“But we have to leave it alone for now. If we act all that interested, someone will take notice. Be patient. Trust me.”
I nodded. God help me, but I did trust him, and I didn’t know how I got there.
17
AVA
Lincoln was quiet the entire way back to the hotel. You could almost see the tension vibrating off him. I spent the entire ride debating whether I should bring up what I saw and what he heard at the party. However, part of me was reluctant to. His silence had me wondering if he was going to back out of helping me.
Maybe he had reconsidered. Maybe I wasn’t worth the trouble. Lincoln had connections and friendships to maintain in the celebrity world after all. I felt guilty about putting him in a tough spot.
By the time we reached the hotel and walked through the lobby, I could barely keep my composure. I wanted to demand that he tell me why he was so broody. At my door, I searched for my keycard while I formulated the right words.
Unlocking my door, I thought I’d just get the conversation over with. I’d tell him he was off the hook. There was no need for him to help me and put himself at risk.
Tuning to face him, ready to let him go, I began, “Look, Lincoln…”
“We have to help that girl.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Phoenix.” He combed his fingers through his hair, wearing the same troubled expression I had when I saw Phoenix's interaction with that man.
“Oh…” That was the last thing I expected to hear. “I thought…”
His eyes met mine. “You thought what?”
“You were going to say you’re done. That this is too much.”
“I meant it when I said I wanted to help. I’ll help anyone who needs it.”
I inhaled and let it out slowly. My fingers curled around the edge of the door, trying to ground myself. My emotions were in a frenzy—resentment, relief, guilt, longing, confusion… they all surged through me.
I was supposed to resent him. That was the deal I made with myself when he completely broke me by walking away. But now, there he was, not just helping with something important to me, but also showing me that he was the same person I fell in love with. That stand-up, protective guy I once counted on. Money and fame hadn’t changed him.
“Oh… Okay. Well, then… thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me for doing the right thing, Ava.”
“I feel the need to say it. I don’t want…”
His jaw tightened, and his brow furrowed. “What? You don’t want to owe me anything?”
My gaze skated away from him. I didn’t want to feel indebted to my ex.
He took a step closer and then another.
The proximity made my heart slam against my rib cage.
“I hate that I hurt you,” he said. “And now you don’t trust me.”
My breath caught in my throat. “Let’s not do this now.”
“Then when?”
Never. I wanted to just… forget. Although my effort to do that over the years had been futile.
“Ava, I’m sorry.”
