Loving the Best Man (Friends & Lovers Book 2) (28 page)

“I’m sorry that I had such bad tunnel vision that I never suspected anyone but Marley,” Emerald said.  “I feel so stupid for not thinking of Casey at all.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“I’m lucky. I’m damn lucky that you were here for me. If not for you…”

“It’s okay,” He assured her.  “I don’t want you to make a big deal about it.”

“You had my back and you welcomed me into your home. That’s a
very
big deal.”

“Not to me,” He said, making her flinch. He took her hands and kissed them once more, soothing her. “I love you, Emerald. There isn’t a thing that I wouldn’t do for you.”

She immediately felt light headed and sunk back into the pillows on the couch, her heart once again pounding in her chest.

Mouth dry and eyes round and wide, she opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t get any words out.

“It’s okay,” Lincoln said, a sad smile on his face. “I don’t expect you to say it back. Damn I’m messing this up. I told myself to move slow if you gave me another chance.”

“But Lincoln-”

“I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for you,” He said, letting go of her hands and standing up. He walked away, going all the way across the room to the window. With his back to her he sighed heavily. “I can’t hold it in anymore. I’m sorry, Em. I don’t want to overwhelm you.”

“Lincoln…” She tried to shimmy into a sitting position but only succeeded in sinking further into the pillows.

He continued to speak as if she hadn’t spoken.

“We’ll go as slow as you need to go. I swear. And if -and when- you’re ever ready to take the next step it will be completely up to you. No pressure. I swear.”

He turned to face her, looking grim, his fair skin turning redder and redder by the second. He took a few steps towards her but didn’t come any closer.

“Lincoln, listen,” She tried again, the pulse in her neck throbbing intensely. Her face cracked into a grin and she looked up at him from her awkward position. “First of all, please help me sit up.”

Wordlessly he rushed over and helped her get comfortable again. Once she was sitting up, he took a hasty step back.

“I know it’s only been a few weeks, Emerald. I don’t want to scare you away-”

“I love you too,” She blurted. 

His mouth dropped open and he just stared at her, unmoving.

She giggled for a second only to stop as her aching body protested.

“Lincoln, say something!” She insisted, smiling, although she was nervous. “I just told you I love you!”

“I love you too!” He said, kneeling in front of her and leaning forward to quickly kiss her lips. “Oh God, did you really just say you love me?”

“Yes,” She said, not realizing that she was crying until she felt the hot tears spill down her cool cheeks.

He put a hand on either side of her face and kissed her again, so softly and sweetly that it simultaneously caused a pang in her heart and made her tears fall faster.

“I can’t believe you love me,” He whispered against her lips. “I feel like I’m dreaming.”

“I do,” She whispered back. “I love you with all my heart, Lincoln.”

Her honesty scared her but she felt in her heart that she was doing the right thing. Lincoln kissed her again, his tongue slowly gliding between her lips in a tender stroke. 

When he pulled back, the love that shone from his eyes was so clear and obvious that she wondered why it had taken her so long to see it. She knew she just hadn’t been ready. She hadn’t been prepared to risk her heart and fully give herself to him. But to keep fighting it meant misery for them both and their love was worth the risk. Their love deserved a chance. She’d finally opened her eyes and her heart. 

“I can’t promise that I’ll get everything right,” She said, wiping tears away. “I know I’m going to make plenty of mistakes.”

“Nobody’s perfect,” He said quickly, using his thumbs to finish wiping her tears. “I don’t expect you to get everything right.  I hope you understand that I will make some mistakes of my own.”

“I know,” She said, her breathing still uneven.

“And we’ll still go at your pace. We’ll move as slow as you want.”

“Good.” She gave him the widest, brightest smile that she could muster, feeling blissful inside despite all the physical pain that she also felt.

“You know,” He said, staring off for a few seconds before his eyes met hers again. “You told me that you didn’t need to be rescued-”

“Let’s not bring that up,” She said, shaking her head. “I was being stupid.”

“But when you said it I wanted to tell you that
I’m
the one who needed to be rescued. Because I can’t live without you.”

Tears shone in his eyes and despite her bruised ribs, she managed to get her arms around him for a loose hug. She leaned against him and closed her eyes, feeling his heart thudding against her.

“I love you,” He said, kissing her forehead.

“I love you, too.” Her heart had begun to settle and she continued to smile.

“I love the sound of that,” Lincoln said, his thumb stroking back and forth over her cheek and chin. “I’m sure I’ll get used to hearing it in no time.”

“And I’m sure I’ll get used to saying it,” She teased.

“You’d better,” He playfully warned, getting up to sit on the couch. He gently pulled her feet up onto his lap, mindful of her injured leg, and leaned his head back.

Lincoln took her hand in his, threading their fingers together. It was a remarkable feeling to know that she was loved and to feel secure about that love. She smiled, truly content for the first time in her life. Yes, she was injured but that was temporary. Once the injuries had healed and the scars had faded, she’d still have Lincoln.

Life wasn’t perfect and it never would be. Of course there would be times that she would screw up and he probably would too. But when hard times came, they’d have each other. And knowing that, deep in her heart, meant everything to her. She’d finally accepted herself and that had allowed her to accept Lincoln into her life. With him by her side she knew she could face anything.

About the Author

Jaye Diane is a poet and novelist who is gradually expanding to the ebook market. For more information on the author go to
Jaye Diane@Amazon
or
Jaye Diane@Smashwords
. All feedback is appreciated and valued. Please rate or review this book.

Also by Jaye Diane

Love.Lesson.Learned-The Life of Mara Andrews Book 1

Her Baby Secret-Friends & Lovers Book 1

Connect With Me

Jaye Diane on Twitter

Jaye Diane Facebook Page

Upcoming Books

Love.Lesson.Lost.-The Life of Mara Andrews Book 2

Taking a Chance-Friends & Lovers Book 3