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After Beth left, I finished my drink and paid my tab, then walked back to my hotel. That night, I slept better than I had in months, my stress and anxiety ebbed by good conversation and alcohol.
The alarm on my phone woke me with a start. For a few seconds, I thought I was late for work, but then I realized it was Saturday.
I frowned, eyes still lidded with sleep. Why did I have an alarm set on a Saturday?
Then I remembered where I was and why I was there—Lincoln; breakfast before meeting Piper.
My stomach dropped as anxiety ravaged my nerves. My heart pounded fiercely in my chest, and my lungs clenched in panic.
I can’t do this. I can’t do this. What if she hates me?
My breaths became quick and shallow as a panic attack started to take hold.
Deep breaths, Liv. Deep breaths.
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to calm myself down.
You can do this. You need to do this. Lincoln and Piper deserve it.
The constriction in my chest eased, and my heart rate slowed. I kept taking deep breaths in and out until my breathing went back to normal, and my body relaxed.
My eyes fluttered open, and I stared up at the ceiling for a few seconds before finally getting up. As I was putting my makeup on, my phone beeped with a notification. I glanced at the screen and saw a text from Lincoln.
* * *
Lincoln: Good morning, beautiful. Hope you’re ready. If not, this is your wake-up call :)
* * *
My lips curved up at Lincoln’s message. I went back to doing my makeup, and excitement bubbled up inside me. I hadn’t felt that way in a long time, and the last time I had that I could remember was because of Lincoln.
I’d dated a few times after I’d left, but nothing serious. I’d never been able to commit to anyone when I’d left what remained of my heart with Lincoln.
A knock on the door startled me, making me smudge my eyeliner. I huffed in frustration, then called out, “Be there in a minute.”
I wiped off the black smear, then finished applying my makeup. I gave myself one last once-over in the mirror before going to the door and opening it.
Lincoln greeted me with a beaming grin. He was dressed in a blue polo that made his eyes look more blue than gray. “Hey.”
I smiled. “Hi. Just let me grab my purse, and we can go.”
As we walked to the elevator, Lincoln said, “You look beautiful, Liv.”
My cheeks heated from his compliment. “Thank you.” I darted my eyes up to his. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Our eyes remain locked for several seconds as we waited for the elevator. My stomach knotted as we stared at each other, and every second felt like a minute as my heart thrummed in my chest.
The elevator dinged, and I broke eye contact as we entered the elevator. My heart felt like it was racing a mile a minute as Lincoln stepped in next me. The feel of his body heat against my skin made me feel delicious things in my lower abdomen.
Damn, I need to get laid.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had sex. It had to have been nine months at least. To say I had built-up sexual tension was putting it mildly. And Lincoln wasn’t helping.
“Are you nervous?” he asked as we exited the elevator.
I chortled. “Nervous doesn’t even come close. I don’t think there’s a word to describe how I feel.”
Lincoln chuckled as he led me outside. “Tell me about it. I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night.”
