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“In Asher’s case, those drops would no doubt be accompanied by sharp metaphorical knife wounds.”
“Wow, that’s not something to mess with.”
“I know,” Bea said with resignation. “And believe me, I don’t plan on it.”
Lucy tried not to notice Linc as he joined Zane, Asher, and a group of kids from town but found it nearly impossible. The man was effortlessly masculine with his chin flick and bro hugs. Acres of burly muscles and tanned skin were difficult to look away from, and she didn’t know why he was the one who possessed the irresistible pull that she was powerless to ignore. Did the gods think so little of her ability to choose correctly that they gave him extra sauce just so she wouldn’t have an option?
Bea tilted her chin toward the group. “Don’t mistake Linc’s laid-back vibe for lack of tenacity. He’s a blue-green and loves hard for life.” She smiled faintly. “It could be the perfect answer for your purple-blue since you’re stronger than steel on the outside.”
“And the inside,” Lucy said quietly.”
“You need a place to be safely vulnerable. Linc knows that and wants to become that space for you.” Bea bit her bottom lip. “But know that he’s a man who goes all in. For life. Love. And anything that matters. So don’t play because the universe will never let you get away with it.”
“Great, just the sort of news I was hoping for.” She turned away from Linc and took Bea’s hand. “Let’s go find a new view and see if we can give the slip to destiny, the gods, and anyone else interested in directing our fate.”
Bea nodded before giving Asher one last look. “I think that’s a fine idea.”
Lucy headed toward the food truck that had just arrived and decided that some macaroni and cheese could only help their situation because resisting Linc wouldn’t likely last the day.
Linc wiped his hands and prayed the fix he’d made on the popcorn machine would stick. He waved to the two teenagers responsible for running it and hoped they could hit their fundraising goal since thirteen-year-old Mandy informed him that all their future happiness resided on how much dough they could pull in for the class trip.
He spotted Zane near Olivia’s Ferris wheel and made his way over. “What have we got here?” he asked as he ambled up. “The great brain trust?”
“Something like that,” Zane said as he rolled his eyes. “This young gentleman is named Sammy, and he’s fairly free with the advice, so prepare yourself.”
Linc gave the kid a tip of his chin. “I’m always down to hear words of wisdom.”
Zane pointed to a girl swinging a panda purse in a circle. “And, this delightful young lady is Kelsey. She runs about ten steps ahead of the rest of us.”
“Nothing better than being in the company of brilliance.” He turned to the teenager standing behind the kids. “How’s it going, Zelda?”
“As good as you’d expect.”
Feeling a small set of hands dig into his jeans, he looked down.
“Are you the cousin all the moms gossip about at the playground?” Sammy asked as he stepped closer. “A bunch of them were talking about you being bad in a good way.” He swiped his hand over his nose. “What does that mean?”
Kelsey tugged on Linc’s hand. “Zelda likes details, so use a lot of words.” She leaned up on her toes. “Happy babysitter, happy life.”
“I feel ya, girl. But have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Zelda snorted loudly. “I doubt that.”
“Wow, I didn’t realize your side hustle in the intel game included my private life,” Linc replied with a laugh.
Zane tipped his head toward the boy who was copying Linc’s stance. “Looks like you got an admirer, cousin.”
“Whatcha doing there, little man?”
“Copying you,” Sammy said firmly. “I want to be bad but good.”
“Might need a few more years before that’s possible.”
Sammy tipped his chin toward Lucy and a group of women. “Which one you got an eye on?”
Linc ruffled the kid’s hair. “A man never gives away his target. Best to keep that kind of information to yourself.”
Kelsey glanced over at Zelda. “Who does he like? You know just about everything that happens in Haven.”
