Chapter Fifty-Three
Melonie
A fter breakfast, Linc went to his room. I walked into my room, closed the door and grabbed my phone to send a text to Audrey and Gigi.
Me: Root beer floats.
My phone starts buzzing with their responses, and we all agree to meet at Gigi’s in an hour. The girls know that when we say “root beer floats,” it either means shit has hit the fan or we need to celebrate. It’s been our tradition for years when one of us has something major happen in our lives. I drop my phone on the bed, grab some leggings and a shirt, then head to the bathroom to get ready.
When I walk into the kitchen to grab my purse, Linc is on his laptop at the island. He looks up and smiles. “What are you up to?”
“Going to meet the girls at Gigi’s.” I say it quickly, like I’m afraid I’ll tell him the reason I need to meet with them.
“Will you be back for dinner?”
“Yeah, I won’t be gone too long. I need to finish a couple of things for work later.”
“Sounds good. Drive safe.”
“Always.” He looks back down at his laptop, taking a sip of his coffee. He must have taken a shower after breakfast, because his hair is clean and not styled. If he just showered, he probably smells like his soap and shampoo. I don’t know what he uses, but whatever it is, it’s a deadly combination for my brain and my clit. It smells like comfort and home and sexiness. He’s wearing plaid pajama pants and a white t-shirt that stretches around his biceps. His strong, sexy biceps. For fuck’s sake, my hormones are out of control right now.
I check my mouth in the mirror in the entryway to see if I actually drooled. I force myself to tamp down the thoughts of stripping off my clothes and straddling him in our kitchen. I need to leave before I have to change my panties.
He turns to look at me, looking a little confused. “You good?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m good. Just feel like I’m forgetting something.”
He rises from his chair and walks to me, kissing my hair. “If you think of what it is, just text me. I might go to the store later, so I’ll be out and about. I need a couple things, and we need more juice for Millie.” He rubs my bump.
God, this man is determined to break me this morning.
I grab my keys. “I’ll text you if I think of it. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, Mama.”
I practically run out the door.
I knock on Gigi’s door, and she opens it with a concerned look on her face. I see Audrey standing behind her in the entryway.
“What’s going on, Melonie?”
I’m a little out of breath, not sure if it’s just being pregnant or what I’m about to tell them. I walk behind the women to the kitchen. They both start to prepare our floats, and I sit at the island.
“I’m in love with Linc.”
Gigi freezes with the ice cream lid in her hand, and Audrey turns from the cabinet with glasses in her hands and has a huge smile on her face.
“I knew it.” Audrey hugs me.
She steps back, and tears prick at my eyes as I play with the hem of my t-shirt. “What am I going to do?”
Gigi’s eyes soften. “What do you mean? You tell him.”
I shake my head. “I can’t. I’m scared to death to tell him. What if he doesn’t see me that way anymore?”
Audrey pushes me a float. “Melonie, you have nothing to worry about. That man has been in love with you for a long time.”
“How can you be so sure? What if I’ve pushed him away for so long now that he doesn’t want that for us? I don’t want to scare him, and have it blow up in my face. I like living with him, and I don’t want to mess that up.”
Gigi sits beside me. “Melonie, listen to me.” I look into her caring green eyes. “Linc isn’t one to hide what he’s thinking or feeling. If he wasn’t committed to you and Millie, you would know it. He might have stuffed down his feelings for you because you’ve set the pace of being just friends, or roommates, or whatever y’all are right now.” Her hand flings around in the air between us. “But if you admit what you’re feeling, he’ll be all in.”
“She’s right, babes. Linc might seem okay with how things have been between the two of you because he wants to keep you close. He’s probably just as scared to admit his feelings. He doesn’t want to push you away.”
I stir my float and think for a moment.
“How did this happen? How did I fall for him? I feel like such a mess right now.”
Gigi snorts and shrugs. “He figured out what you needed. He stayed consistent, learned patience, and showed you that you can count on him. I never thought pretty boy had it in him, but he did it.”
“I knew he did.” Audrey grins.
“Okay, so I tell him?”
Audrey places a hand on my arm. “Yes.”
Gigi nods. “Tell him and then fuck his brains out. We all know you want to.”
We all laugh, because we know she’s right, but the way she says what everyone is thinking is hilarious.
“Okay, I’ll tell him.” I blow out a rough breath. “But first, I need more ice cream.”
Audrey pushes the tub to me and hands me the spoon. “Have at it, babes.”