Page 37 of The Best Man Problem
“Okay.” Kenneth nodded, taking the hint. “I saw nothing, but just know I think Lilly is great and all, but…”
“But what?”
His friend rubbed the back of his neck. Kenneth hated confrontation, but the guy never shied away from talking about something that was important.
“You two don’t really have a lot in common, and…” Kenneth’s gaze softened. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
Jessa’s betrayal hadn’t only impacted Lincoln; his friends had taken it hard, too. At one time, they’d all been the fantastic foursome, the perfect couple friends. His ex’s cheating ruined their core group dynamic, and he knew his buddy still harbored anger on Lincoln’s behalf.
“Don’t worry, man.” He slapped Kenneth on the back. “It’s nothing that serious.”
Kenneth narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know if that makes it better or worse.”
He shrugged. “It makes it what it is.”
And what it was at the moment was a whole lotta nothing. Because he was part of a wedding Lilly was planning. But after the wedding…could he convince her that this explosive chemistry they had deserved another night or two of exploration? He wasn’t asking for forever. He didn’t let his heart get involved like that anymore. Even if the thing did tug uncomfortably in his chest every time the intriguing woman was near.
Sex only, because he couldn’t give anything more. He just couldn’t.
Chapter Eleven
Lincoln stepped into his apartment, sweat dripping down his forehead into his eyes. He swiped at the moisture with his forearm, tossing his keys into the small bowl on the kitchen table. One thing he’d learned in his few short weeks living in Denver: the city had some awesome running trails. Between the Cherry Creek Trail and the abundant parks, it was a runner’s dream city.
He shrugged off his soft-shell running jacket, stripping the long-sleeved thermal shirt underneath off as well. When the weather got really bad, he’d run on the small treadmill he bought a few years ago, but he hated running in place. He found it boring as hell. So barring below-zero temperatures or a few feet of snow, Lincoln headed outside every morning for a mind-clearing run.
And boy had he needed to clear his mind lately. After Lilly planted those sweet lips on him the other night—again—his brain hadn’t been able to stop thinking of the smart, sexy woman. Remembering their night together, imagining all the things he wanted to do again and all the things he wanted to do for the first time. If only she’d agree to another go-around.
He understood her need to keep their relationship professional. Okay, he didn’t. He wasn’t her client; his friends were. But he respected it. If she had a personal rule about comingling with members of her wedding parties, he could abide by that. And it was a personal rule, if her business partner Mo was anything to go by. Her other partner, Pru, might still be on the fence, judging by the hesitant looks he caught her giving him, but Mo had practically thrown them together the other day when he came over to fix their computer. She didn’t seem to have a problem with her dating someone involved in a wedding they were hired to plan, so why did Lilly?
Something he should ask but had held back from. The answer was sure to be a deep and personal one, most likely filled with pain and bad memories. He was still working through his own issues regarding a bad relationship experience; he wasn’t sure he was ready or able to help anyone else with theirs. Knowing why Lilly had a rule against dating client-adjacent people would take them from the playful, yet powerful, lust-driven connection they shared to something deeper. More real. Lincoln didn’t know if he was ready for that yet. Or ever again.
He hopped into the shower, sudsing and scrubbing the frozen sweat from his body. The hot water pounding on his back and shoulders loosened the tense muscles. Steam soon filled the tiny bathroom, creating a sauna-like atmosphere. Who needed the gym when he could enjoy a hot steam in the privacy of his own home?
He shut off the water, stepping out of the shower and toweling dry. Wiping the condensation from the mirror, he glanced at himself, raising a hand to rub at the dark scruff that had turned from the beginnings of a beard to a full-fledged face warmer. He hated shaving. No matter what he tried—creams, oils, the electric or manual razors—he always got razor burn. Damn sensitive skin. Luckily, his vocation didn’t care if he was clean-shaven or not. Score one for being a computer geek.
Maybe he’d let his beard grow out a little. He was in the land of hipsters and homebrews, after all. If he got himself a flannel shirt, he could fit right in with the other lumbersexuals he’d seen around town. But he drew the line at a man bun. He didn’t have the dedication long hair required.
Making his way out of the bathroom to his bedroom, he checked the time. He had a few hours before Kenneth’s bachelor party started. Marie and her bridesmaids were having their party at the same time. Everyone was meeting at the end of the night at some bar so the couple could go home together. He made a mental note to turn his music up extra loud tonight. Unfortunately, he’d discovered sound did indeed carry through the floors.
At least he knew his friends were happy.
Very happy.
…
Hey, what are you up to tonight?
Lilly glanced at her phone, reading the message lighting up the screen. She paused the show she’d been watching, brow furrowing as she glanced at the name of the sender.
Aren’t you supposed to be at Kenneth’s bachelor party right now?
I am, Lincoln’s text came back. Wanna see a picture of the strippers?
She’d chosen that unfortunate moment to take a sip of her soda. Liquid came out her nose as she choked on the sip. The bubbles popped, irritating her nostrils. Thank God Mo was out tonight. She didn’t want to have to explain why she just inhaled carbonated sugar water.
No! she texted back, swiping at her damp face with the back of her sleeve. I most certainly do not.
How the hell could he think she’d want to see some scantily clad women dancing for skeevy drunk pervs? She knew quite a few erotic dancers, and they were extremely talented. Mo had badgered her into taking a free intro pole-dancing class, and she fell flat on her face. Tweaked the heck out of her shoulder. Never went back. Those women had talent and deserved much more recognition than they received.
