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“Of course.”
I bite my lip and drop my gaze to the table. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the night you came into the diner but this,” I motion between the two of us, “is a really bad idea.”
“Why?”
“So many reasons,” I whisper, a humorless laugh slipping past my lips. Nothing about this is funny.
“What if I just want to be your friend?”
I arch a brow. “Friends?”
He nods.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been out on a date but I’m not an idiot, Lincoln. I can see exactly what you want.”
“How long is a while?”
“Eight years.”
He lets out a low whistle, shaking his head like he can’t even comprehend what I just said. “Wow.”
“Yeah, and I get the distinct feeling that you’re a love ‘em and leave ‘em type, which I have no interest in and on top of that, this might be the worst timing ever seeing as my mom just died.”
He nods and I can see the wheels turning in his head. “Look, you’re not wrong about me but that’s not what this is about. I remember how it felt right after my dad died and even with my mom and two sisters, it was still confusing and lonely so I just want to be here for you.”
“As friends?”
He nods. “I know what you’re going through and I also know how to help you when things start get to be too much.”
I chew on my lip, considering his words. “And how would you help me?”
“It helps to stay busy and sometimes, just having someone to sit with you so you don’t have to be alone is everything. I can be that guy for you.”
The thought of having him around to lean on and turn to when the emotions are just too strong to handle is very appealing, especially with Theo back in Charleston.
“Okay, I’d like that.”
He smiles, giving my hand a squeeze before releasing it and leaning back in his chair, sipping his coffee.
“I’ve got to ask you a question,” he prompts and I nod. “Has it really been eight years since you went on a date?”
I laugh. “Not exactly but the last time I was in a relationship was eight years ago.”
“Oh, I see. You give me hell for being the love ‘em and leave ‘em type when you’re the exact same way.”
“Uh, no,” I murmur, a blush staining my cheeks. “It’s complicated but I haven’t been with anyone in eight years.”
“You mean… no sex?”
Glancing down at the table, I shake my head. “No.”
“Why?” he whispers, his voice bewildered and I laugh through my embarrassment. Pursing my lips, I pick at my coffee cup.
“I was a bit of a wild child in high school – anything that would make my mother lose her mind, I did it. A few weeks before graduation, I missed my period and my whole world came crashing down on me. I thought my life was over and I regretted all the stupid things I had done during my little rebellion.”
“So you have a kid?” he asks and I shake my head.
“No, thankfully it turned out to be a false alarm but it scared me enough that I broke up with my good for nothing boyfriend and became dedicated to getting my life back on track.”
