Page 90 of Meant for Me
She inhaled. Once again, that was as good as it was going to get with them. And she had to be okay with that—because she’d known all along exactly what she was getting. And painful as it was, she still didn’t consider it a short stick.
Maybe that’s what love did.
Painful as it was.
But maybe she could get a little something from it. She tucked deeper into his jacket, fisting the collar in both hands. “If you feel like you owe me, how about telling me about that tattoo you got removed?” She teasingly arched a brow.
He groaned. “Seriously?”
“Hey, I didn’t even know you grew up in the system until a few weeks ago.” She tilted her head. “Or that you’d been arrested before.”
“Or had a kid. I know, the surprises keep coming.” He scuffed one shoe across the dock. “Though to be fair, one of those I didn’t know either.”
She stepped toward him, tugged at the white dress shirt he’d untucked at some point after they got home. “Tell me.”
He didn’t stop her from lifting the hem, running her finger over the healed, slightly scarred skin on his lower ribcage. His corded side shuddered. Must be ticklish—she never knew that either. And all of that was what hurt the most—that she didn’t know him as well as she assumed.
That maybe she wasn’t as special to him as she’d hoped.
Zoey looked up at him just as he looked down. Their gazes tangled. “It was something to do with Kirsten, wasn’t it?”
He blew out his breath. “I was young and dumb. Got her initials. She was supposed to get mine too, but chickened out.”
Ah. Zoey touched the mottled spot with renewed interest. He’d cared enough about Kirsten to do something like that. Surprisingly, the fact didn’t make her jealous. It just confirmed what she knew deep down—despite his reputation and shell, Linc loved hard.
And when he committed, he went all in.
His voice deepened. “Should have taken the hint that day, but didn’t.”
“Did it hurt?”
“Hurt worse removing the tat than getting it.” He made no move to lower his shirt, and for the life of her, she couldn’t stop touching him. This link to his past, this chain that had brought Amelia to them. Brought their new family together in the most unlikely way imaginable.
She swallowed. “I think it’s beautiful.”
Linc frowned, tugged the hem down. “Funny.”
“No, I’m serious.” Zoey stepped back, clutched his jacket around her shoulders. “Scars are stories. They show where we’ve been.”
“To hell and back.” His expression tightened.
“And look where you are now.” She couldn’t stand it any longer, had to touch him again. She took his hand, and he didn’t pull away. “You’re adad.”
“More like half a dad.” Linc swallowed. “I missed so much.”
“You’re doing all you can now, and that’s what matters. Amelia sees that, whether she’ll admit it yet or not.” She squeezed his hand. “You’re showing up. You’re taking care of her.”
He glanced toward the house, mostly dark save for an upstairs light. “You really think she understands?”
“If she doesn’t, she will.” Zoey squeezed his hand. “It just might take a little more time.”
“I’m afraid that’s what I don’t have. Kirsten could dump this latest loser and show back up, want to go back to normal with her kid.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Is it weird that Amelia is still distant with me, but the very thought of her going back to Lafayette rips me apart?”
“See? Youarea good father.” The jacket slipped from one shoulder. “Not weird at all. Those are your protective dad instincts coming out.”
He grew quiet, lips pressed together. His hand shook a little, and he used his free one to pull the jacket back up around her. One corner of his mouth curved up, his eyes surprisingly gentle. “What would I do without you?”
Zoey looked down at their joined hands. “Eat less fast food?”
