Page 40 of Fate Will Bring You Home

I looked down at my tattoo. It is a G clef and bass clef that form a heart.

“I got that when I settled on becoming a music major. Sort of like a symbol for the next chapter of my life, if you will. Honestly, I forget I have it sometimes.” I laughed a little. “Most people don’t even realize I have it. I have another one on my leg.”

“I know,” he said as his lip curved up to one side. “For the record, I noticed,” he said as he released my wrist.

I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat. “Well, I guess I should go. Thanks for showing me your space. It’s very you.”

“Thanks, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I meant it as one.” I turned towards the door, and he lightly clasped my wrist again to get my attention.

“Let me take you out, just the two of us.”

I raised my eyebrows, and butterflies stirred in my stomach. I could feel my face getting pink. “Like on a date? What about August?”

He chuckled, probably at how surprised I sounded. “What about him? You can’t exactly date him. He’s your father, and he’s mar— “

I slapped his shoulder with the back of my hand. “You know what I mean.”

He caught my hand against his chest and kissed a few of my knuckles. “No, I don’t, and yes, on a date.” He was still smiling.

“What if us dating, or whatever, causes issues with him and me? Or worse, him and you? As I said before, we are stuck in each other’s lives, even if you start to hate me or get bored.”

He caressed my cheek with his thumb and then grabbed both of my hands. “I could never hate you; I don’t think anyone could. Can we deal with whatever happens as it happens if we promise there’s no hating each other?” He was rubbing my knuckles now, and it was making me melt. Ugh! I want to kiss that smug smile right off his face.

When I didn’t immediately answer, he started to say something else, but I surprised him when I spoke up first, “Okay.”

“Really…okay. How about—”

I cut him off and put one finger over his lips. “One condition though… You have to tell August before we go.”

He licked my finger, and I pulled my hand away. “Done! How about tomorrow when we are done with work?” he asked.

It made me happy that he was so excited about a simple date. “I’d like that. What should I wear?”

“You will look beautiful in anything you wear. Whatever you wear to work will be fine.”

I blushed and bit my lip. “Thanks— uh, I mean okay… I’ll see you in the morning for our run, right?”

“Yeah, text me when you’re ready.” I think he forgot he was holding my hand. I had forgotten, too. I craved his touch as soon as he let go.

“Sweet dreams, Songbird.”

LINCOLN

It didn’t even matter that I didn’t sleep well; I woke up feeling excited. I wasn’t quite sure what this date would lead to, but I was excited to find out. This wasn’t going to be one of my ‘go out for drinks and a fuck’ dates. This one was going to be real. I’m not a date type of guy, but with her, I wanted to be different; I wanted to be someone worth knowing for her. Right then, I realized that I hadn’t slept with or even spoken to anyone since I met her. Maybe I was changing for the better. We, of course, have a ton to figure out if this will ever be anything, but I think she’s worth it.

After my run with Aubrey this morning I went to say goodbye to Mom and found Aubrey in the kitchen waiting for me. She held up her finger to signal that she was on the phone. It sounded like her sister was coming to visit soon.

I was staring at her and must have been smiling big because Mom caught me, and I immediately schooled my expression.

Aubrey hung up and then looked over at me. “Hey, I figured we could ride over together since we’re going out later. Is that okay?”

“Uh, yeah. Good idea,” I said.

Mom looked at me curiously. “Where might you two be off to later?”

“Oh, we’re going—” Aubrey started to explain. I’m not sure what she was going to say, but I cut her off,

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