Page 690 of Not Over You

“Me neither.”

I cuddled up next to him, placing my hand on his chest. He kissed the top of my head and draped his arm around me, pulling me against him.

We stared up at the stars in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Lincoln rubbed my arm. “We should get going. Don’t want to get caught out here again.”

We dressed then packed up all the stuff from the picnic and headed back to the boat. As Lincoln loaded everything up, I stared back at the lighthouse shining overhead, not ready to leave. I felt at peace on the isolated island, the stresses that plagued me daily left behind on the mainland.

Lincoln tugged at my hand. “Ready to go?”

I sighed, moving my gaze from the lighthouse to his face. He looked so handsome bathed in the moonlight. “Not really. I love it here.”

He smiled, rubbing his thumb along the back of my hand. “I’ll bring you back here soon. I promise.”

I nodded, finally stepping in the boat.

“Thank you for tonight,” I said once we were coasting on the water.

Lincoln reached over and squeezed my thigh. “My pleasure.”

After docking his skiff back in its spot at the marina, Lincoln drove me back to my hotel. When he pulled up in front, he looked over at me and smiled. “Same time tomorrow?”

I nodded even though a knot formed in my stomach at the thought of facing his parents. How was I supposed to apologize for robbing them of their granddaughter?

Lincoln leaned over and kissed me good night before I got out of the truck. I waved as he drove away, then went into the hotel lobby.

When I got to my room, I went straight for the shower. I had sand everywhere from our little escapade, and I wasn’t about to get sand in the bed.

By the time I laid in bed, it was almost midnight. Groaning, I closed my eyes, pretending I didn’t have to get up in six hours.

I managed to get to work on time even though I’d barely slept. Thoughts of dinner with Lincoln’s parents plagued me throughout the night, and I tossed and turned with anxiety.

The day seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, five o’clock had rolled around. I wanted to make a good impression at dinner, so I didn’t stay late at the lab and went straight back to the hotel to get ready.

I curled my hair and applied some neutral makeup. I didn’t want to look too overdone, but I also didn’t want to look like I hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in days, even if that were the truth.

I wore a modest black and white polka-dot dress and flats, something that I’d wear to church if I still attended, then waited for Lincoln to pick me up.

Lincoln tried to make small talk on the way to dinner, but I was too nervous to really carry on a conversation.

As we pulled in the dirt drive to Lincoln’s childhood home, I felt like throwing up. I wasn’t sure I could even look Lincoln’s parents in the eye, let alone talk to them.

“Hey.” Lincoln reached over and grabbed my hand. “You okay? You’ve barely said two words since I picked you up.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and gave him a quick nod. “Just nervous.”

He squeezed my hand. “Don’t be. I already talked to them and let them know where I stood. They know if they don’t accept us, there’ll be hell to pay.”

I playfully rolled my eyes. “I’m sure you laid down the law, especially with your mom.”

“There’s the sarcastic girl I know and love.”

I chuckled. “Let’s hurry up and get this over with. I need those drinks like yesterday.”

Lincoln mock saluted me. “Yes, ma’am.”

He hopped out of the truck, then came around and opened my door. As he helped me out, he gave me a quick kiss on the nose. “Thank you.”

I smiled up at him. “For what?”

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