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Lincoln lets go of the guy’s shirt and grabs my hand. He ushers me through the crowded room and through the front door of the hotel.
As soon as we’re on the sidewalk outside, where I feel like I can breathe again, I burst into tears.
“Jesus,” he murmurs. He pulls me into him and wraps one of his arms around my waist while his other hand goes to the back of my head. It’s soothing there as he sort of pets my hair, and I tremble as I rest my cheek to his chest for a beat. “Are you okay?” he murmurs.
“I’m okay. It was just…” Scary. Horrifying. Lonely. “It was just a kiss.”
“But you said no. He had no right to touch you in any way, and if I wasn’t in town to give the commencement address, I would’ve fucking killed that guy.”
I’m not sure why that makes my heart squeeze in my chest. He defended me. He took care of me. He’s making sure I’m okay. I’m trying to play it off like it’s not a big deal, and he’s assuring me it is.
And something about that makes me snap…but not in the way I’m expecting it to.
Why does he of all people have to be my other half?
I’m not sure, but I’m also not sure I can fight against it any longer.
I draw in a deep breath, ready to confess my thoughts, when he pulls back.
“You okay?” he asks.
I nod, but I find myself unable to speak.
And then my phone starts to ring. I check my watch and see it’s Sam calling.
“I need to take this.” I dig through my purse to find my phone and answer. “Sam?”
I turn away from Lincoln as I take the call, but I sense that he hasn’t moved.
“Hey, JoJo. Listen, everything is fine and I’m starting with that. Let me repeat, everything is fine.”
“What happened?” I ask, a new feeling of panic taking the old panic’s place.
“Jonah was climbing on some monkey bars and fell off. He landed funny on his arm and it looked like a break to me, so we’re at the ER.”
“Oh my God!” I practically scream. “I’m coming home right now.”
“Stop it. You have work to do, and he’s going to be fine. There’s nothing you can do anyway, and you know nobody will take better care of him than me.”
“Except me! I’m his mother! I need to be there!”
“He’s fine. Okay? He’s fine, and you have to cover that speech. It’ll build character for you both. The doctor will be in any minute and I need your consent for treatment.”
“Of course! Yes, treat him. And we have to inform Jeremy. Oh, and call my parents!”
“Already on it. He’ll be fine. Promise,” she says.
She sounds like she’s about to hang up. Oh hell no.
“Don’t you dare hang up, Samantha Reynolds! At least let me talk to him!”
“Of course, hang on.” I hear some rustling, and then I hear my baby’s voice.
“Mom?”
“Jonah! Are you okay, baby?”
“Yeah. It hurts but Sam’s taking good care of me and promised me ice cream.”
