Lincoln looks at me for a moment. “Sorry. Old habit. I'm gonna send you something then through your email.”
There’s a pause before he asks, “Do you still have the personal one, or are you using the one that you signed up with for the job?”
“I still have my personal one,” I answer.
“Is it okay if I send it there?” he asks.
I pause. “Sure.”
My heart keeps fluttering, and it’s so freaking annoying. I don’t want to have feelings for him. But how do you stop yourself from feeling for someone you loved for so long? It’s only been a couple of years. Not nearly enough time to get over him completely. But I’m getting there.
Working with him is going to be annoying. I don’t have to take this job, but he’s paying me the best. And it sucks. It really sucks that it has to be him. But you know what? He owes me. Why should I feel bad? Why should I feel bad right now? This dude completely destroyed me, so I’m gonna use him and milk him for everything he’s worth. Why the fuck not?
Gabby Arnoldson, why am I upset?
Should I change my name?
Nah. I’ll keep it. Makes things easier.
Easier for what though?
Then I’d have to redo every government document I own.
“You okay?” Lincoln asks.
“I’m fine. Why?” I ask him.
“You look like you're—” He pauses, smiling just a little. “You’re upset at me.”
“Why would I be upset at you?” I ask.
“It’s all over your face, Gabby,” he says. “You’re probably thinking whether or not this is a good idea, probably trying todistance yourself from me. And I get it. I deserve all of it. And just to let you know, you don’t have to do this forever.”
“What? Just until the cat dies?” I ask.
The second the words leave my mouth, I hear how insensitive they sound.
“Yeah,” Lincoln replies quietly. “I hope he doesn’t die anytime soon. But if you choose that you don’t wanna be here or take care of him anymore—”
“No,” I interrupt, softening. “I need the money, Lincoln, and I do like Morris.” I pick the cat up again, petting him gently.
“It kind of…” I mutter before catching myself. Goddamn it. I almost forgot myself just now.
“Kind ofwhat?” he asks.
“I was gonna say it kinda reminds me of us with Walnut, but—”
“It does a little bit. Yeah,” Lincoln agrees.
“But he’s not our kid. He’s yours and Sarah’s,” I say.
“No. Actually, he’sjustmine,” he replies.
“Okay,” I say.
There’s an awkward silence between us. Lincoln just stares at me. I notice his eyes skim down my body for a split second before dragging back up to my face. It’s so subtle you could miss it, but then he catches himself, blinking fast.
“Okay. I sent it to you,” Lincoln says. “Just press the link, and you’ll have access so you can actually see what the cameras are hooked up to.”
