Page 25 of Where We Found Our Home
“What do you have planned for them tomorrow night?”
“Jada will most definitely have our asses playing every board game known to man, so that will probably take up a good portion of the night. Logan will probably have his face buried in a book for the rest of the night, so it’ll be low-key.”
“That’s the best kind of night in my opinion.”
“You would think that, Loner Girl.”
I throw a rag at her head. “I’m not a loner.”
“You’re kind of a loner. Nothing wrong with that. It just means when you do allow people into your circle, they’ve truly earned their place there. Except me—I just steamrolled my way in because that’s what I do. You have no choice but to stan for me.”
I had to come to this city and befriend the pushiest bitches in existence. Then again, look at the friends I left behind. This is very on-brand for me.
“You have steamrolled me, one graphic tee at a time.”
“That’s the name of the game. You ready to get back out there?” she asks.
One deep breath. Two deep breaths. Three deep breaths. Let’s do this. “Let’s go.”
I spend the rest of my shift channeling the sexual energy from Lincoln into my work. I am Ciara, queen of the taps and bottles, and these boozehounds need their queen to sit on her throne.
Usually at the end of my shift, I ask Frankie to walk me to my car so that I’m not alone, but tonight my lady parts have me doing something very stupid.
I tap him on the shoulder before I lose my nerve. Lincoln spins around, and I speak before he can trap me in his gaze. “Hey there, so since you’ve done nothing but watch my ass all night, I’m willing to bet I’m the reason you came tonight, which means the least you can do is walk me to my car.” I crook my fingers, say good night to Isaiah, and walk away without waiting to see if he follows. I know he will.
I have no idea who this bold woman is who says shit like that to men. Actually, I do. She’s me. The me I used to be before these last two years stripped me of my very essence. I’ve been finding her again slowly—piece by piece—since being in this city and especially since spending time with Lincoln, his family, and Nina. I know it’s incredibly stupid and reckless to trust it, but I have missed this version of myself, and I’m not quite ready to let her go again.
“You are trouble.” He does a quick jog to catch up to me.
“Oh, you have no idea.”
“Okay, quick question. Don’t think about it, just answer. Would you rather be magical but live on Earth or live in a magical land but be normal?”
A surprised laugh falls from my lips because I was not expecting that to be his question, but I’m relieved. “Hmmm. Well, no one wants to be the Argus Filch surrounded by the magic that is Hogwarts, so I’m gonna say magical but live on Earth.”
“Okay. I like it.”
“Okay, my turn. Would you rather have an abnormally big toe or an abnormally big ear?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “Oh, that’s easy. An abnormally big ear. I already got big-ass feet. I don’t need to size up to a damn size fifteen shoe trying to fit my big-ass toe in there. I’m cool with a big-ass ear; it would give me character.”
Size fifteen shoes. Gulp.
Before long, we’ve reached my car, and Lincoln holds the door open for me after I unlock it.
“Thank you, Linc.” I get in the driver’s seat but make no moves to shut the door. Lincoln places one hand on the roof of my car then lightly grabs my wrist and rubs his thumb over my pulse point.
“One more question. Don’t think, just answer.”
“Okay.”
“Will you go out on a date with me?”
Fuck.Everything in me wants to say yes. I want to go on a date with him. I want more than a date. I want him to touch me…everywhere. But there’s only so much recklessness I can allow. It’s one thing to hang out with him as a friend and exchange flirty banter, but crossing that line puts him in more danger.
I take a deep breath and give him the only answer I can.
“No.”
