"Hey Marci, come grab something to eat. Carl's cooking, and it's to die for!" Brian called through the slightly open door. After Drew had left she had fallen back asleep. Glancing over at the clock beside her she found that it was about 10.15am. Groaning groggily Marci started getting out of bed.
"Just clean up your face a bit. It's just me, you, and Carl; and we're still in our PJ's." Brian added helpfully before closing the door behind him.
Moving into the bathroom she tied her hair into an untidy ponytail, quickly washed her face, and then joined the boys in the kitchen. Carl was busy slaving at the cooker in just a pair of cargo shorts. He looks yummy! Lucky Brian, Marci thought to herself.
"That's how I like them Brian," she said with a nod at Carl who was busy rummaging through her fridge, "barefoot and slaving at the stove."
Carl threw a table wipe at her and she ducked; but not quite quickly enough. It still caught her square in the face. Settling down to watch them get busy preparing brunch, Marci couldn't control the overwhelming emotions that washed over her. It was warm, smelt great and the chatter flowed easily between everyone in the room. It was all so very cosy and easy to get used to.
"Hey, you alright sweetheart?" Carl asked her with concern in his voice, noticing her distant gaze. Shaking her head slightly, she told him she was ok and grabbed the knife and fork set in front of her.
"I'm waiting." She stated looking at both the men expectantly.
Breakfast was a noisy affair. She suspected that Carl and Brian were just trying to fill the obvious void by chattering, but she too distracted wondering what Drew was up to too pay much attention to the conversation. Most importantly, how had Keri gotten her number? Marci hated how accessible she felt. She was usually in touch with just a few people on a social level, and mostly kept to herself.
Work, of course, was a whole different story. By its very nature she came into contact with more people than she could count daily; hence her need to isolate herself a little when she wasn't working. It had been one of the reasons she loved the house in Malindi so much.
"Who knows how Keri got my number?" she asked abruptly as Brian was clearing the dishes and Carl was audibly listing all the healthy foods Marci should make an effort to eat.
"Not from me." Brian quickly answered, looking at her curiously.
"She called you?" Carl asked with a deep frown wrinkling his face.
"Not really. She called and asked to speak to Drew. I really don't want to get involved with those two, I get the feeling I'm the one who'll get shafted."
"Not while we're alive, Marci. Keri's pretty devious; I wouldn't put it past her to have skimmed anyone of our phones for it. She's not above petty spying." Brian told her with a shrug.
"What's their story, really? Drew just skims over it and you know him, I can't really push him into telling me anything he doesn't want to get into." She muttered resignedly.
"That's for him to tell you Marci, don't put Brian in a weird position with his bro." Carl advised from his end of the island.
"True that, although to be completely honest, I'm not sure even I have all the details. You know guys; we don't have talks about our emotions or relationships. I suspect you are the only one he's going to really tell. I may know a little more than you do, but I can bet my life you'll be the best informed of us; if you asked. The man has a weakness for you, trust me." Brian finished with a wink.
"Hmmm....why can't I like a man who isn't lusted after by half the female population? I'm jinxed and I hate it. I used to be so drama free!! Now I can barely show face in my hometown."
"That's your choice Marci." Brian chided gently," as far as I can tell, the only person in Malindi not feeling you is Mila. Which reminds me, I should call Nate; I told him I'd speak with him later today about something. Should we invite him over?" The last question marked with a laugh.
"Why not? The more, the merrier." Carl said, laughing along with Brian.
Thinking it was probably about time she took a shower; Marci excused herself and went to her bedroom. A bath would be excellent, she though to herself as she filled it, pouring liberal amounts of bath cream in. It was still a bit nippy outside and the bath would do her good. Maybe she'd stop obsessing about what Drew could possibly be doing with Keri right now. She had tried so far not to show her jealousy too much. She wasn't a very emotional person as a rule but this whole Keri business was definitely getting to her.
"Outrageous, When I move my body, Outrageous, When I'm at a party, Outrageous, In my sexy jeans, Outrageous, When I'm on the scene, Outrageous, My sex drive, Outrageous, My shoppin' spree, Outrageous, We on a world tour, Outrageous, Let's be it, girl, Outrageous!"
Marci was practically shouting along to the song. It was probably why she didn't hear Drew enter the bathroom a few minutes into her bath. She almost drowned herself in surprise when he pulled the headphones out of her ears. Looking down at her, laughing, she couldn't tell if he was laughing at her situation, or her singing.
"You sing like Britney." He commented dryly and she threw a wet sponge at him. He's probably right, she thought
"You still buy 9 million of her badly sung albums, so I'll take that as a compliment." She retorted as he picked up the wet sponge and placed it at the sink.
"Has money solved all your problems?" she asked pointedly when he didn't speak for a few seconds.
"Feeling confrontational, or jealous, or both?" he asked, fixing her under his intense stare. It was a particularly intense stare, considering she was naked and vulnerable under the water. A quick glance told her that he'd picked up a change of clothing somewhere. He looked nice, even if a little bit too covered up for her taste.
"Jealous." She said confirmed, looking absolutely miserable.
"Baby, you have absolutely no reason to be jealous of her. It's funny, you make her absolutely livid. She's intensely jealous of you." Drew told her as he started to strip off his clothes.
