Chapter 33
Gabrielle's POV
Morris is sprawled across the cart, licking catnip off his paws like he doesn’t have a single care in the world.
The stuff turns him into this soft, dreamy creature, and it makes deliveries a little easier because he just melts into himself instead of trying to jump off and greet everyone.
I never imagined a cat could be this chill.
I’m listening to music through my earbuds as I drop off a packet on one of the upper levels, then head down to Level A. I’m not thinking about much. Just trying to finish my route so I can clock out at three like always.
Then I feel a hand on my shoulder.
I turn, and my heart jumps too fast for how tired I am.
It’s Lincoln.
Except he isn’t looking at me, he’s looking around, scanning the hallway like he’s afraid someone is watching us.
“Hey, what’s up?” I ask.
“Do you have some time after work? To talk?”
“Yeah, I’m getting off at 3 like usual.”
“Just let me know before you leave. Okay?”
“Okay, s-sure.”
He walks off without even a real goodbye, and I’m left standing there with Morris blinking at me.
When three o’clock rolls around, I don’t know if I should text him. He’s notorious for not answering.
But I try.
Me: Hey, ready?
It's almost comical how fast he shows up, practically materializing in the lobby.
No hesitation.
“Hey,” he says, “I’m just gonna cut to the chase. Are you and Fabian together?”
Wow, what the hell?
I don't know why that felt like it came out of nowhere, and yet it felt expected.
“If I was with him, why would it matter?”
“Oh, I just need to know because then I don’t even understand why me and Sarah aren’t able to fool around if that’s the case.”
“You can do whatever the hell you want. Like I said. And like you said, we’re not exclusive.
You clearly wanna keep fucking Sarah. I don’t even know why you stopped in the first place.
Because even if you and I did get back together, you still work very closely with her.
You blew up our marriage for her. So you really think I’m stupid enough to trust that that wouldn’t happen again?
Nah, we’re both wasting each other’s time if we think that getting back together is a good idea. ”
“So you making me wait and trying to drive me crazy with sexual tension… nothing was ever gonna come of that?”
“It was fun and it was very sexy. But I don’t think you have the self-control, Lincoln. I don’t think you’re strong enough for me. And I want a guy who’s strong. And Fabian is very honest from the get-go.”
“Fabian flirts with and fucks every woman that he meets!”
“Yeah, he told me he’s a flirt.”
“You don’t like men like that, though. You made that very plain when we met.”
The thing is, I feel the need right now to let Lincoln know that I do have options, but at the same time... Fabian is not a sure thing. For all I know... Fabian might be a loverboy as well, and so I say the simple thing, which is partly the truth.
“Look, it’s not like we’re dating or anything. We’re not screwing each other. We’ve just been hanging out, and mostly at work. I don’t even see him outside of work. Not that it’s really any of your business, but yeah.”
Lincoln doesn’t reply. He just stares with this blank expression, and then his eyes flick away like something inside him shut down.
“I have to get back to work,” he says.
“Okay, I guess I’ll see you at home later, or are you coming home?”
“Yes, I’m coming home.”
“I’ll make something nice, okay?”
He nods, but the expression on his face is… strange.
“Hey,” I say, stopping him before he turns away completely.
He looks back.
“I don’t want to fight anymore. And, you’re right. I have no right to care about what happens between you and Sarah. I do want you to move on and be happy. I think we… both owe it to each other to do that, after everything.”
He stands there for a moment, barely breathing.
“Okay. I’ll see you later,” his voice softens, barely audible before he walks off.
Later that evening, I cook up a storm. Something he’ll like. Morris jumps onto the counter, the little menace.
“Ah ah! Get down from there. I don’t want hair flying in the food. Who do you think this is, Lincoln? I don’t know what he lets you get away with, but that is not allowed here, sir.”
I laugh as he hops down, meowing like I’ve ruined his entire life.
A few minutes later, I hear the door click. Lincoln steps inside.
Wow he's early. It's only 5:00 p.m.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hey,” he repeats. “Something smells good.”
For some strange reason, my mood increases.
We eat dinner together. And then we end up watching shows together.
And honestly?
The next few days feel… peaceful.
We’re not arguing.
We’re not tense.
We’re just existing next to each other. He’s still a little sad at first, but after a while he starts opening up again, talking more, laughing more.
And I enjoy his company.
And he enjoys mine.
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