Page 80 of Burden of Proof

“The only person you need to prove you’re deserving of this to is yourself, Lincoln. No one else, least of all them.”

“Good talk, big guy.” I slapped my hand against the center of his chest, giving him a watery smile before taking a step back.

He waited and studied me, giving me a onceover that must have answered whatever question he had about my ability tomake it through the rest of the day without having an emotional meltdown in the middle of the sidewalk.

“I love you, Lincoln,” he said, ruffling my hair and kissing the top of my head.

“I love you too,” I muttered, sliding my arms around Marshall’s waist and pressing my cheek against his sternum. He was so tall and so broad, and while I wasn’t attracted to him, I was very aware of the safety that came from being near him.

I cleared my throat and took a step back, still feeling the same kind of protection. Nodding, I smiled up at him as sincerely as my tears would allow.

“Thank you,” I told him.

“I didn’t do anything, Lincoln.” He took a step toward the building, glaring down once more at his watch. “But I am going to tell Silas to have dinner with you tonight, so you might as well be prepared for company.”

I nodded, taking a slurp of my coffee. “Yes, Marshall.”

The corner of his mouth quirked up, and he laughed softly, then shook his head and went back to work.

CHAPTER 24

HUNTER

Lincoln had been scarce the rest of the week. We talked every day, and he’d sent me a handful of pictures, including some of him and his new fish, but I hadn’t actually seen him in person since Wednesday morning when I left for work. Our conversation that afternoon about not getting off until we were back together hadn’t helped matters much, so to say I was on edge would have been an understatement.

When I rolled up to Cunningham’s for dinner with my brothers on Friday night, I was beyond irritable, but Marshall’s amused smile was almost enough to temper me back down to something passable as social.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all week,” he said, leaning back against the booth and sipping at his wine.

“Is that so?” Finn asked. He looked tired, and I realized it had been too long since I’d spent time with him one on one. It was too easy to get swept up in the magic that was Lincoln, but I needed to be better about not forgetting the other people in my life. I also had two missed calls from Andrew on my phone, and I swore to myself I’d call him back over the weekend.

Marshall answered with a noncommittal sound, and I didn’t know how…but without a doubt, he somehow heard about me making partner.

“How have things been?” I asked Finn, knocking my elbow into his.

“Peachy.” He popped his lips on the P and raised his brows mockingly, and I knew he was obviously anything but.

“Anything you want to talk about?” Marshall asked.

“No, but thanks, Dad.”

“Be nice,” I warned.

“I was too nice,” Finn snapped. He paused and cleared his throat. “Can you let me up. I’ve got to piss.”

Against my better judgment, I moved to let Finn out of the booth, and no sooner had my ass hit the leather seat did Marshall and Smith send me matching—and equally judgmental—looks.

“What?”

“Go after him,” Smith said.

“He’s just going to take a piss,” I said.

Marshall pursed his lips and shook his head at me, disappointment clear.

“Oh, my God.” I climbed out of the booth and gave them both the finger. “Fuck you and your meddling.”

I made it two steps away from the table before deciding to backtrack, picking up my and Finn’s drinks. “I made partner by the way,” I said to them both, turning on my heel and chasing after Finn.