. He told himself this was nothing. That Lucy was free to do whatever she wanted. That Josh was his brother, and this shouldn’t bother him.
But it did.
Because seeing her laugh like that, with someone else, made him realize something he hadn’t allowed himself to admit.
He wasn’t as over Lucy as he’d thought.
- Writer
