Page 46 of Firefly Effect

I’m almost surprised when Lincoln finally looks up from the grill and spots me. His eyes widen, and he says something to Lilith before handing her the spatula and walking away. Her confused expression becomes layered with anger as she watches him head toward me.

I turn my eyes away from her and focus on Lincoln just in time.

He smiles at me. “You made it.”

I lift my hands and drop them by my sides, his proximity a welcome relief. “I did.” I make a sweeping look around. “Looks like a success so far.”

He runs a hand through his hair, not looking convinced. “You think? There are so many people here—it’s hard to make sure everyone is doing okay.”

“Trust me,” I tell him with a smile, “as someone who runs a bar, it’s not your job to make sure everyone is okay. You provided a free waterpark, for goodness’ sake. I see a bounce house and food. I also hear there’s booze. You did good.”

My hand finds his arm, my intention an innocent one meant to comfort, but it turns into something completely different when my fingers span his bicep and feel just how solid and thick it is. I drop my hand, my cheeks burning.

His amused eyes search mine. “Thank you. Lucy will be very happy to know you made it.”

“I’m sure she won’t even notice me with all her friends here. Or my present.”

His eyes twinkle. “Just your presence is present enough.”

A laugh bursts free as I grin at him. “You’re so cheesy.”

He shrugs. “I’m a dad. Dad jokes are supposed to be cheesy.”

Biting down on my lip, I assess him once more, his beautiful green eyes illuminated by the sun and completely mesmerizing. “You have a good point.”

He leans in closer, placing a hand on the curve of my waist while his beard tickles my cheek. “I’m happy you’re here. That’s all that matters, right?”

My heart leaps into my throat. Pinching a piece of his shirt fabric between my knuckles in a gesture to keep him close, I slowly shake my head. His beard scratches against my skin, and my pussy quivers with need. Fuck me.

“Lucy handed me the invitation. Not you,” I tease.

Lincoln presses his lips to my ear. “Only because Officer Gabe was standing right there. I’m a patient man, Evie, but you should know I have very little restraint when I’m near you. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Is that another warning?”

He leans back, squeezing my waist before dropping his hand completely. “I’d say it’s more like a promise.”

After Lincoln and I part ways, it doesn’t take long for Lucy to spot me. She darts over and wraps her arms around my legs, soaking the bottom of my swim cover-up with cold water. I laugh. Her excitement is infectious, her joy breathtaking. I lean down to give her a proper hug, happy the invitation warned of water activities.

“Thank you for inviting me to your party, Lucy. Are you having the best time?”

She nods eagerly before staring back at me with curious eyes. “Did you bring your swimsuit?”

“I did.”

Popping onto her toes, she grabs my hand. “Let’s go play!”

And so it begins, the four-year-old birthday party that I’ve now joined in every way, from tossing myself down the Slip ‘N Slide to stomping around the splash pad to jumping in the bounce house. Unlike most of the other women at the party, I keep my cover-up on. No one else seems to mind, and the kids don’t seem to care, but it feels slightly more appropriate than strutting around in a yellow bikini, the only bathing suit I own.

Even Lincoln takes his shirt off at some point to join in the fun, which slightly unsettles me for purely jealous reasons. There isn’t a single shy eye in the yard as the women ogle his ripped body. He seems oblivious to the attention, his focus on Lucy with the occasional glance in my direction. He seems to always know where I am, our eyes connecting and holding for just long enough to awaken new flutters in my chest.

As the last hour of the party rolls around, the cake is served and Lucy dives into opening her presents, while Lincoln makes it a point to stick by my side. And when the first person makes a move to leave, I take it as my cue to go, too, but Lincoln looks me dead in the eye and mouths, “Stay.”

It’s a command, one I’m more than happy to oblige. I start helping Francine clean up, gathering empty cups, plates, plasticware, and wrapping paper from the backyard. Soon Lincoln and Lucy come out back to join us, but instead of cleaning, Lucy takes off for the kiddie pool, so Lincoln follows close behind.

I smile, watching them out of the corner of one eye while picking up random trash left in the yard. Francine piles a tray full of the leftovers, condiments, and unused plasticware, and takes it into the back door that leads to the kitchen.

“I’ll get the rest of it,” Lincoln calls out to me, waving a hand. “Grab a drink and join us.” He grins, squinting from the sun.

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