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“Your home is so pretty. You pay such attention to detail. I love it.” Callie said.
I agree. This house is beautiful. She even had those little wine charms so we could keep track of which wine glass was ours. Mine was a cute flower. Liza set the wine down, and I heard a grunt come from behind me; I turned and saw Lincoln standing there.
I was staring, and Callie had to knock my knee with her leg to get me to snap out of it. I could tell by the stupid grin on his face that he caught me. It was kind of sexy, which made me mad at the same time because he clearly knows exactly how hot he is. It's annoying. I wanted to hate him for it, but I didn’t. He sat beside Liza and kissed her cheek. She waved him away from her cheek.
“Oh, stop it,” she blushed a little. “Go in the kitchen and check on the food.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a salute. When he entered the kitchen I heard him say, “Don’t go in there. They are having girl talk.” I can only assume he was talking to August.
Liza started talking again. “So, what have you ladies done since getting here?”
August came in to join us, so I stood and hugged him. He held me tight, making me laugh because I hugged him back just as tight. I still can’t believe this is real.
“Hey, good to see you again. This is my best friend, Callie.”
She stood and shook his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Callie; I’ve heard only good things about you. Thanks for caring for her on the ride down here and ensuring she wasn’t alone. I really appreciate it.”
Hearing him thank her for caring for me warmed my heart. It was very fatherly.
“Of course,” she pulled him a little closer and dropped her voice, “Please make sure she’s just as taken care of when I leave. That girl is my soulmate, and I would die without her.”
I slapped her thigh playfully. She looked down at me and laughed before sitting back down beside me.
I looked back at Liza. “To answer your question, Liza, we have only been here for just over twenty-four hours. We went to a nice dinner last night and did some dancing. We saw Lincoln there and talked a little.” She gave me a look like she was worried. “Then today…Well, I guess you already heard how I spent my morning,” I laughed.
“And I just relaxed at the hotel,” Callie added.
“That’s great. Any plans for future days or are you not sure yet?”
Liza was so sweet and genuine, but I looked at her a little wearily because I wasn’t sure what August told her about me staying here.
“Well, actually, Callie leaves tomorrow. She needs to get back to work as soon as possible. The less time her mom has to cover our shifts, the better. I didn’t think this meeting would go so smoothly.” I started to twist the hem of my sweater in my hands.
“I don’t know if August has already spoken to you, but—”
“I did,” August interrupted. I think he saw how uncomfortable I was.
“You did what?” Link came walking back in, chewing on something. He sat on the arm of the couch next to Callie.
“He offered me a room so that I could stay here for a bit while he and I get to know each other.” I looked at Liza and August. “I can pay you some money, of course. I want to contribute.”
She raised her hand to stop me. “You will do no such thing. Family stays here for free.”
“I insist,” I said. “I need to earn my keep. Maybe I can help Lincoln and August at the shop, then?” Link’s eyes got wide.
August was beaming. “I would love that. Link isn’t there during the week, but I’d be glad to have you come hang out with me. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two.” He laughed.
“How long are you staying?” Link asked. He looked worried, or was it hopeful?
“Lincoln Matthew! Don’t be so rude,” Liza said.
“I wasn’t being rude, Ma. I was just wondering.” He looked at me, making sure I didn’t think he was trying to be rude.
I laughed a little. “It’s okay. I didn’t take it as you being rude. I’m not sure yet, actually. I’ll stay until it’s necessary to go home. I don’t want to overstay my welcome, so you can kick me out as soon as you’re ready.” I smiled like I was making a joke, but I honestly didn’t know.
“I don’t have much waiting back home except my family, who will come here if they miss me enough. Callie’s mom told me to take as long as I needed. She is well aware of what’s happening. I also set my students up with a friend to continue their guitar lessons so they won’t fall behind in their workbooks.”
