AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I disagree and think we’ve got thousands of miles to go.”
“You’re just saying that because you like hanging out at my mom’s store and getting a dose of her bottomless positivity and light.” Lucy let out an exasperated breath. “I think this little speech has everything to do with my lovely family and very little to do with me.”
“That makes no sense. Have you been listening to anything that I’ve been saying?”
“Empty sentiments that don’t mean a thing.” She shook her head. “I just spent an hour with your inamorata and had the happy experience of being deluged with all the many reasons why you two are perfect for one another.”
“Lucy, that’s not….”
She put up her hand. “I will not get in the middle of whatever it is you two have cooking.”
Linc tipped his head and told himself not to lose his shit. It had been a long time since he’d felt so angry, and he knew it was because the potential of what he and Lucy could have was so damn incredible. “Can I share my perspective on the situation?”
“If you must.”
Thekill the Krackenvibe had reappeared, and he decided to ignore it and forge ahead. “As I said earlier, Julie is my childhood friend. And nothing more.” He glanced over and shook his head when he saw the death glare Julie was sending Lucy’s way. “We’ve never had any romantic chemistry and….”
“Don’t kid yourself, Linc. She has feelings. Big ones. And I’m guessing that she always has.”
“I think she associates me with safety and home. She’s wild. Always has been. If there is a risk, a gamble, or a sketchy opportunity, she’ll run at it with her hair on fire without a second thought.”
Lucy twisted her mouth into a frown. “And I’m guessing you’ve played the knight in shining armor role and saved her whenever she’s gone too far or needs to be put back together.”
“Something like that.”
“A lot of people would define that as love. And based on what she said earlier, she’s convinced that you feel the same way, and the only one standing in the way of her happy ending is me.”
Linc looked to the sky. “I’m just….”
“The one she counts on.”
He dropped his head and took Lucy’s hand. “The woman has a huge family that is more than willing to take on the job. I told her yesterday that my steed and I have retired, and if she needs to be pulled out of a fire she created, it would be best to call someone in her family.”
“Something tells me that message didn’t land.”
“Then, I’ll keep sending it until it does.” Looking down, he studied their entwined hands. “And in case I didn’t make it clear, you’re the one who has the starring role in my future.”
“You don’t know me well enough to say something like that.”
“I know enough.” He moved closer. “I can easily picture your wrinkly face giving me morning kisses fifty years down the road. And your sharp mind keeping me on my toes when we’re sitting on the front porch debating world events.”
“Linc, why are you saying things like that?”
“Because I want a chance to see if the tale of happiness spinning in my heart is possible.” Her expression told him she didn’t believe a word he’d said. “I know the optics aren’t great.”
“I don’t care how things look, Linc.” She shifted away. “But I do care about your intentions. I have leveled up and won’t allow you and your alleged friend to take me back to that dark place.”
“I respect that and have no plans to be anything less than one hundred with you.”
She tilted her head. “Make no mistake, I will not waste my time with any more lotharios. I want the whole shebang and have no plans to settle for less.”
“Well, it’s good that the whole shebang is my specialty.”
She bit back a smile. “You say all the right things.”
“I do the right thing too.” He took her hand again. “Let’s give this thing a shot, Lucy.”
“Are you asking for a date?”
