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The thought of seeing Charlotte after last night, after my hot dream… fuck no. I couldn’t parade around with her and Lincoln, pretending that everything was a-okay.
“I can’t today.” Rubbing the bridge of my nose, I said, “I’m feeling a little under the weather. Must be the change in climate. You go ahead.”
“Are you sure? I can hang out here.”
“No, I know you want to have fun with the others.”
“And Charlotte. She’s so hot.”
That she is and more. “I hadn’t noticed,” I lied.
Alex snorted. “Lincoln is a lucky bastard.”
I gritted my teeth but kept my expression carefully guarded.
11
CHARLOTTE
“Hey, Char. Wait up.”
I glanced over my shoulder to see Lincoln hurrying up the hill toward me. Shit. I’d gone out of my way to avoid him all morning. That was a little easier to accomplish because my group was bigger today. Two instructors called out so the rest of us picked up the slack. The larger group had worked out in my favor until now.
Slowing my steps, I forced a smile. “Hey, Lincoln.” Relaxing around him after what Jamie revealed last night was impossible.
He fell into step beside me and I immediately felt a wave of unease. I didn't know how to act around him anymore. Every word and gesture would feel like I was walking on eggshells because I was afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing. I didn’t want to risk unintentionally giving him any idea that I was interested in rekindling our romance.
“What’s up with you today?” he asks.
When I glanced at him, his penetrating stare was fixed on me, so I faced forward. “What do you mean?”
“Is it me or have you been avoiding me all morning?”
Busted. “What? Of course not. It’s just that I have a bigger group today and I don’t want the newcomers to think I’m giving you and your friends special attention.” Not wanting him to be too suspicious, I forced myself to be the easy-going woman he knew. Lowering my voice, I added, “Your group is my favorite, but let’s keep that between us.” My conspiratorial wink made him laugh.
“Your secret is safe with me.” After a beat of silence, he said “Still, you were so jumpy this morning.”
Dammit. I stifled a groan, wishing he’d drop it.
Watching me closely, he began, “Jamie didn’t…”
My heart stopped and then stuttered back to life to race like a frightened rabbit fleeing a predator. Oh, God. He knows. Did he see us? Is he pissed? Hurt?
“He didn’t offend you again last night, did he? You said he apologized but maybe he said something you didn’t like…?”
Relief flooded me and my poor heart slowed to a normal pace. It wasn’t that I was afraid to be honest with Lincoln about my feelings for his friend. What I was afraid of was hurting him. When I glanced at him, a heavy feeling settled on my chest. I’d have to disappoint him sooner or later. Maybe tell him about Jamie…
Or maybe it wasn’t worth ruining our friendship over something that wouldn’t last. I mean, Jamie and I were from completely different worlds. He would leave the island in a few days, and I’d likely never see him again. I’d never been so confused about anything in my life. For once, I wasn’t confident in my ability to make the right choice.
“Absolutely not,” I replied. “Jamie was a perfect gentleman.” And then he kissed me with enough passion to light the entire island on fire. “I didn’t get much sleep last night, and I had a shit ton of coffee this morning.”
“That’s right. I remember how jumpy you get when you have too much caffeine.”
“Yeah…”
“I know you pretty well, don’t I, Char?” Lincoln smiled at me. “I wonder if there’s a lot more that I haven’t learned yet.”
Crap on toast! Was this the moment? Was he going to announce that he wanted us to be a thing again? What should I do? My gaze swiveled around the forest, desperately searching for a way out of the conversation. Fortunately, the zip line platform came into view.
