AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lexie
“He’s coming.”
Eric’s unwavering faith in Lincoln was admirable, but I would be the one to pick up the pieces of his disappointment.
We’d had four courses at a swanky restaurant where there weren’t even prices on the menu. I hated to admit it was the best steak—best food—I’d ever eaten or that I actually liked the atmosphere. It was posh, but not pretentious. And Eric and I were always dressed for any occasion.
I scraped the remaining chocolate icing off my dessert plate. “He may be, but we won’t be here.”
In one way, I was relieved he hadn’t showed up. It had given Beau, Eric, and me time together that we hadn’t had in a long time. She’d talked of her travels throughout Europe. And we’d reminisced about the past.
But Lincoln was a second away from disappointing my brother.
He was already close to number one on my shit list. I might have to alter his position to all-time number one if he kept this up. What if he didn’t show for the suit fitting?
Eric was capable of bouncing back pretty easily, but he didn’t suffer many disappointments in succession. I wasn’t willing to find out how he’d handle it.
“Dinner’s on him.” Beau threw down her napkin. “We should’ve had champagne. The most expensive bottle.”
I appreciated the sentiment but seriously doubted Lincoln would even notice. The meal would’ve wiped out our bank account, I felt sure, while barely knocking a dent in his.
She leaned back in the booth and closed her eyes. “That was delicious.”
Eric mimicked her posture, and I couldn’t help but smile. “So yummy.”
I couldn’t disagree. “I’m going to need you two to cart me out of here.”
“Maybe they’ll let us sleep here,” Beau said. “They should put beds in the backs of these restaurants so we can pass out from our food comas.”
“Miss Hollingsworth?”
Beau popped one eye open when the waiter spoke her name. He shifted on his feet and cast a wary glance in my direction.
“Yes, Benjamin.”
“Um—” He cleared his throat and leaned closer to her. “The credit card we have on file has been declined.”
He spoke quickly and had the decency to look embarrassed for us.
“Lincoln’s?”
“Yes, Mr. Hollingsworth’s.”
She grabbed her purse. “I swear these fraud checks they have in place.” She unfolded her wallet and handed him a black credit card. “Cross your fingers,” she said as she handed it to him.
She had an ability to make awkward situations a lot easier.
“How much do we owe you?” I asked when he’d shuffled away.
She waved me off. “Not a thing. He’s going to be giving me cash for this one. Plus, I get to give him a hard time about the great Lincoln Hollingsworth’s credit card being declined.” Her grin was infectious and dangerous. “Should we call him now?”
I shook my head. I didn’t want to risk he might answer her this time and actually show up. His energy was a lot to handle. If I were being perfectly honest, I wasn’t up to the challenge he presented. Not after the long day we’d had.
The waiter returned with the receipt, which Beau signed with a flourish.
“I was going to give him the painting I made,” Eric said, disappointment lining the fringes of his tone.
I slung an arm around him as my heart twisted. “I bet Beau would appreciate it,” I whispered.
