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“Yes.”
“You worked everything out.”
Yes, for you, you dumbass.
“What about your house?” He stares deep into the hypnotic flames of the now-roaring fire.
“You mean my dad’s house? He sold it. Not his style.”
“To your sister?”
“Hell no!”
He’s thinking, and he’s yet to look at me.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers.
I don’t want to cry. I’m too tired and emotional for this conversation. It’s been four weeks of no contact with so many unspoken words between us, but all I can say is, “It’s okay.”
He lets out a big sigh. “It’s not. I’m a fucking disaster.”
I know he is. When his yaya dropped by the first day I moved in, she told me he was crying the other night in her arms and my heart broke for him all over again. She asked me if I could fix her broken boy.
I hope I can.
I place my hot chocolate on the white marble hearth and kneel in front of him.
He’s so handsome, and his tan is still deep considering he’s been home for over a month; maybe it’s the white tee shirt that makes him look darker or the low warm glow of the fire. Although I’m guessing his Greek heritage will help prolong his tan too. Whatever it is, he’s still my dark and mysterious man.
He has no choice but to look deep into my eyes as I cradle his face with my hands.
“You are not a disaster.” I thumb his cheek. “Your heart may feel broken right now, but you are not a disaster. You have people in your life who love you. I saw that with your family in Santa Monica, Linc. The people in your life are the people who matter the most.” His eyes become glassy with emotion. “You need to focus on what you have and not what you don’t. Maybe one day your mom will want to get in touch with you; maybe she will realize what she lost, and I know you said she was dead to you, but I know you. You will give her a chance if she ever does come looking because you are exactly like your father in every way. Never doubt that.” I give him a reassuring smile. “I think you are way more handsome than he is though. Just don’t tell him I said that.” His gentle laugh ripples through the air. “It’s going to be okay. The fate of us meeting, and the way we did, it showed you what you were destined to always find out anyway. Olivia will never change and you are surrounded by people who love you, Lincoln.”
“She didn’t want me.” He blinks and one lonely fat tear slides down his cheek. “It hurts so bad.”
I give him a caring nod. “It will get better.”
“I’m so tired.”
I don’t kiss him. Instead, I gently coax him to lie down with me on the thick gray rug in front of the fire. I create a makeshift bed for us and lie on my side facing the fire, instructing him to spoon me.
He snuggles into me and says an almost inaudible thank you.
With his warm body pressed against mine, in his giant bear arms, we fall asleep together in minutes to the sounds of the crackling wood. And it’s the best night’s sleep we’ve both had in weeks.
CHAPTER 28
Lincoln
I woke up this morning with Violet wrapped around me. Her soft hand lay over my chest as she gently snored away. I didn’t want to move. I stared at the ceiling for half an hour before I had to get up for work.
It’s the first straight eight hours of sleep I’ve had in weeks and I feel like a new man.
I don’t deserve her. I’ve been a bastard to her, leaving her without a goodbye.
But she came for me.
She’s too good and kind.
