Pink.
No-one’s ever seen me that way.
But is that how Lincoln sees me? Is that what he’s trying to say?
The tingling in my stomach intensifies, spreading all the way up my eyeballs. This feeling is so unfamiliar, and I’m at risk of being swept up in it. I force myself to remember that the diamond may be real, but this marriage won’t be. I have to conduct myself accordingly.
“Cool. Thanks,” I say, trying to sound normal as I slip my hand from his. Unaffected and detached. “It must cost a fortune. I’ll give it back once we’re…” My voice trails off when I glance into the backseat and find Cameron staring right at us. I clear my throat. “Ready for dinner?” I ask, forcing a smile.
The little boy’s own smile looks just as strained. “Yes,” he says quietly before his stare falls to his lap.
Damn. He’s still not comfortable with me. Well, at least, he’s not comfortable with me as his stepmother. Can’t say I blame the kid. I’m not exactly the ‘step-motherly’ type.
With a nod, Lincoln climbs out of the car, helping Cameron out before rounding to my side and opening the door.
The three of us step into Great-Grandma’s house, and despite being worried all day about my fake fiancé’s mood, I quickly realize that my anxiety was all for nothing.
If Lincoln feels weird over whatever is happening between us, you’d never guess it now. Because he’s too busy charming the pants off my great-grandmother at the moment.
“You have such a beautiful home, Mrs. Lannister. And that view of the lake—I can only imagine how stunning it looks once the garden is in full bloom in the summer,” he’s saying after introductions are made.
“My groundskeeper, Humphrey, does a wonderful job of keeping the entire estate in an impeccable condition,” Great-Grandma breathes softly, her hands clasped over her chest as she gazes out the window to where Humphrey is currently working in the yard with his crew of helpers. “This place would be in shambles without him.”
I’m maybe alittleannoyed that Lincoln is able to win her over so easily. Though I have to remind myself that it’s all for the greater good.
The fact that Josephine the Terror is practically in love with my new fiancé helps pave the way for our plans to work. She’s just absolutely smitten with Mr. Button-Up. This is freaking fantastic.
If only the man was so charming and polite with me as well.
It’s not long before Lincoln has the whole table in stitches, laughing at all his one-liners and self-deprecating jokes. Great-Grandma is practically eating out of his big, smooth palm.
Shit—my great-grandmother has a crush on my husband-to-be. Hmm…Maybesheshould marry him.
Lincoln makes it all look so effortless. You can tell he’s a professional at fooling people.
Well, everyone except me.
I see past it all. Lincoln’s good at putting on a pretty face for my family. He’s good at hiding his worries, his stress, and his generational pain.
I take a small amount of pride in knowing that I’m the only one in this room who knows Lincoln on a deeper level. That I’m the only one here who knows what motivates him, what drives him.
When Great-Grandma is not doting on Lincoln, she’s falling head over heels for a sweet, innocent Cameron. He sits in the chair next to her all throughout dinner. She doesn’t even mind that he’s brought some toys to the formal table.
He talks Great-Grandma’s ear off, showing her his Hot Wheels and mansplaining car stuff in the cutest way.
“These two are my favorite,” he’s saying. “But this one here? It’s mymostfavorite. It’s a Chevy Corvette. This model is from 1974. Right, Dad?”
“That’s right, Son.” Lincoln nods proudly.
Cameron turns back to Great-Grandma. “1974 was a really long time ag—wait, wereyoualive back then?”
Everyone stifles their laughter, but Great Grandma grins widely. “I sure was. What would you say if I told you my husband had a car just like this?”
Cameron gasps. “Really?! He had a Corvette?”
She nods. “A red one.”
The little boy’s jaw drops open.“So cool…”
