Page 29 of Falling for Her

I roll my eyes. “He’s a comedian.” I try to hide the smile pulling at my lips.

He doesn’t move away from me, and I see the ink on his arms up close and wonder what all the tattoos mean. He leans his hip against the counter. “I’m not kidding, though. I’ll be home tonight for dinner.”

“If you say so.” I put the warm rim of the cup against my lips. “But let’s not say anything to Asa, just in case you have to get in your Batmobile and save the world.”

When he’s this close, I can see the little, tiny flecks of gold in his light-brown eyes. “Okay, I won’t say anything, but I’m telling you so that you know.”

“Great. So I’ll be able to get out of here when you get home?” I ask him, and he nods.

“I have to head out.” All I do is nod my head. “You’ll have him call me when he gets up?”

“The first thing I’ll have him do, even before he brushes his teeth,” I reply, proud of myself that I made him brush his teeth yesterday and take a shower after our bike ride.

“Sounds good, Finley. Have a good day.”

“Be safe, Lincoln,” I reply.

I walk to the hallway where I can see out of the door window as he jogs down the steps. His head disappears, and then his truck pulls out. His aviator glasses are on, and I have to admit, he’s really fucking hot.

My thoughts are cut short when I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. “Did Dad leave?” Asa sounds disappointed, and my heart breaks for him.

“He got a call and had to rush out,” I lie.

He moans as he pads barefoot to the couch and picks up his tablet, calling his father.

“Hey, buddy,” Lincoln answers.

“You left so early,” Asa says softly.

“I’m sorry, buddy.” I retreat to the kitchen as they talk to each other. Lincoln doesn’t tell him he’s coming home early, and I’m thankful for that.

When he hangs up, I lean over the back of the couch. “What do you want to do today?” I ask him. “Anything you want, we’ll do it.”

His eyes go big. “Really?”

“Really,” I repeat, hoping he’s not going to make me do anything I’m afraid to do.

“Can we go fishing?”

I shrug. “Sure.” How hard can that be? “Why don’t you go and brush your teeth and all that, and we can have breakfast at the bakery. Maybe we can have Everleigh pack us a lunch and then see if we can find anyone who can lend us some fishing poles.”

He doesn’t even give me time to finish the sentence as he runs up the steps. “Make your bed,” I yell up the stairs after him, and hear him scrambling around.

Twenty minutes later, he’s coming down the steps. I have a bag with sunscreen in it, and we’re heading out to the car. I’m a little relieved that there is nothing on the window like yesterday. The minute I got the note, I sent my lawyer a letter and told him about it. I threatened to get a restraining order against Davis if he didn’t stop. My lawyer called me back to tell me he spoke to him and he will give me time. As if time is going to make me change my mind.

I make my way through town with all the windows open and the wind flying in. I park right in front of the bakery. When the two of us enter, we’re assaulted by the smell of banana bread.

“Ohhh.” I look around to see that most of the tables are taken. I follow Asa to the counter. “What do you want?” I ask Asa, who looks at the bagels.

“I’ll have the rainbow bagel with cream cheese,” he decides, and I smile at Everleigh, who comes out from the kitchen.

“Good morning, you two. What can I get you guys?”

“Asa would like a rainbow bagel with cream cheese, and I’ll have an everything bagel with light butter. And can I get a latte?” She nods as she turns to start our order.

“What do you guys have planned today?” she asks us.

“We’re going fishing,” Asa announces. Everleigh’s eyes shift to me.