Page 107 of Pieces of Us

‘He’s coming, honey,’ Dad says, ducking his head out the glass window. Teetering on my heels, I make my way back inside. It’s as if the Red Sea is parting for Jesus the way the room separates to let me walk in. I am used to the stares, but honestly, I just want to feel normal tonight, and let Lincoln shine for his monumental achievement. He’s coming in with Uncle Jacob, who helped me tee up the surprise. Mum is talking to Lily, Rome and Jas. She picked me up from the airport and we were practically inseparable all afternoon. I am beyond thrilled she’s here. Her and Dad look good together. I can’t help but root for them. They’re both my favourite people and have a lot of love for each other. I plan to interrogate both of them while I’m here.

To my delight, Ella is here too. I assume the rest of her colleagues are, but she isn’t standing with them. She’s talking to my friends and family. When she spots me, she breaks away from the mini group and comes over for a hug. I’ve missed her effervescent personality, squeezing her to me.

‘I can’t believe you’re here,’ she swoons, with a dreaminess in her eyes as if this is the most romantic gesture she’s ever witnessed. I laugh at how over the top she is. I hope the light is never snuffed out of her because I loved how she still believes in love.

‘How’s the marketing world going?’ She shrugs.

‘So, so.’ She rolls her eyes. ‘I think my boss is trying to get with Lincoln’s dad.’ I don’t miss how slightly annoyed she is.

‘Oh?’ After losing Lincoln’s mum, he’s never been quite the same. He’s caring and nurturing with us kids, but when it comes to women, I’d say they’re somewhat disposable to him. Of course, we’re always shielded from that part of his life, but rumours are rumours, and we’ve heard them all.

‘Yeah, whatever.’ I snort at her obvious irritation. I think—no, I know—she has a crush on Uncle Jacob, and as much as I think she’s a delicious little fairy, I also don’t want her getting involved with someone whose heart is unavailable. ‘She’s not his type anyway.’ Her folded arms across her chest reek defensiveness.

‘Oh?’ I am baiting her, watching her become more and more worked up over him. ‘What’s his type?’

‘Not her.’ I laugh. ‘Does someone have a little crush on Uncle Jakey?’ I side hug her.

‘Ew, don’t call him that. It’s weird.’ I giggle harder.

‘I’m used to girls going all starry eyed over him and Dad. This is nothing new.’ She slightly stiffens under my touch.

‘Like lots of girls?’ Her crestfallen face tells me she’s saddened by what I’ve said. I don’t want to be the one who wipes the smile off her face, so I backtrack and try to downplay it.

‘A few chicks in high school. No one to worry about.’ This brings the shine back to her eyes.

‘I can’t wait for the tour. Everything looks amazing.’ My eyes wander around the open foyer that we’re standing in, and even without seeing the rest of the home, this structure is definitely the pièce de résistance.

When the door clicks open, I catch my breath. I’m in the front of the pack, so there’s no way he can miss me. As he strolls in, he’s not really paying attention to the people milling around. For him, this is just another work event.

His attention is rapt on his dad, who is holding onto a stack of folders. Both of them exude power. I can tell by looking at Linc, that he’s the face of the future for this company, and it’s clear everyone knows it by how talented he is.

While Uncle Jake is in a light grey suit, with a pale blue shirt, Lincoln is the complete opposite in a black suit. Instead of a tie, he’s opened the top couple of buttons of his crisp white shirt. It makes me smile fondly, remembering what a rule breaker he was at school with his disdain for ties. He said they choked him, but often made suggestive comments about better uses for them when we were dating, like tying me up with it, blindfolding me, or gagging me. It’s a damn shame he isn’t wearing one tonight to enact some of those fantasies.

A raucous applause rings around the room, my own hands joining in. It’s only then that he glances up, quickly scanning the room. I see his gaze pass over me and then straight away land back on mine as he does a double take. It takes a couple of seconds for him to really register that I’m here.

Without saying a word, he strides forward and snatches me up, swallowing my mouth whole. My arms automatically wrap around his neck as I eagerly return his kiss. It’s like I’ve been wandering the desert for days and it’s only now I’m quenching my thirst. Holding my waist tight, I feel both of us pouring every bit of love and affection for each other into our passionate embrace.

There’s faint wolf whistles and laughs around us, which we ignore. What we don’t ignore is the clearing of two throats beside us. We both fly apart remembering both our parents are here. Mum is smirking while both Dad and Uncle Mark are scowling in disapproval.

‘Real professional, son,’ he grumbles. ‘You have your speech to make, the tour, and a few interviews, then she’s all yours.’ Uncle Jacob tears me away from Linc, pulling me into a hug. ‘How is my girl?’ he asks, kissing my forehead.

I pout. ‘A little disappointed you pulled me away from your son, but I’ll forgive you if you tell me that my home is nearly ready?’ Before I left, the draft plans were approved, and we were beginning to transfer them over to Dad’s team for building.

‘Firstly, that’s your dad’s territory, and secondly, give us a moment to get used to the both of you…doing what you were doing. You were just kids the last time, and in our minds it was wholly innocent. I don’t want to imagine anything has changed.’

I giggle at how protective and uncomfortable he is, going up on my tippy toes to give his cheek a kiss.

‘I’ll be back soon, Hart.’ Linc reluctantly leaves to do his thing. I can see how completely in his element he is, so assured and knowledgeable in what he’s created around him. His speech almost brings me to tears when he thanks our fathers for believing in him and encouraging him. Then he steals my breath with his next confession.

‘There’s one last person I need to thank for making me who I am today. It’s someone I’m sure everyone is familiar with. She’s known to the world as Amity Hartford, but to me, she’s always been my Hart. If it wasn’t for you, baby, who knows where I’d be? Not many people know this, but the first home I drew was our future home, when we were just teenagers. I sketched it on the back of a napkin at one of the open homes our dads dragged us to.’ This elicits a few laughs around us, but my heart is pounding in my chest, and I couldn’t speak or move if I wanted to. ‘It was the first home I fell in love with. It ignited that itch in my soul to create homes that would make people’s dreams come true, and it encouraged me to never give up on creating perfection. Every time I wanted to give up, I looked at that napkin that sits inside the photo frame on my desk, and it centred me. Having you here tonight feels like my life has come full circle. It means so much that you’re here.’ My sight becomes foggy as tears cover my eyes. It’s such a sweet declaration that he didn’t need to do on his night, but he did. He made me a part of this special evening for him.

Once all the formalities are over, everyone follows him as he takes us on a tour. I am bewildered by his talent. The roster of amenities are endless, but highlighting my top features is the 40m infinity pool that I’ve had the pleasure of already seeing and the seven bedrooms, each one more spectacular than the last. He saves the best for last—the master bedroom, featuring an oversized walk-in closet, and a marble-clad bathroom. There is also access to a secluded outdoor spa. Images of us fucking in there infiltrate my mind, but I have to remember this wasn’t our home.

Eventually, he sits down with industry experts and the media to answer any technical questions about the home.

‘So, things are going well then?’ I am squished between Mum and Dad, which is so rare, considering the very few times in my life we are altogether.

‘Yeah.’ I blush at how well they’ve been going. Mum winks while Dad groans.

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