“No, he isn’t confused at all, Nina. That man’s on a mission.”
My cheeks heated. It was one thing for Lincoln to say he’d woo me, but another thing for people around us to notice.
A sensation swirled deep in my gut… It felt too close to excitement, too much like Lincoln was winning.
The barista called Lynnie’s name, and Lincoln’s familiar rumble echoed through the space shortly after. Lynnie peeked out through the window to wave him in. Vinny stepped in, with Lincoln right behind him. Lincoln’s expression was all hard lines and barely contained annoyance. My stomach tightened, heat rushing up the back of my neck. They weren’t even looking at each other, but the air between them was taut.
Vinny gave me a half smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Hey, Nins.”
Lincoln’s gaze cut across the room to me, sharp and unreadable, before he shifted it to my cousin. When he did, his jaw ticked, and he stuffed his hands into his pockets.
“Evening, Vin. How was your trip?” The hum of the espresso machine was suddenly deafening, covering for the silence stretching between the two of them.
Lincoln snorted. “So good he couldn’t fucking leave it.”
Vinny lifted his hands in defense. “Dude, I told you.” He waved at me. “I knew you were in good hands.”
Lincoln took a sharp inhale through his nose. “I don’t meanme.” There was a light tremor at the corner of his lips. “I mean Nina, now. I meant Nina earlier. You left your cousin with someone she didn’t want to be left with. What the fuck were you thinking?”
“Dude, I was doingyoua favor.” Vin pointed at me. “Andsheneeded a place to stay. And now you guys are almost friends.”
Lincoln muttered something. Vinny opened his mouth, then closed it and lowered his head. Lynnie glanced between the three of us, then zeroed in on Vinny. She hated loud outspoken conflict; she’d rather kill them with kindness.
She stretched her hand out to Vin. “What if I told you we met briefly?”
Vinny took her hand, giving Lynnie a crooked smile. His shoulders didn’t relax until Lincoln stepped closer to me. Only then, Vinny responded to Lynnie. “What if I told you I wanted to see if your cupcakes could handle all this… social pressure?” He waved vaguely at the oven behind her, awkward as hell but earnest.
Lincoln huffed, stepping even closer until our arms touched, and looked in my eyes.
Lynnie stared at Vinny, dropping his hand, then she threw her head back and barked out a laugh. “That’s the worst line I’ve ever heard.”
“Worst line, best baked goods,” Vinny said, putting his hands in his pockets.
Lynnie turned her back to me and checked on the oven.
“Anyway,” Vinny said, rolling his neck. “I wanted to check in on how things are going with Linc, Nina.” He tilted his head to Lincoln, who rolled his eyes. Then, Vinny added, “You were going to move in with me when I got back.”
“You can’t be this willfully obtuse. I already told you, Vin. Nina isn’t going anywhere. She’s right where she’s supposed to be.” Linc butted in before I could wrap my head around Vinny keeping his word.
“You can’t just decide that for her,” Vin said.
“Right,” Lincoln said, voice clipped. “Because you’ve always cared so much about your cousin.” His eyes narrowed and his neck corded tight, every line of his body going rigid. “Good news, Vin, she’s not your problem anymore. I will gladly take her off your hands.”
That was old Lincoln. Decimating people’s feelings without even trying. Except now he was determined to protect mine.
Vinny’s shoulders sagged, his gaze falling to the floor. Lynnie’s attention flicked from Lincoln to my cousin.
Lincoln’s words made my skin prickle, half insult, half flattery. I’d only let him see one-half. “Funny, Linc, I don’t remember agreeing to staying with you.”
I wasn’t proud that part of me warmed at being claimed so much I could hardly tear my eyes away from Lincoln. His glare was fixed on Vinny who’d acquiesced to Lincoln’s stone cold stare.
“Lynnie…” Lincoln broke the awkward silence, voice cutting through the thick air. “Are you okay showing Vinny out? I want to celebrate with Nina that I’m back at work.”
Lynnie blinked, then her whole face lit up—too bright for the tension from seconds ago. “Yeah, of course! I’ll show him. You guys have fun!” She practically bounced on her heels, shifting her gaze from me to Vinny.
Lincoln’s brows tugged together at first, then the lines on his face smoothed. A quick beat fluttered on his throat. Then I realized I hadn’t said no.
We walked side by side,our steps in sync. Lincoln had made it sound casual.Butthis was starting to feel awfully close to the wooing he’d announced. He walked close, glancing at me.
