Page 12 of A Crush Under the Stars
I’m not thinking beyond New Year’s Day, but who knows, when Linc returns to Brisbane he might be up for the occasional booty call?
I’m too emotionally exhausted to date, and I’m tired of my married friends glancing at me sideways like they think I’ll run off with their husbands because I’m single. Hence my social hermit status. But I’ve already connected with Linc, so I’m not averse to hooking up now and then.
Before I search for Linc, I’ll clear my head at the beach, but when I open the front door, Linc’s on the other side, hands thrust into his pockets, consternation creasing his brow.
“You stayed,” he said, sounding less than pleased.
“Yeah, I had a hankering for some wedding cake, so thought I’d stay an extra few days.”
His eyes widen slightly. “You’re coming to the wedding as my date?”
“If the offer still stands.”
“It does.” His lopsided smile does something weird to my chest. “The groom is Emery’s brother, and she said it’s super casual, so the more the merrier, otherwise I wouldn’t have asked you.”
That deflates my ego a tad, but before I respond, he adds, “I’m trying to put you at ease, so you don’t feel like you’re intruding. But I really want to spend more time with you, so that’s why I asked you to be my date.”
Hating that he can read my mind so easily when we’re virtual strangers, I say, “Sorry about this morning. I’m grouchy most of the time, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
“I’ve noticed.” He laughs when I playfully slug him on the arm. “Lucky for you, I’m the one with the dazzling personality.”
“And zero modesty.”
“Fancy a dip?”
I fancy you.Wisely, I don’t say it, and he takes advantage of my hesitation.
“Or we could have an afternoon nap? You must be exhausted after finishing the repairs.”
His gaze focuses on my mouth like it’s the tastiest morsel he’s ever seen, and I liquefy, his ability to turn me on with just a glance almost as startling as my rampaging libido when he’s near.
“The ocean isn’t going anywhere,” I say, feigning nonchalance, and he lets out a jubilant whoop as he backs me into the cottage and reaches for me.
I doubt there’ll be much napping involved.
13
LINCOLN
I’m in trouble.
The kind that can’t be solved by drinking a slab of beer or an intense gym workout.
I know, because I tried both last night, after spending an intoxicating afternoon in bed with Vera.
I like her.Likelike her.
To the point of asking her to stay on the island.
She’ll freak out and leave on the first plane out of here tomorrow, but I have to try. And I’m going to do it before the wedding, because I’m so angsty I can’t see straight.
Initially, I planned on masking my invitation as a work thing. It’s going to take time finding a replacement handyman for Bob when he retires, so she’d be doing us a favour. But Vera’s smart, and she’ll see straight through me, so I’m better off being honest.
If my ridiculously fast feelings freak her out, so be it.
I won’t know if I don’t try, something Grandpa drilled into me every time I screwed up in his workshop. He could build anything, whereas my constructing abilities were confined to drawing on a computer. He’d been in awe of my creations, and would’ve been proud I followed my dream to become a graphic designer. It’s times like this I miss him the most, when I could’ve run my plan past him and he would’ve listened, before giving his verdict in his usual acerbic way.
Not that I ever admit it, but I loved Grandpa more than Dad. As the youngest, Dad rarely had time for me, like he was already worn out after raising West, Kai, and Walker. I didn’t hold it against him, but I grieved for Grandpa a lot longer than I did for Dad.
