by Weiss, Sonya
Her blue eyes were wide, her mouth parted, her breathing fast. Like she was playing along. Josie from a distance was beautiful. Up close, she was spellbinding. He’d been close before, but it hadn’t felt like this then. His heart pounded. His mouth went suddenly, crazily dry. His body tightened up, giving him an ache in places that had no business aching.
Josie’s lower lip was full and soft, and he knew from the couple of times he’d kissed her, tasted as sweet as sugar. Slowly, he leaned closer and gave the slightest brush of his lips over hers, trying to remind himself that he was only proving a point. That he could act romantic enough be a great sweetheart ambassador.
Keeping his mouth on hers, he leveraged himself off the ottoman and onto a cushion beside Josie on the sofa. Her lips were warm, tempting, and he was quickly intoxicated, drunk with the need for her.
Wanting more, he tangled his fingers in her hair, and tasted every ounce of that sweetness like a man who couldn’t bear to let go. When she moaned and opened her mouth, he drank deeper. Heat shot through his body when she clutched his back, pulling him harder into her.
Lowering his hands on her waist, he guided her backward until she was stretched out flat on the sofa, then he shifted his weight so that he was lying half on her, half off. It wasn’t nearly enough. He kissed the side of her neck and trailed his lips from her neck down to— A crash, followed by the hard thump of something hitting him in the small of the back, made Lincoln wrap his arms around Josie’s head and pull her against his shoulder.
With a muffled laugh, she said, “It’s the cat.”
In a move he wouldn’t exactly describe as smooth, he rolled off Josie and landed on the floor. The cat climbed to the back of the recliner beside the sofa and glowered at Lincoln.
“Your neighbor needs to register that thing as a menace.”
Josie sat up and straightened her clothes. “I think he’s lonely.”
Lincoln was glad for the cat interruption because his brain had gone on a temporary vacation. A few more minutes later, and he’d have taken them both to a place that would wreak havoc on their relationship.
“If the cat hadn’t jumped on you, how romantic were you prepared to get to prove your point?” She was still quietly laughing, making light of it.
He was having trouble keeping himself from reaching for her again. Which would be as smart as trying to grab that cat and dress him in a sweater. Avoiding her gaze, not wanting to respond to the question, he stood and walked over to the animal. “You can’t barge in, buddy. It’s rude.”
The cat blinked at him, then yawned and ignored him. Lincoln wished he could ignore the turmoil going on inside of him as easily. I don’t know what to say to myself, much less her.
Josie slid from the sofa and walked up behind him. “Are you planning to go home and change before the hayride?”
He hadn’t been, but it would be the perfect excuse to get some time alone to clear his head, and to convince himself that he’d been playing a part the entire time he’d kissed her.
“I want to check if Grayson changed his mind about going, so I’ll just meet you there.” He paused, then gave her a hug because she looked as uncertain as he felt. He stepped back, intending to bid her a quick goodbye.
Good intentions left a lot to be desired when she raised her hand to his face for a brief touch before she stepped away.
If he didn’t get out of here, he would have to sign up for the master course in making stupid decisions.
Forcing a laugh that sounded fake even to him, he said, “I guess I’ll see you in a little while.”
“I’m going to pick up your grandmother. I promised her I’d give her a ride.”
Puzzled, Lincoln said, “If she’s at Mom’s, I pass by there on the way to my house. I’ll give her a ride.” Josie had scrunched her face up like she was sure he didn’t want to hear what she had to say. “What?”
“She’s getting her engagement rings cleaned.”
The room shrunk, his head spun, and all the air whooshed from his lungs. “For me,” he said flatly.
Josie nodded. “She called me this morning and asked which one I liked. I didn’t know if it was something you’d discussed with her. Not wanting to trip you up if you had, I said I couldn’t pick.”
“I’m going to be the only breakup boyfriend in the world who ends up with a wife.”
“Relax, you know how your grandmother is with matchmaking. This is just what she does.”
