That maybe we could create it together.
“Not just me,” I murmured. “Us.”
Lincoln held my gaze, all his usual teasing gone. I didn’t say the words that were bubbling up in my throat, but maybe he heard them anyway.
I want this life, and I want it with you.
Harper smiled, flipping the page. “Let’s shift to the two of you.”
Fuck. This was it. This was what this all hinged on—our fake marriage and hoping like hell Harper bought that it was real.
Lincoln slid his hand up my thigh and gave it a small squeeze. A silentI’ve got you.
Harper’s tone was light, but her gaze was razor-sharp. “When did you know this was the person you wanted to build a life with?”
Lincoln laughed under his breath and leaned back on the stool, the picture of ease. “I think I was about fourteen.”
I snorted and turned to him with a raised brow. “Pretty sure you were also fourteen when you locked a rooster in my room and gave me a very loud, very annoying wake-up call.”
With a grin, he just shrugged, completely unrepentant. “I contain multitudes, wife. You know this.”
Harper chuckled under her breath. “And you, Willa?”
I hesitated. “Probably when he read my favorite book, even though it’s not his preferred genre.”
He grinned. “Oh, it’sdefinitelymy preferred genre now, hellcat. For very specific reasons, which we won’t share with the grant committee.”
“Lincoln,” I hissed.
But Harper just laughed. “I have to admit I wasn’t expecting to be charmed during a grant interview, but here we are.”
“Sorry about that.” I hooked a thumb in Lincoln’s direction and rolled my eyes. “This one can’t help it.”
“I’m not gonna apologize for that,” he said, grinning at Harper. “If charming you helps my wife get what she deserves, I’ll turn it up to eleven.”
The grin lingered on Harper’s face, but her gaze sharpened just a touch as she flipped to the last page of her notes. “One final question. What’s been the most challenging part of being married so far?”
“Watching her carry more than she has to,” Lincoln said before I could even open my mouth to respond. “And learning whether to step in or back off.”
“How about you, Willa?” she asked.
But my gaze was locked on my husband, and I couldn’t look away. Because for all the ways this marriage wasn’t supposed to be real, he’d never treated it that way. Not when it came to me. He’d shown up, day in and day out, like a man who’d meant every word of our fake vows.
Until this—until him—I’d never felt so cared for. So cherished.
I swallowed thickly and admitted, “Trusting someone enough to help carry the burden.”
He rubbed his thumb across my skin, giving me the steady presence I’d come to rely on more than I could admit.
Harper clicked her pen again and flipped her notebook closed before sending us a smile. “This was really helpful. And surprisingly lovely.” She stood, tucking her things into her bag.
“That’s it?” I asked, walking her to the door.
“That’s it,” she confirmed. “Someone will be in touch soon.”
Lincoln stood behind me, his warmth a comforting presence at my back. “Before you go, can we bribe you with some jam?”
“Tempting,” Harper said on a laugh. “But I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. I might swing by the market next week, though.”
