Page 109 of Strictly the Worst

“I don’t need the big bucks.” He stands up, shaking his head. “But it’s good to know where I stand with you.” He picks our empty wine glasses up and stalks over to the kitchen, yanking the dishwasher open.

“I can do that,” I tell him, jumping to my feet and walking over to the kitchen.

“It’s fine,” he says tightly. “I’ve got it.” He slides the glasses inside then adds a tablet, switching the machine on to wash. “I’m heading upstairs. I need to pack for the wedding.”

Oh god, I’d forgotten that we were talking about that before everything went to shit.

“Can’t we talk about this?” I ask him.

He shakes his head. “I need to think. And I need to pack.” He inclines his head at the paused screen of the movie we were watching. “You finish the show. I wasn’t really watching anyway.”

And then he stalks upstairs, leaving me standing open mouthed in his kitchen.

I’ve no idea what just happened, but I think I messed everything up.

LINC

I’m throwing clothes into my suitcase without a real plan for what I’m going to wear. My suit is in a garment bag – thank god I remembered to pick it up from the tailors. I’ve been known to forget about things like tuxes before. The rehearsal dinner tomorrow night will be casual – Holden and Blair are laid back people – and Sunday we’re having a family brunch before everybody goes their separate ways.

Grabbing some socks, I throw them on top of my jeans, then jump out of my damn skin when I see Tessa standing in the doorway.

Her eyes are wide and red-rimmed, like she’s upset.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers, not moving. “I’m scared. Really, really scared.”

Her words surprise me. “What are you scared of?” I ask her. I’m not sure I’ve ever met anybody stronger than this woman. I admire her in every way possible. I’m about a week away from falling in love with her.

Fuck it, I’m already in love with her. My brain just needs to catch up with my heart.

“So many things,” she says softly. “But I’m mostly afraid of being hurt again. Of falling for you. Of losing you. Of not being the independent woman I’ve learned to be. I’m scared that if I admit I don’t want you to go to Paris then this thing between us is serious, and I’m not sure how to deal with that.”

“This thing is serious, Tessa. Don’t you know that already?” I walk over to her, reaching for her hand. It’s so soft against my palm.

“I just… I wasn’t ready for you.” Her chest drops as she exhales. “I wasn’t ready for anybody. It took a long time to heal my heart after my divorce. I don’t know how to make myself vulnerable again.”

She looks so scared I’m worried she might be sick. “Baby…” I pull her into my arms. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“You can’t promise that.” Her voice is soft as I stroke her hair. “Nobody can. And maybe it would be okay if it was just me. But there’s Zoe to think about. She’s been through so much.”

“I get that,” I tell her. “I really do. She’s number one in your life. She should be.”

Her eyes meet mine. “You deserve to be number one in somebody’s life.”

“I’ll take second place if it means I get to be with you.”

She lets out a soft sigh. “Why do you always have to say the sweetest things?”

“Because I mean them. I wouldn’t want to be with somebody who didn’t put their kid first. I’ve been that kid…”

Her face drops. “Oh Linc.”

“It’s okay.” I press my lips against her brow. “But you never have to apologize for protecting Zoe. Hell, I want to protect Zoe. She’s a good kid.”

“She likes you,” Tessa murmurs. “She asks about you every night when I call her. She wants to come here again and play Mario Kart with you.”

My chest tightens. “You have no idea how much I’d like that.”

“Really?” Tessa blinks.

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