"Because I like my job."
"Really? You like your job or the people at your job?"
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" he snaps at me again.
"Because you're the kind of person that would never put yourself through this mental turmoil unless it's for someone that you care about. You told me a long time ago that you're not a slave to any man, and you told me that what's important is chasing your dreams."
"Chasing dreams doesn't pay the bills."
"Baby, you already paid the bill."
"I still need money to put into the investments in real estate so we can be okay," Lincoln tells me.
"You say that we can be okay. You're doing this for me and blah blah blah. But if I don't have you at the end, what the hell is the point? If I tell you right now, babe, I don't care about that stuff.I don't care about investments. I don't care about retirement. I just wanna be with you."
"And how do you think we're gonna live with each other if we don't have those things in place? Things are getting more expensive."
"Oh my god. Then let's move, Link. We don't have to stay here near the city."
"All the opportunities are here. Things that I'm good at are here. Unless you want me to spend three hours commuting back and forth, one way, each way."
"No."
"Well, tell me, Gabrielle, because you can't have your cake and eat it. This is what growing up is like. When I told you those things, we were both very young. And now rude awakening, this is what life is actually like. You're free to go out there and get a grueling job to make up for some of it, but I know how stressed out that makes you. I'm trying to save you from all of—"
"But I don't…"
Pausing, I take a breath, opening my eyes slowly as I look at him. He's so tall, and for some reason, his height makes him feel even more unreachable.
"I don't wanna lose you in the process, Lincoln. I love you more than anything."
My hands take his. They're so big and warm.
"Please tell me what's going on. Do you still love me at least?"
"Yes. I still love you, Gabby. Please stop that."
"I just—I just need to hear it. You told me a long time ago that I should ask you as many times until I'm assured. And right now, I don't feel assured. So please just tell me again. Do you love me?"
"Yes I love you."
He says it a little quieter, looking into my eyes now, finally.
"I love you too, and we both agreed that we could get through anything. Remember?"
He seems to release a sigh, the tension liquidating from him. He nods his head very slowly, his eyes closed. He looks so tired. Why was he so willing to fight me just now?
"You can talk to me about anything, even your job, even things that you think I would judge you for, maybe, as long as we have each other. Everything will be okay. I love you. If this job truly makes you happy, then I support you. But if it's not, baby, leave. I would rather be with you poor. I was with you when you had almost nothing. Remember?"
"… Yeah."
"Then, baby, please, please don't feel like you have to run yourself ragged for me."
"My whole team is depending on me. There are other ways to make money, but I would have to start from the ground up. And I want us to solidify our future. I don't wanna be retiring when I'm sixty years old. That's why I'm working as hard as I am now. I'm working hard like this now so that we can play and be freelater."
He puts his warm hands on my shoulders, looking into my eyes.
"Please just trust me."