“Remind me of that on our honeymoon.”
Josie laughed. “Don’t worry, Lincoln, you’d be the last man I’d ever marry.”
And that should have been the end of that, but something in the way she’d said it put his back up, like it was a replay of Savannah dumping him because he wasn’t good enough. “Why is that?” he demanded.
She put her hand on her forehead like a headache was brewing. “Because you’d never ask me to.” Tilting her head, she gave him one of her are-you-done-yet looks.
“If I was going to make the mistake of getting married, you’d probably be the first woman I’d think of.” He’d meant it as a compliment, but the words came out all mixed up. Just like he felt inside.
“Oh, honey, that’s so sweet. I would just love being the first mistake you think of.” When she gave him an irritated glare, he knew he’d better tread carefully.
“I didn’t mean that you’d be a mistake, but that if I ever do make the mistake, you’d be the one I’d make it with.”
“As wonderfully tempting as a life of mistakenly ever after sounds, I’d better get going to pick up Jean.” She walked away from him to get her purse and car keys. “Let the cat out and lock up on your way out. Dear.”
He knew that tone. It was the I’m-pissed-off-guess-why one that women used when they were mad. Lincoln sighed. He never had any trouble communicating until it came to Josie. Then it seemed like he was always saying the wrong thing. Like the stupid comment he’d made at his grandmother’s birthday party. That she looked better.
Lincoln slapped his forehead at the memory. But saying that had been better than saying that he’d never get his fill of looking at her. That, no doubt, would have tangled things up between them even more than they already were.
Chapter Ten
Josie didn’t want to be Lincoln’s mistake. It troubled her that he looked at relationships with such cynicism. His ex had shredded Lincoln’s heart with her evil claws, telling him he wasn’t good enough for her. Savannah’s parents were wealthy, and the woman acted like a spoiled heiress. What Lincoln had ever seen in that woman was beyond Josie’s comprehension and no matter how much he insisted that was over and done, she suspected he was just doing lip service. She wondered briefly if his past with Savannah had anything to do with why he’d pulled away. Her parents were wealthy, too, but surely he could see she was nothing like his ex.
After pulling up outside the jeweler’s, she didn’t have to wait long for Jean to walk out and head to the passenger side. The second the older woman was in, she handed Josie a jewelry bag.
“Thought you’d like what I did. Take a look.” Josie’s heart sank. She hoped it wasn’t something she was going to have to feel guilty about when she and Lincoln called it quits for real.
Letting her car idle, she pulled the box out of the bag and opened it praying it wasn’t one of Jean’s engagement rings.
Inside was the necklace Jean’s family had given her a year ago. It was a silver heart with the names and birthstones of each of her grandkids’ names. In the middle of it, under Casey’s name, Josie’s name and birthstone had been added.
Josie had to fight back tears. She’d always thought of the Bradfords as family, and maybe in some way she’d crushed on Lincoln all those years ago because she’d wanted to actually be part of it. “It’s beautiful.”
“Are you okay, honey? You’ve been acting weird lately.”
“I have?” She thought she’d been doing a good job of keeping her emotions in check.
“Uh-huh. Are you and Lincoln having physical problems?”
“Physical?” Josie hoped Jean wasn’t going where she thought she was.
“Booty calls, knocking boots, whatever you’re naming it. That’s not going well?”
What could she say to that? Lie and say yes, they were booty calling left and right? Speak the truth and say no, the phone wasn’t ringing? Josie wished she could tell Jean the truth, but feared she’d screw up Lincoln’s lie if she did and hurt the chance the fire station would get what it needed. “Um…it’s…fine.”
“You make it sound like things are as exciting as watching Horace clean his dentures.”
“Horace?”
“One of my geezers.” Jean waved her hand like the name didn’t matter. “He wanted me to be his girlfriend and offered me a ring.”
Josie tried to keep up. “So you’re dating Horace?”
