Chapter 48

Chapter48 He's Happy To Splash Out On Me

Marissa brushed off the woman's request with a flat refusal.

The woman's face contorted for a split second before she plastered on a sugary smile, tossing her long, curly hair with a sarcastic flourish. "I just want to use your phone to make a call. Why are you being so cold?"

Unfazed by the woman's antics, Marissa reached for the hand dryer, her movements deliberate.

As Marissa made for the exit, the woman sidestepped to block her path, standing tall with a sneer curling her lips. "Why can't you lend me your phone? You're so unhelpful."

"Yup, I'm unhelpful," Marissa shot back, not sparing her a glance. She brushed past, her shoulder grazing the woman's, sending her stumbling to the restroom floor.

"Ow!" the woman cried, clutching her ankle and pretending to be severe pain.

Marc's concerned voice rang out. "Rissa?" The next second, a sharp voice yelled, "Why'd you push Rosie?"

A short woman hurried past Marc and into the restroom,where she knelt to help her friend, Rosie Quimby,up.

Rosie glanced at Marc a few times, resisting her friend's pull.

"Rosie, you've been packing on a few lately? I'm struggling to hoist you up!" her friend teased, brow furrowed as she tugged at Rosie's arm.

Rosie's cheeks burned hotter than a summer sidewalk. She was mortified that her friend had said those words in front of her new crush.

She swatted her friend's hand away, irritation bubbling over. "I haven't gained an ounce. You're just weak as a wet noodle."

Her friend gave another yank, but no dice. She shot a glare at Marissa. "Why are you standing there like a statue? You knocked her down-least you could do is lend a hand!"

Marissa glanced down, lips barely parting, cool as a cucumber. "What, trying to pull a fast one on me?"

"Rissa, are you alright?" Marc hustled over, his eyes locked on Marissa, worry etched on his face He hadn't seen Rosie take her tumble and figured the slick floor by the restroom was the culprit.

"Zip it! You're throwing a wrench in my game plan!"Rosie hissed at her friend.

She then turned to Marc, eyes big as saucers and glistening like she'd just watched a tearjerker. "Sir,could you give me a hand? I think I twisted my ankle," she cooed, voice sweet as honey.

Marissa caught Rosie's shy, hopeful look and wondered if her brother had just won the heart of this starry-eyed woman.

She held her tongue for a beat, wisely staying out of her brother's potential love story, keeping her cool and distant vibe.

Rosie's friend seemed to catch on, shaking her head with a soft mutter that carried to everyone."What's the deal? Since when did you twist your ankle?"

Marc brushed off Rosie and her friend, zeroing in on Marissa. "Youneed a hand, Rissa?"

When Rosie clocked that Marc and Marissa were tight, her shy act vanished faster than ice cream in July. She slumped on the floor, gazing up at Marc with puppy-dog eyes. Rosie's friend clasped her hands, darting to Marissa with a desperate look. "Miss, could your guy help us out? Maybe take Rosie to the hospital?"

Worried Marissa might refuse her request, she piled on the plea. "Please, I'm begging you.Rosie tweaked her ankle in gym class a few days back,and now it's acting up again. We're scared it's gonna get worse!"

"Miss, please..." Rosie sat on the floor, looking.at Marc bitterly, but Marc ignored her. Her eyes never left him, not even when she spoke to Marissa.

"Twisted ankle, huh?" Marc's gaze dropped to Rosie's foot.

Sensing she'd hooked his attention, Rosie flashed a smile sweeter than pie. "Yeah, it's killing me," she pouted.

She flicked her eyes at Marissa, practically daring her with a spark of mischief. So what if Marc was Marissa's man? He was worried about her now.

Marissa rolled her eyes and fixed Rosie with a steady look.

Rosie felt a shiver run down her spine under Marissa's calm but steely gaze, like waking up from a bad dream. But on second glance, Marissa's eyes were cool as a breeze, not a hint of jealousy in sight.

"Miss, your boyfriend's worried about me. You're not green with envy, are you?" Rosie chirped, tilting her head with a cutesy flair. "If you hadn't bumped into me, I wouldn't be dragging him into this."

"Nah," Marissa sneered, unfazed by Rosie's indignant pout. "You've got some serious acting chops. Ever thought about the big screen? I know some top-notch agents if you're game."

Rosie blinked, thrown off by the curveball. "For real?" she blurted.

Marissa leaned in just a touch, flashing a quick smile before pulling it back. "You bet."

Rosie's mind spun like a top. She did dream of being a star.

"That's gotta cost a pretty penny. You getting bankrolled by your boyfriend? You don't strike me as rolling in dough," Rosie probed, her eyes bouncing between them.

"He's happy to splash out on me," Marissa said with a shrug.

"Wow!" Rosie's eyes lit up like Christmas lights."Your guy's loaded and generous. When I'm ready "Wow!" Rosie's eyes lit up like Christmas lights."Your guy's loaded and generous. When I'm ready for a boyfriend, I'm holding out for one just like him -hot, rich, and totally devoted. I'm so jealous!"