“You don’t like men like that, though. You made that very plain when we met.”
The thing is, I feel the need right now to let Lincoln know that I do have options, but at the same time... Fabian is not a sure thing. For all I know... Fabian might be a loverboy as well, and so I say the simple thing, which is partly the truth.
“Look, it’s not like we’re dating or anything. We’re not screwing each other. We’ve just been hanging out, andmostlyat work. I don’t even see him outside of work. Not that it’s really any of your business, but yeah.”
Lincoln doesn’t reply. He just stares with this blank expression, and then his eyes flick away like something inside him shut down.
“I have to get back to work,” he says.
“Okay, I guess I’ll see you at home later, or are you coming home?”
“Yes, I’m coming home.”
“I’ll make something nice, okay?”
He nods, but the expression on his face is… strange.
“Hey,” I say, stopping him before he turns away completely.
He looks back.
“I don’t want to fight anymore. And, you’re right. I have no right to care about what happens between you and Sarah. Idowant you to move on and be happy. I think we… both owe it to each other to do that, after everything.”
He stands there for a moment, barely breathing.
“Okay. I’ll see you later,” his voice softens, barely audible before he walks off.
Later that evening, I cook up a storm. Something he’ll like. Morris jumps onto the counter, the little menace.
“Ah ah! Get down from there. I don’t want hair flying in the food. Who do you think this is, Lincoln? I don’t know what he lets you get away with, but that is not allowed here, sir.”
I laugh as he hops down, meowing like I’ve ruined his entire life.
A few minutes later, I hear the door click. Lincoln steps inside.
Wow he's early. It's only 5:00 p.m.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hey,” he repeats. “Something smells good.”
For some strange reason, my mood increases.
We eat dinner together. And then we end up watching shows together.
And honestly?
The next few days feel… peaceful.
We’re not arguing.
We’re not tense.
We’re just existing next to each other. He’s still a little sad at first, but after a while he starts opening up again, talking more, laughing more.
And I enjoy his company.
And he enjoys mine.
