AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Saving you from a bad decision,” he said.
I wished he saved me from the bad decision before I made it. This was a horrible date. I should’ve returned his call.
“Too late. I already spent two hours with Victor, which I’ll never get back,” I sighed, pushing my food around on the plate.
“That’s your fault,” he shot back without missing a beat.
“Keep reminding me,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.
“I will. I was the better choice,” he said with a grin.
“And you won’t let me forget,” I countered, unable to suppress a small smile.
“Tell me about yourself,” he said, leaning back and studying me with those piercing blue eyes.
“What do you want to know?” I asked, suddenly feeling a little exposed under his gaze.
He placed a dollop of butter on his potato, mixing it in before lifting a large forkful to his mouth. After chewing thoughtfully, he replied, “Everything. Where do you come from, who are your friends, what do you like to do in your spare time?”
“Will you tell me your secrets?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“They aren’t secrets. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know,” he said, lifting his finger to signal the waiter. He ordered a scotch on the rocks for himself and another glass of red wine for me.
“I thought you didn’t want me to drink anymore?” I teased, my curiosity piqued.
“You seem a bit uptight with your arms crossed or is that for another reason?” he challenged.
I uncrossed them, my cheeks flushing as I realized he’d noticed. “I’m not uptight,” I insisted, feeling a little defensive.
“Does that mean you’re a bitch?” he asked, his voice laced with amusement.
“Do you always say what’s on your mind?” I shot back, not sure whether to be annoyed or intrigued.
“I believe in being direct. Now, tell me something about you,” he pressed, leaning in slightly.
“You first,” I challenged, not willing to give in so easily.
“I was born in Manhattan, and I had two brothers—now just one. My brother Michael disappeared last year while on a boating trip alone,” he said, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and bitterness.
The revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. I choked on my own tongue, coughing so hard that Lincoln stood, ready to come around the table, but I held up my hand to stop him. My thoughts raced, piecing together the connection I should’ve seen earlier.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern flashing in his eyes as he sat back down.
“Jesus Christ, Lincoln. I never put the two together. Your brother is Michael Elliott. No wonder your name sounded familiar,” I gasped, struggling to catch my breath.
“My family was on the news several times after he disappeared,” he confirmed, his voice tight.
“You don’t understand. It’s deeper than that. I’m best friends with Morgan,” I blurted out, my heart pounding.
Now it was Lincoln’s turn to react. He grabbed his water glass and drained it, his face pale with shock.
“You know Morgan? She ruined his life. I blame her for his disappearance,” he said, his voice low and filled with anger.
“How the fuck can you blame her? She didn’t tell him to go out on that boat,” I snapped, fury rising in my chest. The urge to slap him for blaming Morgan for his brother’s disappearance was overwhelming.
“She twisted his heart. Seems to be a theme,” he spat, his eyes flashing with resentment.
“Pardon?” I asked, my voice edged with disbelief.
