Page 26 of Always Been You

“Good. Any plans today?”

“I have dinner at my parents’ tonight. Em actually asked me to bring you with me. You want to go with me?”

Growing up, I ate at the Lincoln’s house often, between Matt and Josh being friends and then Em and Gi becoming friends. Our families grew close, and we often had dinner together once a month. I always loved his parents. Eleanor and Logan were always so welcoming of us into their home, and from what I remember, Eleanor was a skilled cook. It’s been some time since I’ve spent time with his family. It would be nice to see them again.

“Sure, sounds fun. What time do we need to leave?”

“Em will be here at 4:30 p.m. We will give her a ride there and drop her off back at her place on campus after.”

I check the time on my phone, and it’s 12:30 p.m. “We still have a few hours. Wanna watch Manifest? I’ve been dying to watch the next episode, but didn’t want to watch without you.”

He smiles brightly at me. “Yeah, put it on.”

I turn and head into the living room, grabbing the remote and putting it on. I settle into the couch, and Josh comes and sits right beside me. I sit with my legs crossed in front of me and lean back into the cushions. Josh plays with the little hairs on my neck as we watch like it’s the most normal thing in the world. I’ve always loved having my hair played with. It relaxes me. I lean into his touch and his light touches turn into a deeper rubbing of my scalp.

After three episodes, I pause the TV and turn my head to face him. His hand is still in my hair. “I think I’m going to get a snack and then get ready; Do you want anything?” I ask.

He shakes his head, and I get up and head into the kitchen. Grabbing a small bowl of leftover cut-up fruit, I eat it quickly in the kitchen and then head to my room to change and get ready.

I take a fast shower and blow dry my hair, deciding to leave it in a straighter look for the night, pulling the top of my hair back and securing it with bobby pins. I do a natural makeup look and then head to my closet to change into a pair of dark blue jean shorts, a black tank top, with a black sheer button-up top over it, and my favourite pair of black flats, then I head out to the living room.

Standing in the living room, I put them on. As I finish with the last flat, Josh walks out of his room. His hair is wet from his recent shower, and he’s dressed in a light grey button-down, hugging his every muscle and navy-blue chinos that stretch across his muscular thighs. God, this man is sex on a stick. I take in every part of him as he adjusts his sleeves, not noticing me. Looking up, his eyes meet mine and he takes in my outfit and his lips part slightly.

Just then, there is a knock at the front door. Em must be here. Josh continues to stare at me for a few more seconds before he turns toward the front door, clearing his throat. I stand up as he opens it and hugs Em.

I’m always surprised by how beautiful Emily is. Tonight, her gorgeous long blonde hair is in loose waves down her back and her makeup highlights her green eyes and the soft features of her face. She steps into the apartment, her eyes land on me, and her smile widens. She walks over to me and pulls me into a hug.

“Oh my god, Olivia, it’s been way too long,” releasing the hug she still holds on to my arms. Her eyes take me in head to toe, and she lets out a low whistle. “Girl, you look hot,” she says and looks over her shoulder at her brother, “Josh, doesn’t Olivia look hot?”

He stares at us. I can feel his eyes burning into me. “Josh?” Emily prompts.

He coughs lightly. “Yeah,” he says before turning and grabbing his keys.

“Um, we should get going,” he says and opens the front door. He waits for us to exit before he closes it and locks it. Emily hooks her arm through mine as we walk down the hallway.

“We have so much to catch up on. You’ll need to tell me what it’s like living with this weirdo,” she says, tilting her head toward her brother.

We ride the elevator down to the parking garage; Josh opens the passenger side door for his sister and the back door for me, before rounding the car to the driver’s side. The three of us use the drive to his parents’ place to catch up. Traffic isn’t too bad this time of day, so we manage to make it out of the city easily.

Josh pulls into the driveway of his parents’ house and he rounds the car, opening the doors for his sister and me. His parents live in the same house they did when we were growing up. It’s a nice three-bedroom, two-bathroom with a big backyard. Eleanor has flowers planted on both sides of the driveway and the path leading up to the front porch. In front of the porch, she has various rose bushes. Stepping off the pathway, I walk over to the blooming white roses and stick my nose in them.

I hear Josh and Emily climb the steps up the front porch and knock on the front door. The door creaks a little as it swings open and Eleanor’s voice sweeps over me.

“Oh, my babies are home. Where is Olivia?” she asks.

“Over here, Mrs. Lincoln. I was just admiring your beautiful rose bushes.”

At the sound of my voice, she steps out onto the front porch. Eleanor Lincoln looks good for being in her earlyfifties. Tonight, she has her dark black hair pulled back into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. She is wearing minimal makeup and her grey eyes are bright on her face. A smile spreads across her face as she looks at me, stepping away from her roses.

“Well, I’m glad someone other than myself appreciates them, and it’s Eleanor, Olivia.” I join her on the porch, and she pulls me into a giant hug. “Oh, it’s so nice to see you Olivia,” she says and releases me from the hug.

“It’s so nice to see you, Eleanor. Thank you for extending the invitation for dinner.”

“You will always be welcome here. Why don’t we go inside and get some drinks? I’d love to hear all about what you have been up to over the last few years.”

She takes my arm and walks me inside. Walking in the front door is nostalgic. I haven’t been here since Gianna went off to university. There is a little den on the right side of the entryway that the Lincolns use as an office and library, and on the left side is their open, spacious, living room. Mr. Lincoln is sitting in his recliner with a beer in his hand. He looks up at us and places his beer down, giving each of his children a hug. He looks at me and a big smile stretches across his face.

“Is this Olivia Carter? We haven’t seen you in this house in some time dear. Where have you been hiding?” he says, pulling me into a hug. Logan Lincoln is in his late fifties. Since I’ve seen him last, grey has started to mix in with his chestnut brown hair. Looking at him and Josh, it’s easy to see the family resemblance. They have the same eyes, high cheekbones, and strong jaws.

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