Page 83 of Carry On (Love Doesn’t Cure All #4)

LINCOLN

I’m not made to watch the fucking sun rise,” I muttered into my coffee mug.

“I’m sorry,” Nash apologized through a yawn. I was wildly envious of his ability to stay home. I wanted to be in comfy clothes with a long nap in sight. What I wouldn’t have given to stay home in bed with him all day.

“I’m not,” I admitted honestly. While I was exhausted from staying up all night with him, it was the best date I’d ever had.

And for the first time, I felt like we were turning a corner.

Nash was letting me in, sharing pieces of himself I thought I’d never see.

This multifaceted man was built of so many complex and beautiful layers.

I was honored that he was peeling them back for me.

“It was a perfect night, and they invented espresso for a reason.”

I raised my mug in his direction in a silent offer, but he shook his head.

“Don’t drink too much caffeine, okay?” he replied. “Or at least balance it out with some water in there, will you?”

“Mmm…” I hummed as I thought about it a little too pointedly. “I’ll think about it.”

“Good.”

“Anyway.” I set the mug down on the counter and moved across the condo toward him. “I won’t be home until later tonight. We have an office meeting to go over some sort of bullshit.”

“Sounds so exciting.” His fingers curled around the back of my neck, and he kissed me. I circled his waist and leaned into him, enjoying the soft way in which his mouth moved against mine.

“I love you, Lincoln,” Nash whispered.

He what?

I faltered, my eyes flying open to meet his. My brain struggled to wrap around the words he’d just said. A familiar panic ebbed its way into my chest as I tried to come up with the best way to reply.

“It’s okay, baby. I don’t expect to hear you say it back.”

“Nash…” His name was about the only thing I could get out. He kissed me again before I could say more, a little harder and a little more intense.

“Loving someone is an honor, but to be loved in return should never be the expectation for the words,” he said. “Everyone feels it differently, and everyone should say it when they’re ready. I just want you to know how I feel, Lincoln. That’s all.”

“Okay,” I murmured, nodding slowly. His lips touched mine in a slow and gentle kiss, one full of all sorts of unsaid things. And I could feel it. His I love you was the tip of the iceberg that encompassed what he couldn’t put into words.

Somehow, that notion was terrifying.

It was one thing to know that I loved him, but something completely different to know that I was loved in return.

“Okay,” I repeated. I didn’t know what else to say, but he smiled so easily that I believed him. It was okay that I couldn’t vocalize it. Maybe one day, when it’d be more than unexpected word vomit.

He fell silent as I went back to getting ready, my mind spiraling a mile a minute as I did. Thankfully, most of my shit was packed and ready to go already. I grabbed my briefcase and to-go coffee cup.

“I’ll see you later, Lucky,” I said.

“Goodbye, Lincoln,” Nash whispered.