Page 106 of Good Girl's Guide to Love
“This is Linc. Would you like to tell him why you sent his girlfriend flowers today and stalked her into a parking garage? Or should I?”
Jonathan’s eyes narrow as he contemplates his answer. “I’m not giving up, Ainsley.”
“You should,” I say as I hit the accept button for the FaceTime call. “Hey, babe. How are you?”
I hold the phone up, but I’m not looking directly at him. But I can tell he’s a little confused, because in the nearly two monthswe’ve been together—real and fake—I don’t think I’ve ever called him “babe.”
“Still at work? I figured I’d catch you on the drive.”
I don’t reply yet, making sure I keep an eye on Jonathan as he slowly retreats to the elevator. Once he’s in and I see the lights start moving, I finally let out a breath.
“Baby? You okay? What’s going on?”
“Jonathan,” I say as I hurry and throw my things in my backseat before I tear out of the parking garage. And by tear I mean going five more miles over the speed limit with my seatbelt securely fastened.
“What the fuck do you mean,Jonathan?”
I try to slow my heart rate down, because the more I’m worked up, the more I’m going to work up Linc. And considering he’s in Chicago right now, worrying about me the night before a game is the last thing he needs to do.
I shake my head as I pull to a stop light. “I’m fine. Just a little shook up.”
“You’re more than shook up, but I don’t want you telling me all of this while you’re driving.”
“Okay. I’ll call you back when I get to my apartment?”
I see him shaking his head. “Absolutely not. I’m staying right here. And I’m just going to sit with you so I know you get home safe.”
I nod and feel tears starting to form in my eyes, the adrenaline wearing off as I make the fifteen-minute drive from the hospital to my apartment. I have my phone on a dock, so I give a few glances to Linc, who’s lying on a bed in his hotel room. What I wouldn’t give to be driving to him tonight, knowing that his touch would be the exact cure to wipe away thoughts of this insane day.
What is Jonathan’s deal? Yes, he’s never been one to get the hint. The relief I felt when he moved to San Antonio wasimmense. But this seems extreme, even for him. Mia wanted me to file for a restraining order before he moved. Maybe it’s time I consider it.
Luckily, the drive home is quick tonight, and I’m walking to my apartment before I know it. Linc hasn’t said anything, and even it’s just through the phone, I do feel more relaxed knowing he’s with me.
“Okay, I’m here,” I say, literally dropping all of my water bottles and my bag onto the floor as soon as I walk in. My tennis shoes are off just as quickly as I physically fall into my couch.
“Are you okay?”
He already asked me that, but I can tell by the worried look in his eyes he needs confirmation. “I’m fine. Just…I don’t know. Something is up.”
I go on to recount the day—well, the parts involving Jonathan. With each detail, his face gets redder. A vein in his neck starts to pulse, and while it’s slightly sexy, I’m more worried that I’m about to give this poor man a stroke.
“I’m going to kill him, Ainsley,” he says. “Contract or not, I’m going to fucking kill him.”
“While I appreciate your willingness to give up your career in my honor, let’s try and make it not come to that,” I say. “But I do think I need to go to human resources about this on Monday.”
“You absolutely are,” he says. “And I’m going with you.”
“Linc, you don’t have to do that.”
“I know. I want to.”
The seriousness and worried look in his eyes hits me in the heart. “Okay. Thank you. And thank you for staying on the phone with me.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I’m glad I called when I did. I’m also proud of you. Standing up to him like that? That took balls, Ainsley Mae.”
“Thanks,” I say with a shrug, like it’s not a big deal. Even though now that I think about it, it was a big deal. “It was a scary situation, and I was more confused than anything. But telling him off? That felt pretty freaking good.”
“Damn right it did.”
