Chapter 21 #2
He gave a questioning lift of one eyebrow. “We’ve spent quite a lot of time in each other’s personal space in LA…”
“That was different,” I said quickly.
“Hmm.” With that, he turned and walked to the door. “The gang will be arriving soon.”
I glowered at his back until he disappeared. “Hmm? What does that mean?” I muttered. He probably thought I was a basket case. It was all his fault, anyway. I could argue that it was his actions that turned me into this uncertain, wary woman.
Heaving a sigh, I looked around at the ton of things he’d bought me. “I don’t know how to feel about this,” I whispered, eyeing a shopping bag.
By the time I finished poking through the avalanche of luxury Lincoln dropped on me, the sun was setting.
He’d stopped a minute before with news of his friends’ arrival.
Dinner was being set up on the east terrace.
I was nervous to meet his closest friends, but certainly it wouldn’t be as harrowing as partying with a bunch of famous strangers in a couple of days.
For dinner, I chose a simple flowy maxi dress from the collection of things Lincoln got.
As I assessed myself in the mirror, I was satisfied.
At least, I’d look like I fit in with the others.
From what I heard, the entire crew was successful and wealthy.
I paused as I was struck by a thought. Did Lincoln really go all out because he wanted to do something nice, as he’d said, or was he afraid I’d embarrass him?
My eyebrows furrowed.
No.
There might have been over a decade between the Lincoln I’d known and the man now, but he was still that sweet guy I had crushed on since the day I met him. Using his special day to help me was proof enough.
Squaring my shoulders, I went on my way.
Lincoln’s friends were already on the terrace. They hadn’t seen me yet, so I studied them. They were chatting and laughing. They looked like the cast of a high-end commercial for luxury travel or fashion. All beautiful and well-dressed. I chuckled at the thought.
Lincoln stood among them, a beer in one hand.
He wore a big grin that made something tighten in my chest. He looked happy.
The kind that made me feel like I was watching someone I used to know, and maybe I didn’t fit into his life anymore.
But that shouldn’t matter, should it? I didn’t want to be a part of his life like that.
He was my past and should stay there. Yet, my steps faltered because deep down, I wasn’t convinced that was what I wanted anymore.
I sucked in a breath and stopped walking altogether.
“Oh God,” I breathed, wanting to turn around and run back inside.
However, Lincoln looked my way, and our eyes locked. It was too late to run. I adjusted my dress and told myself I wouldn’t be awkward. I’d handled worse.
The moment I stepped onto the lantern-lit deck, I was swept up in introductions.
“Ava! Finally, we meet in person.”
Lincoln walked over to me and placed a palm on my lower back. Instantly, I felt better. He was… familiar. “Everyone, this is Ava.” He glanced at me. “You already know Alex.”
He got up, and we shook hands. I’d already met Michael and his wife, Mia, at the charity gala. We shook hands too, but Mia gave me a warm hug—she was sweet like that.
Next, I met Olivia, Alex’s wife, followed by James—he told me to call him Jamie—and his wife Charlotte. Last was Spencer, with the cute accent.
It was Spencer who almost had me spiraling into that awkwardness I said I’d avoid.
“I heard you two used to date,” he said. “So, you two are back together, then?”
Michael groaned. “Jesus, Spence. Real subtle.”
“Of course they are,” Charlotte said. “Or she wouldn’t be here. I think it’s wonderful,” she gushed.
Lincoln gave me a worried glance. “Guys, don’t start. Ava and I—”
“Yes, we’re together,” I said.
Lincoln was right about what he’d said earlier. It was easier for everyone to think we were a real couple, even his friends. Besides, it would be super awkward to have to explain our whole fake-dating plot.
After a surprised glance, Lincoln smiled.
“I get it now,” Olivia gasped.
“What?” Charlotte, who was beaming at us like a proud aunt—I wasn’t sure why she’d be so excited about Lincoln and me being a couple—asked.
“Cay d’Ava,” Olivia said in perfect French.
We all stared at her blankly.
“Ava’s islet—or Ava’s cay… The name of Lincoln’s island.” She gave us a duh look.
My eyes widened—to the size of saucers, I was sure.
Lincoln cleared his throat lightly, and his palm slid away from my back.
“Mia, whom I’d gathered from our one meeting was a big romantic—clutched her chest. “Lincoln, you named your island after Ava. That is so romantic.”
I looked up at Lincoln. He named his island after me? Why?
He refused to make eye contact. And was he blushing? My eyebrows lifted. I guess no one was supposed to figure out that little detail. Olivia, who had spilled the beans, looked at Lincoln with guilt. I guess she realized she wasn’t supposed to have shared.
“Um… what are we waiting for, guys?” she said. “Let’s eat!” She gave Lincoln another apologetic look as she diverted everyone's attention. Not mine, though. I was still stuck on Cay d’Ava.
The ladies got into place along with Spencer. Alex, Jamie, and Michael stayed put to glare at Lincoln.
“Thanks a lot, Linc,” Alex grumbled.
“What?” he asked.
“I might have to buy an island now and name it after my woman,” he said.
“Yeah.” Michael sighed. “Mia thought it was so romantic.”
Jamie chuckled. “Way to show us up, Linc.”
I couldn’t help smiling. Michael sounded genuinely stressed about not being romantic enough for his wife. It was sweet.
Lincoln rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, I’m glad I can get all you slackers to up your game.”
He received good-natured slaps on the shoulders as they joined everyone else at the table. So, I guess they weren’t really mad.
Lincoln and I remained in place. He eyed me with a sheepish expression.
“Lincoln…”
“Ava, the whole island-naming thing isn’t that big of a deal.”
My eyes narrowed on him. The tinge of pink in his cheeks said it was. “Oh, really?”
“Dinner is underway, let’s go.”
He took off at a desperate speed. I shook my head at his evasion tactic. He pulled out a chair and gestured for me to join them. Letting out a quiet sigh, I did.
Dinner was nice. Lincoln’s friends were amazing, simply put.
I’d been worried about feeling like an outsider around them.
But the flow of warm, genuine energy put me at ease.
They obviously love Lincoln. I was glad he had this kind of support system.
As enjoyable as dinner was, I kept thinking about the island-naming revelation. What did it mean?