Page 80 of Beautiful Exile

“You’d chance fewer donations because you’re shy?” Sam challenged.

I barked out a laugh. “Mr. Levine, I’m a lot of things. Shy isn’t one of them.”

That had him assessing me with new eyes, and I almost cursed. This was why I didn’t like having reporters around. There was always the chance that I’d slip up, and they’d see something they shouldn’t.

“I think Arden has made herself clear.” Linc stepped in, gesturing Sam back toward the doors that led to the gallery.

“Crystal,” Sam said, the single word tight as he sent Linc an annoyed look. “I know the way.”

I sighed as he stalked away. “What is it with grown men having tantrums today?”

Linc wrapped his arms around me. “I don’t know, but I think I’m on that list, too.”

“You?” I asked, tipping my head back.

“Vicious, you’ve ruined me. I think I was jealous of a seven-year-old today.”

A laugh bubbled out of me. “I promise you don’t have to worry about Benny.”

“Losing it over you,” Linc whispered.

I stared up at him, taking that in. Knowing I wasn’t alone helped somehow. “I feel the same way. You freak me out, Lincoln Pierce.”

He grinned down at me. “I’m taking that as a compliment.”

I rolled my eyes. “You would.”

He patted my butt. “Come on. Let’s clean up and get out of here. Otherwise, I’m pretty sure I’m going to deck the next person who’s rude to you, and I don’t need to get sued.”

My lips twitched. “Fair enough.”

We got to work restoring the courtyard to its original glory. It took us over an hour, but doing it together made it fun. By the time we made it to my truck with Brutus in tow, we were both starving. We decided to go for more burgers, and after a pit stop at The Pop, we headed home.

I tried not to let it freak me out that it felt more like home with Linc there. As if he had some sort of grounding force. I shoved all those feelings down and punched in the gate code to Cope’s property before heading toward the guesthouse. “I need to check one thing in my studio.”

It was a lie. I just needed a minute to catch my breath and still my rapidly beating heart.

“Sure,” Linc said easily. “I can get dinner set up.”

It was so normal. So not me.

“Okay,” I said. “The code’s the same.” I didn’t want to look too closely at the fact that I hadn’t changed it after the night he’d stayed on my couch, or that I felt comfortable with him having it.

I pulled to a stop between the house and the workshop. Linc slid out and whistled to Brutus. “You wanna come with me, boy? I’ve got your burger.”

Brutus looked between us, and I smiled at him. “Go on.”

I watched as they headed for my house. They fit, the two of them. And they were clearly fond of each other. That only made me more nervous.

It was as if I was at war with myself, wanting more yet being terrified of it.

I headed for the studio. I’d just take a second, a moment to reel it all in and stuff it away until I could paint it all out. Punching in the code, I stepped inside and flicked on the light.

I froze. Not a single breath or movement. Maybe my heart stopped, too.

And then I screamed.

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