Not everything’s about you, Zee.
Tina sighs dramatically, then goes into the kitchen without saying a word. Tim grabs ahold of the remote and turns on the TV, choosing to ignore the squabble that is happening right across from him.
But I can’t look away. Which proves to be dangerous when both men turn their attention to me at the same time.
“Holly, can I get a word alone?” they say in unison, word for word, serious expression for serious expression. As they turn to each other with scowls, a horrifying panic strikes me in the center of my chest.
Knowing my loyalty needs to be with Lincoln, seeing as I’m his fake-girlfriend and all, I stand when he does, and follow him from the room.
He’s silent as he leads me to the back porch and closes the door behind us. Without my jacket, I immediately begin to shiver.
“Did something happen between you and my cousin last night?” Lincoln doesn’t waste time beating around the bush. His voice is practically a bark, but surprisingly doesn’t hold an accusation within his question. His gaze softens slightly when he sees the surprise written all over my face, especially when my jaw slackens.
“I…what? Seriously? I wasn’t even gone long enough for anything to happen! I tripped and fell. He got me ice for my ankle. I waited a few minutes until it felt okay to walk on, then I came back. End of story.”
“Holly, I have no claim over you.” His voice is low and silky. “If something happened between you two, I’m not upset. I just need to know so we can get our stories straight.”
“Why does it matter? I’m going to be leaving in a few minutes anyway, and then none of you will ever have to see me again.”Great, that just made me sound guilty, when I haven’t done anything wrong.
“It matters because I know Miller better than I know myself.”
“Okay?”
Rubbing my hands up and down my arms, I try to bring some warmth back to my body, and eye the back door. Why do we have to do this outside? Where it’s freezing? And where my jacket isn’t?
“I haven’t seen him look at a woman like he looked at you since we were teenagers.”
“What's that supposed to mean, Lincoln? Stop talking in riddles because I’m not going to figure it out. Not when my body’s shutting down from hypothermia.”
“He wants you, Holly.”
A nervous laugh rumbles from my lips. “Oh my gosh, you have got to be kidding me! We spent maybe ten minutes together last night, half of which I was lying on the ground in utter embarrassment. And the other half was with ice on my ankle! You’re insane if you think he wants me.”
“No, I know I’m correct. Look, I’m under no illusion that you’re my girlfriend. Obviously, this is just for show, and while I truly appreciate what you’ve done, I also know when I am being friend-zoned. You friend-zoned me from the moment we met at that coffee shop. Which is completely fine, I’m not interested in being anything other than friends, but now Miller is involved. And I think he’s interested in you. I’d put money on it.”
“I don’t even know him. We met for ten minutes,” I repeat as a shiver overtakes my body. Lincoln steps forward and rubs his hands against my arms.
“I know. But I can tell by the look on your face thatyou’reinterested in him, too.”
“Oh, Jesus. I’m here with you. And your audacity is quite large, myfriend.”
Lincoln laughs, but ignores me and continues singing his cousin's praises. “Miller is a standup guy. Loyal, family oriented. He’s also incredibly selfless, and these last several years, his family has needed him. And he’s put them first.”
Am I on a secret dating show right now? What the heck is happening?“Why are you telling me all this, Lincoln?”
“Because in the last twenty-four-ish hours of getting to know you, I’ve learned you are the type of woman I’d want to bring home to my mother.”
A nervous giggle erupts from me. “Didn’t you?”
“Yes, but maybe this is bigger than the two of us. Maybe I didn’t bring you home for me.”
A pregnant pause lies between us. Through the small window in the porch door, we see Miller standing at the kitchen counter, talking to his aunt. They’re smiling and laughing, and as she reaches up to his face, for some reason, I envision them as younger versions of themselves, and I feel like I’m encroaching on a memory.
“This is a lot. I’ve literally only known you and your family for one day.”
“I’m not trying to creep you out.”
“Well, you are. This is way too much. You literally brought me to help you, and now I feel like I’m being sold off to your cousin.”
