“That bad?”
My head jerked up and toward the door. Lincoln leaned against it, watching me.
“Hey, you’re home early.” I smiled as he walked over.
“Hmm, that sounds good.”
“Me telling you’re home early…?”
“Hearing your voice as soon as I get home. Seeing you. Having you here.”
I grinned like a fool as I shuffled in the chair to give him space. We’d been back from his island for a few days now, and we’d gotten even closer. I didn’t even contemplate the idea of another hotel. I liked being this close to him, seeing his face first thing in the morning and the last thing before bed. Maybe we were moving too fast… or maybe not, because we had a history. It all felt natural.
I put my laptop on the table beside the lounge, and he scooped up my legs to place them over his thighs. Lincoln’s hand slid gently along my calf, his thumb tracing slow, comforting circles.
“You looked stressed,” he said, voice low and concerned.
I exhaled, leaning back into the cushions. “A little. Without the backing of The Springfield Sentinel, there’s no room for mistakes. One error, one misstep, and I’m done. No second chances in this industry—especially not for someone who’s already been told she’s reaching too high.”
His brows drew together, but he didn’t interrupt.
“I’m more determined than ever to go ahead with the project,” I continued. “I have enough to build something real. But I need to wrap up my current job first. The feature onJaden is coming to an end. Once that’s done…” I paused, my voice sharpening with resolve. “I’m going for Silas Rourke’s and Dorian Vauxhall’s necks.”
Lincoln tensed beneath me. His hand stilled.
“Did you say Silas Rourke?”
My gaze zeroed in on his face when I heard the shift in his tone. “Yeah. I forgot to mention the name of the link Alex found, didn’t I? We were too busy having such a great time on your island. Do you know him?”
He didn’t answer right away. His jaw flexed, eyes narrowing slightly as if he were sorting through his thoughts. “I do,” he finally said. “I’m curious to know what you’ve found.”
His tone and expression were a tad concerning. “Is something wrong, Lincoln? Are you still worried about my safety?”
“I’m always worried about your safety.” He gave me a quick kiss on the lips and gently set my feet back down. “I’m going to whip something up for dinner. As you’ve learned, I’m a pretty decent cook.”
I smiled. He was indeed, and I was pleasantly surprised. “No, I’ll do that. You’ve been at the office all day.”
“Investigating shady people is hard work. You look exhausted.”
I truly was. Who knew diving into the underground of criminal organisations could be so draining? Honestly, I didn’t know how Alex did it. He’d gone pretty much to the pit of hell to get me information.
“It’s up to me to feed my woman,” he drawled.
“Ugh, you are freaking perfect.”
The smug smirk that lit up his face made me chuckle. As I watched him disappear back inside, I couldn’t help thinking:so this is what a healthy relationship looks like?I had never experienced this with the man I almost married. Who knew I’dfind this contentment with myex-boyfriend? I smiled and shook my head at the irony.
My steps were slow and reluctant as I walked toward my rental. I’d shown up at the stadium to watch one of Jaden’s training sessions and to say a temporary goodbye. I’d be back in LA whether my boss approved my pitch or not—I’d try to convince him one more time.
Plus, I’d promised Jaden and the entire team that I’d be at their first game of the Super Bowl season. Still, it had tugged at my heartstrings to leave. I never imagined I’d get so emotionally invested in Jaden Cole, a rising NFL star. Jaden wasn’t just a story anymore. After spending so much time with him, he was family. Plus, he held a special place in my heart for being my firstrealjournalistic piece with the Sentinel.
Lincoln had shown up midway through the practice to give Jaden some news. I hadn’t asked what. But I left him inside because I wanted to get back to his place early to put the finishing touches on the feature.
I was just reaching my car when a voice stopped me dead in my tracks.
“Ava.”
As usual, the sound of it made my pulse spike and the hairs on my arms stand up. What the hell was he still doing here? I had assumed Derek had left LA when I ghosted him for that dinner date and ignored all his calls.