“Good heavens, no. He’s boring and egotistical. Any one of those is the kiss of death in a relationship let alone both together. I had to let him go on down the road. You gotta keep things spicy.” She put her seatbelt on and wagged her eyebrows.
“Lincoln and I…we’re spicy,” Josie said, knowing she’d fumbled the ball by the look Jean gave her.
When they arrived at the fairgrounds where the hayride was held every year, Josie parked, but Jean stopped her from exiting. “My grandson is a good man.”
“I know that,” Josie said softly.
“But he’s too cautious with his emotions for his own good. Likes to play it safe. Makes me think of this kid I knew who took a few baseballs upside the head and one square on the nose. He quit going after the ball as hard after that. The other team earned a lot of home runs off that kid. So you know what happened because he kept playing it safe?”
Josie shook her head.
“He got splinters in his ass from sitting on the bench because the coach quit putting him in the game. Life is too short not to play ball with everything you’ve got no matter how many times you get hit.” Jean pushed open her door. “Lincoln’s not the only one who’s cautious.” She stepped out and slammed the door.
Josie got out and walked around the side. “Taking things slow in a relationship is a good idea. It takes time to get to know someone.”
“Sweetie, there’s slow, and then there’s sitting on the bench. You’re headed for splinters.”
Her love life was on the bench, Josie knew that, but it wasn’t from lack of trying. She’d dated. Once she and Lincoln parted ways, she’d be back out in the dating pool. It didn’t sound any more appealing now than it had before she and Lincoln became a “couple.”
Not wanting to dissect her dismal prospects or dwell on the thought of her and Lincoln going their separate ways, Josie reached for Jean’s arm to help the older woman walk to the main attractions. Jean smacked her hand away. “Beat it. I have a geezer on my graydar and he’s headed over here.”
Josie hesitated. “Isn’t that Ron Alexander?” The man owned several businesses in town and was well known as a philanthropist.
“Yes, now scram. Unless you need booty call advice?”
“I’m good.” Josie made a hasty retreat and glanced back over her shoulder right before she reached the funnel cake stand. Jean was already in conversation. When Josie turned back toward the festivities on the main thoroughfare, Lincoln’s mom was squeezing through the crowd to get to her.
As soon as she was within reach, Beverly gave her a long hug. A few minutes later, she leaned back and held Josie at arm’s length. “You look beautiful as always.”
“So do you.” She’d always admired Beverly’s style and the other woman’s warm personality that made her so lovable. Even when Josie had dragged Casey into trouble countless times growing up, Beverly had made it clear that her support for Josie never wavered.
Beverly touched the side of Josie’s face and smiled with eyes glimmering from unshed tears. “I wanted to tell you that regardless of what happens between you and my son, I will always be here for you. You’ll always be part of this family.”
Josie’s throat tightened.
“If you and Lincoln do end up deciding to get married, I would be honored to help you in any way that I can.”
Josie ducked her head. There were dozens of times in her life when Lincoln’s mom had stepped in to be there for her when her own mother wouldn’t. Guilt at the charade she’d put Lincoln and herself in cut into her, and she couldn’t do anything but nod.
Beverly hugged her again. “I’d better go find my husband before he eats too many corn dogs.”
As she walked away, Lincoln came up to his mother. They had a brief conversation Josie couldn’t hear, then Beverly handed Lincoln something that he shoved into his pocket. Then he made his way over to where she waited. “The cotton candy is calling.” He held out his hand. “And we have to play the part of sweethearts.”
Here we go…
She put her hand in his and followed him past a group of teenagers taking selfies, and women from the historical society. “Okay, but tomorrow, no more setbacks. We break up. First thing.”
“Agreed. We can eat breakfast at the diner while we put the play in motion. News always spreads faster there.”
Josie’s steps faltered as she saw her mother approaching. She recognized the slight frown and pinched lips. It meant she’d looked at Josie and found something lacking. She tightened her grip on Lincoln’s hand.
