Page 30 of Forever After All

“Fine. I’ll ask her. But it’s not because you told me to. It’s because I want to.”

“Whatever floats your boat, cowboy,” Stella said with a wave as she walked off.

Good grief, that woman was determined. It was a good thing he didn’t have a mother. Stella might just push her to the side and demand the title.

Jess was already getting to her feet when he made it back to the table. “Please dance with me,” Linc said, offering her his hand.

“You took the words right out of my mouth.”

Jess took his hand, and her small fingers slid perfectly between his. He’d only been thinking about leading her through the crowd of people, but the way she clung to him was better than he could have imagined.

When they were lost in the sea of people, Linc turned to face her. Jess rested her hand on his shoulder and took his hand in the other.

Linc put his hand on her waist. He’d made a point to keep his hands to himself in the past, but Jess didn’t seem to mind the contact.

It was a good thing because his palm might be forever glued to the soft curve of her waist.

“Did Stella boss you into something?” Jess asked.

Linc bit the inside of his cheek as he contemplated his answer. “She tried.”

“She’ll manage your whole life if you let her,” Jess said with a grin.

“Trust me, I know.” Though, he couldn’t help but wonder if her way was the right way. She had a good forty years on him. Maybe she was older and wiser.

Stella didn’t understand the precarious line he walked around Jess. One wrong step, and his whole world could come crashing down.

Jess spotted Ben and Abby dramatizing a slow dance on the other side of the room. “Those two are so happy. I kinda wish I had that.”

“Had what? Kids?” Had they jumped topics and he hadn’t realized?

“No, that carefree joy.”

“They’re kids. They’re supposed to be like that.”

Jess looked up at him. “I wasn’t like that. Ever.”

Her words brought up the few things she’d mentioned about her childhood, and Linc’s hand tightened on her waist without his consent. “Are you happy now?”

“I am, but I still never look giddy or smiley like some people.”

“You don’t have to,” Linc said. “Just be you.”

“But everyone is always asking me why I look mad and what I’m upset about.”

“Who cares what they think?”

Jess shrugged. “I’ve been told Ishouldcare what people think.”

“Don’t change. You’re perfect the way you are.”

Jess stared up at him for half a second, and panic rooted in his stomach. He’d said too much, and she was going to backpedal.

Instead of putting distance between them, she rested her head on his chest and whispered, “Thanks.”

“Jess?” a man’s voice said beside them.

Linc looked over as the guy smiled at Jess.

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