“I’ll increase your pay to 50 an hour. Or 70.”
I stop in place.
He must be joking.
When we were married, Lincoln was the one paying a very big portion of my father’s medical bills. Daddy is the only parent I have left. He’s important to me.
And because of that, he was important to Lincoln too, even if they were never close. Honestly, Lincoln didn’t think Daddy would last this long.
But he’s still kicking. And Lincoln knows I’m still taking care of him.
“How’s Bruce doing?” he asks.
My whole body freezes. I know he notices.
“He’s fine,” I say. “As fine as he can be anyway. That’s none of your concern anymore. And for the record, he doesn’t like you.”
Lincoln smiles. “I can’t imagine why.”
Okay, this sarcasm and joking bullshit he thinks is cute needs to stop. Maybe it was funny when we were together, but it sure as shit isn’t funny now.
I roll my eyes and turn toward the door again.
“How much do you need?” Lincoln asks.
It makes me stop again.
“From you?” I ask. “Nothing.”
“Well,” he starts, stepping slowly closer, “I did need someone to clean up and to look after Morris so he’s not alone.”
“Get another cat,” I say.
“Yeah, but I don’t want two cats,” Lincoln replies. “I didn’t see myself as a twofer with cats. I only want one pet that I can pour all my love into. We both know I can’t handle two pussies at once.”
What the fuck.
He has this stupid smile on his face, like he thinks he just said something hilarious.
God. The fucking cringe.
This time, I step out the door.
“Wait,” he says, rushing out and getting in front of me.
“Get out of my way, Lincoln.”
“Wait—” he says again, holding up his hand. “I’m sorry. I’m just really fucking nervous.”
And I can tell he means it. The confident tech bro he plays on camera, especially when he’s standing next to Sarah, that guy is gone. In this moment, he has absolutely zero confidence.
Good. He shouldn’t.
He knows I want nothing to do with him, and he really did trap me into this. Who does he think he is?
“What are you nervous about?” I ask.
“Look,” he starts, “I know we’re never getting back together, and I’m not asking you to, and this isn’t some ploy to do that. I promise you. I really do need someone to clean while I’m away, and more so to look after Morris.”
