Page 48 of Roses in Summer

“Why, Seraphina? Are you afraid to be alone with me?”

I jump at Lincoln’s voice. “Of course not,” I squeak.

I am a liar.

“So why don’t you turn around and face me?”

“Eggs. Mmm,” I offer, quickly picking up my fork and shoving another large bite into my mouth.

I don’t have to look at Lincoln to know he’s probably rolling his eyes. A hand touches my shoulder, spinning my body on the swivel stool until my back is against the countertop. As soon as I’m facing him, his hand drops, and he steps back, putting space between us.

“You’re full of shit; Ava makes a lot of things well, but her eggs are always overcooked and too cheesy.”

I swallow my bite, running my tongue along my front teeth to make sure there are no bits of food stuck in them before I speak. “She makes eggs the way my mom makes them.”

“They’re horrible.”

I can’t help the small laugh that escapes my lips. “Don’t let her hear you say that. You know how she gets.”

He hums in response as his eyes wander over my face. “It’s good to see you again, Seraphina.” I don’t miss how he’s calling me Seraphina and not ciern.

“You saw me last night.”

He clears his throat, looking away at my words. “Listen, about Gemma. I wanted to apologize for—”

“Please don’t,” I cut him off, holding up a hand to silence him. “She seems really nice, and she’s beautiful. You worked with her at Garganello’s, didn’t you? Sorry I ran off last night, I wasn’t feeling well. A stomach ache, you know?” I cringe at the words leaving my mouth.

“Seraphina, Gemma isn’t—”

I interrupt him again, not willing to hear whatever words are about to come out of his mouth. “Oh, she’s not the same girl that you worked with? That’s crazy. Two Gemmas in your life? What are the odds? Anyway, it was great to see you again. I’m so happy that you’re doing what you love. And—”

“Jesus, Seraphina. Will you stop interrupting me and let me talk?” My eyes widen at his tone, my words dying as his voice booms out in the kitchen.

“Sorry,” I offer, looking down at my hands in my lap. Because I’m not looking at his beautiful face, I miss the hand that sneaks out, cupping my jaw to raise my eyes back to his. My lips part, and I release a breath as I meet his bright green stare.

“I forgot how much you like to ramble, ciern. What I was saying is that Gemma isn’t—”

The sound of the sliding door opening stops Lincoln, forcing him to drop his hand as we look toward the door. “Are you ready to go, Ser? I need to go to the sorority house to help with some of the recruitment prep.” Bianca rolls her eyes, clearly annoyed by the responsibility.

“Sure,” I nod, risking a glance at Lincoln as I slide down the stool. “Let’s clean off the plates for Ava before we go.”

“I’ve got it, Seraphina.”

“Lincoln, it’s okay,” I shake my head, turning around to reach for the plate. My movements still as Lincoln’s hand closes around my wrist.

“I’ve got it,” He murmurs the words into my ear, and suddenly, my lungs are filled with his masculine scent, my body on fire from his lingering touch. I want to turn my body and walk into his, fling my arms around his waist, and bury my nose in his t-shirt to absorb him.

But I don’t, because he has a girlfriend.

Instead, I nod and step to the side, allowing Lincoln’s hand to fall from my wrist. “Thanks. We’ll see you around?”

Lincoln nods, offering me silent confirmation that I will, in fact, see him around.

“Right, well, B, are you ready?”

“Uhhuh,” she grunts as I turn and race out of the kitchen, not bothering to yell goodbye as I powerwalk through the front hallway and out of the townhouse.

It’s not until we’re in my car, buckled and driving back toward our apartment, that Bianca breaks the silence.

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