I’ve started walking toward my car, debating whether to cancel the mixer Leslie scheduled for me next month on the first, when someone calls my name. I toss a glance over my shoulder and find Linc running toward me.
“Hey, are you all right?”
“Well, IthoughtI had a date.” I laugh, keeping it light, even though my mind is spiraling. Especially since I’m pretty sure one of those familiar faces I spotted in the restaurant was the PI I hired to follow Julian. Lord only knows what case he’s working now.
“So, it wasn’t a date?” Linc scratches his temple, like,Please, makeit make sense.
A small giggle rumbles over my shoulders. “Turns out he just wanted to offer me a job…as aLuxe Ladiescast member.”
Linc presses a fist to his mouth, clearly trying to mask a laugh. “Hey, look at it this way—I hear they make bank.”
Playfully, I swat at him. But he catches my hand, holding on a little too long to be casual. We’re lingering in each other’s space a little too long for it to be meaningless.
His intense gray eyes flicker in the vibrant sunlight, and I see the moment when the wordswe can’tiron out the lines of his handsome face.
And he’s right.
We’ve got all the reasons to keep our distance. To be professional. To stymie Cornelia. To respect his stunning date, who’s presumably still inside Whisk & Whistle. And still, as he releases my hand, I can’t help but wish we could disregard all of them.
Chapter Fourteen
Crystal Clear
Lincoln
Ebony wanted to kiss meagain.
I saw it burning in her bright hazel eyes. Right out in the open, in the middle of that parking lot where anyone and everyone could see, she looked at me like she needed me to be the one to step up this time, and Ireallywanted to.
Jesus, for all that is good and holy in this world, the urge to tug her flush to my body and feel her soft skin, her tender lips moving greedily against mine—it was there. In spades.
But I just kept asking myself,Whatare you going to do about it, Linc?
And the answer wasn’t,Fuck it! Just kiss her until she’s teetering on the edge of release. Take her, outhere, so all of Ellswood can see I’m damngood enough for her.
No.Nah.
Instead, a highlight reel flashed behind my eyelids, burning into my skull. I could see it—that look Ebony gave me when she saw me standing there in the crowd at Whisk & Whistle. Her eyes seared me, full of hurt and humiliation. She didn’t need to say a word.
I already knew.
And then the fury that followed—molten rage clenched my fists, made my knuckles ache as I watched that bastard’s hand on her. Every muscle in my body screamed at me to lunge at him. But I just stood there like I had nowhere else to be, no one else to be with.
Alexis’s disappointment felt like a physical weight pressing down on me as I muttered some hollow excuse as to why I needed to step away. I was supposed to be over Ebony. I promised myself I would be. But here I am, still torn between loyalty and that damn ache in my chest that refuses to die.
Whatever happens next between Ebony Grace Livingston and me, it’s got to be her move.
I won’t be her fallback. My intentions have always been plain. I’ve made my moves. The next has to be hers.
So, for the last week, I’ve been giving her space—as much as I can with us both at the manor. In the meantime, working on the finishing touches for the wedding party suites with the crew is helping me keep my distance.
“Wallpaper is going to make all the difference.” Vincent takes wide strides across the room, his hands framing the visual he’s painting for Manny and me. “Think about taking that unfortunate rosebud motif and magnifying it so it gives us a bold, original pattern. That way, it makes the space feel cozier, warmer. Still historically accurate, but surprisingly contemporary.”
Neither of us says a word.
My budget is tight enough as it is. Exorbitantly priced wall rosebuds? When I’m already cutting corners to update restrooms, relocate poorly placed outlets, and add more lighting? Yeah, that’s not in cards.
Vincent sucks in a deep breath and holds it, visibly incensed. “Listen, I’m going to need verbal feedback here, and now. It’s already mid-July, honey. We’ve got a couple months left, and I don’t do half-assed, so…” He drags in a deep breath. “Let’s just say, with your input, I’d like to finalize this assoonas possible.”