Her mother kissed the air beside her cheek and pulled back. She inspected Josie’s clothes and then uttered a small laugh. “Honey, that outfit should be a thrift store donation.”
“Hello, Mom,” Josie said, not taking the bait.
“I think she looks amazing,” Lincoln said quietly. “She rocks everything I’ve ever seen her wear.”
Josie’s mother focused her attention on him. “I have to admit when Josie first told me about you, I thought she was lying. I never imagined her with you. I encouraged her to lose weight…” Her critical gaze swept over Josie again.
Josie smiled and held up her hand to stop Lincoln’s rebuttal mid-sentence. “Mom, I’m fine the way that I am.”
“I’m not trying to be unkind, dear. I worry about you. Men don’t like women who let themselves go. At least not long-term.”
Josie knew her mother had been subjected to the same criticisms that she was now dishing out. While she hated that her grandmother had done that to her mother, she wasn’t going to let the cycle keep repeating itself.
She leaned into her mom and gave her a hug, effectively ending the talk. “You and Dad have a good time tonight. I’ll see you later.”
She swept passed her.
“She’s wrong, you know,” Lincoln said when they were out of hearing range.
Josie sighed. “I know.”
“I can still remember the day I realized how hot you are.”
She looked at him. “Really?”
“Oh, yeah.” He put his arm around her shoulder and they walked a few feet down the fairway and stopped at the ring-around-the-bottle game.
“I can beat you this year for sure.” Josie put her money on the counter and took the set of plastic rings the guy manning the bottle toss booth offered. Squinting, she tossed each one in turn and missed.
Lincoln flexed his fingers. “You know you still owe me a beer from beating you last year, right?” He paid the guy and after he got the rings, tossed two at the same time. Both sailed perfectly onto the bottles. When he tossed the last two, they also ended up on the bottles.
Josie sighed as Lincoln collected the small stuffed frog and passed it to her. “Next year I’ll win,” she said.
He draped his arm across her shoulders again. “Keep dreaming, my breakup girl.”
They wandered the fairway until they reached the cotton candy stand, and Josie chose one of the blue and pink swirled treats. She began tearing off small bites of it when they started walking again. “You know what I just realized? Within a year of them being named sweetheart ambassadors, ev
ery couple married.”
Lincoln took a piece of her cotton candy. “Morganville’s very own horror story.”
Josie stepped off the pathway and onto the grassy area to let a couple with a baby stroller get past them. “It’s really too bad you feel that way about marriage. I bet you’d be a great husband and father.”
Lincoln’s brow furrowed. “Marriage and fatherhood is just one more way for a guy to fail. No thanks.”
His words shocked Josie. “If there is one thing that you’re not, and never could be, Lincoln, it’s a failure.”
He tossed the piece of cotton candy he held in a trash can and brushed his hands together. “Let’s watch the go-kart races.”
Had Lincoln been one of her clients back when she’d had her counseling practice open, she would have told him he was using avoidance to keep from dealing with an issue. Wanting to help, she said, “If you need to talk—”
Lincoln managed to lead the way through a throng of people to a spot at the edge of the go-kart activity so they had a clear view. “I don’t. My man feelings are fine.”
Josie sighed. “Spoken like a true guy.”
He grinned. “Nagging like a true girlfriend.”
Her heart wrenched, but she forced a smile and teased, “You wish I was really your girlfriend.”
“You read my mind. Now come here, we have an audience, sweetheart.”
…
Lincoln wrapped his arms around Josie’s waist as he stood behind her. The area around the track was filled with beaming parents and photo-snapping grandparents. Inside, he felt like a tangled mess, but outside, he kept a smile on his lips and a look of what he hoped was one that suited a man in love.
The guilt from lying to his family, especially after the talk he’d had earlier with his mom, was starting to consume him. He and Josie needed to breakup, and soon. Until then, though, he’d play his part.
It’ll all be worth it when the station gets the funding it needs.