16. time to improvise
CHAPTER 16
TIME TO IMPROVISE
IVY
It gets real quiet during take-off. I might be digging my nails into Lincoln’s arm right now, but it’s hard to tell because I’m trying to listen to the safety instructions over the sound of my heart pounding in my throat.
How am I supposed to play this? When Lincoln showed up at my door and asked me out, I’d hoped that maybe… but now his family is here, and he obviously never told them we broke up (boy, would that make this three times more awkward), so… what is this? A date? An audition? Payback?
It’s my fault he has to pretend to date me, after all.
Lincoln, looking unbelievably sexy in dark denim and a buttery soft T-shirt, covers my hand with his, but doesn’t pry it off like I’m expecting. Instead, he leans over and kisses my forehead. It’s so sweet, so comforting, that no, I can’t picture him planning this as petty revenge.
I wasn’t the only one surprised to see Darcy and Astrid onboard.
It’s just, this was so much easier at the masquerade when I was playing someone else. Less chance of getting hurt.
“So, Ivy,” Darcy says, leaning forward and pinning me with the sharp stare I now recognize as a family trait. No wonder their family is formidable. Her hair is darker than Lincoln’s, flicking out in a thick wave, but it’s the black nail polish that surprises me. “Tell me everything. How did you two meet?”
“You remember Emma,” Lincoln says, and Darcy lights up.
“Of course! Oh, I’ve been meaning to get in touch since I heard about her parents selling the house. How is she? It’s been ages.”
Emma’s a topic that requires no falsifying. I’m lucky to have a friend like her. “She’s great. Kicking ass at work, and it’s a long story, but she’s completely in love. It’s almost disgusting.”
Darcy flashes me a wry smile. “She probably says the same thing about you two.”
“Anyway,” I say, breezing on past that land mine. I should stop the charade. I’m not sure why Lincoln never told them the truth, but is it really even my life if I’m not embroiled in a deeply one-sided fantasy relationship? I might as well enjoy the perks while they last. “Lincoln surprised us at her parents’ farewell party and left an impression.” All true. “He’s not shy about going after what he wants, and what can I say? He’s a hard man to resist, but also surprisingly sweet when he wants to be. After that, it was easy to fall for him.”
“Yes, he’s always been that way,” Darcy says, and I feel Lincoln tense under my palm.
Perhaps making up a whole backstory for us is making it worse, but then, he’s not exactly setting anyone straight.
Hoping he’ll feel the apology in it, I thread our fingers together. “Oh, trust me, I thought for sure he’d get bored with me at some point?—”
“Impossible,” he says, and the blush that rushes to my cheeks is 100 percent real. “It’s me who has to worry about keeping you entertained.”
“You won’t have to try hard. There’s nothing about you I don’t like,” I admit.
Darcy pulls a camera out of her bag, a brick of a thing that means serious business. There’s easily a couple grand in her manicured hands, and then I remember I’m sitting on a private plane. So silly of me to forget.
“You two are adorable. I have to get a photo.”
“Darcy,” Lincoln says again, a whole sentence distilled into one word. He’s good at that.
“Just one kiss. It’ll be great. You’ve had her to yourself for a whole year, Lincoln. Don’t be greedy.”
She’s smiling knowingly. I can’t tell if she’s buying this or not, so even though I know my heart is going to read all the wrong things into this, I curl my hand around his jaw and pull Lincoln in for a kiss.
I only mean for to be short and sweet, a simple meeting of lips. Demure. Safe for familial consumption. But the moment he presses his mouth to mine, once, then again, a little firmer, lightning shoots through me, all the way to my toes.
It’s so tender, my heart aches. Like he can’t get enough. Like there’s no one he’d ever want to kiss but me. It’s overwhelming in all the best ways, and I already know no other kiss will live up to it.
It can’t be more than a few seconds, but it leaves me off balance, and when he playfully nudges my nose with his as he pulls away, I have to duck my head and remember to breathe.
These are dangerous waters.
But it’s not real. He’s playing it up for his family, and I can’t let myself fall into the trap of believing this is anything other than an immersive improvisation.
* * *
The view before we land steals my breath. Buildings dot along the coast, weathered but unshakable, as though they sprouted from the very ground, unearthed by the lapping waters.
A car is already waiting for us when we land, and when we arrive at the factory, I find the people, too, are durable, chipped from the stone that surrounds us.
It’s impressive.
The Bradbury name looms large in wrought iron, a stamp on the building, and I dare say, the town. The building stands firm at its center, bearing the marks of a long history. Apparently, it functions as shelter when storms hit.
Makes sense. It’s probably older than the sea.
Most people who pass us know Astrid and Darcy, although it surprises me when they’re greeted like old friends and not corporate overlords. It’s a nice change. Only a few people recognize Lincoln, but it’s always with the same exclamation— something akin to “you’re so grown”— before telling him to send their love to his dad.
I guess this town bears the history of the Reeveses too.
As good as the tour is, what I really want is to get a moment with Lincoln alone. Maybe then he can tell me what the plan is. Should we stage a fight and break up before we fly back?
Wait, bad idea. Who will hold my hand during take-off?
I could always pick a fight after we land— something, something, I never want to see you again — A quick scroll through my old Tinder messages should help me come up with something.
I’ll hate every second, but if it’s what he wants, I’ll do it.
Before I can pull him aside, Darcy links her arm in his and insists on getting some shots of him inside, even as he grumbles that “I don’t work for you. Or Reed.”
She looks to me, but I get the feeling that once Lincoln sets his mind on something, there’s no changing it. There’s a relief in knowing he can’t be moved easily, as steadfast as the building she’s attempting to persuade him into.
But for her sake, I try. “You should go.” Stretching up to my toes, I kiss his cheek. “Come find me after.”
There’s too much to read in his gaze and no chance to ask while his family is here, but he eventually nods.
As Lincoln and Darcy walk away, Astrid waves me onward. “Come on, I’m going to take you over to Octavia’s.”