Romance Reset

by Kay Lyons

  Brendan glanced at his watch and pushed his plate away.

  “I’m supposed to meet the guys on the pier to fish. Bree, you coming or not?” Brendan asked. “Jax’ll be there.”

  Amelia watched as the girl struggled to decide, every thought racing across her face and marring her beautiful features.

  “You don’t have to go, sweetheart,” Lincoln said. “Jaxon and Bree broke up not long ago,” Lincoln informed Amelia.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Amelia said to the girl, her heart tugging because of the emotion so readily apparent on Breanne’s face. “You’re welcome to keep us company.”

  “No. Thanks, though. It was nice meeting you,” the girl said to Amelia.

  “You, too. It was lovely to meet you both,” Amelia said.

  Lincoln told the kids to be careful, and Amelia watched as the twins left the coffee shop. Lincoln had said once that they were similar in looks but different in personality, and she could certainly see that was the case. Brendan was his father made over, while his sister was a mixture of Lincoln and, Amelia guessed, Breanne’s mother.

  “Okay, fess up. What was that look about earlier? The statement about the twins when we first got here?”

  Oh, when would she ever learn to keep her mouth shut? “You caught me.”

  “I did. Now what was it?”

  “Honestly?”

  “Always.”

  “It was a moment of regret.”

  “Regret?”

  She struggled to maintain eye contact and, in the end, had to look away. “That they weren’t mine, Lincoln. I looked up and this gorgeous man and his beautiful children walked in and all I could do was sit here and think, What if I hadn’t… It got me, you know? That was the look. Regret and… the shoulda, woulda, couldas—even though we both know it probably would’ve been a disaster.”

  She braved a look at Lincoln and caught the shock rolling over his face before he smoothed his wrinkled forehead and used his fork to poke at the cake remaining on his plate.

  Amelia watched as he set the fork down and turned toward her, braced his arm on the back of her chair.

  “What about now?” he asked. “We’ve had a few dates. Shared a few kisses. You’ve met my kids. The past is the past, but what happens now?”

  She knew why he asked the question. Why he demanded an answer from her. He’d put himself out there once. Asked her, begged her to marry him. She’d hurt him in the worst way and now he was wary. Even though this was only their third date, she had a feeling Lincoln was as drawn to her as she was to him, but he was afraid of getting too close.

  Amelia lifted her hand and lightly touched his cheek, loving the way the stubble felt beneath her fingertips. “I think… I’d like to know what I’ve missed out on all of these years. You?”

  His gaze searched hers.

  “I think I’d like that, too.”

  She watched how his gaze lowered to her mouth and held, the visual caress every bit as tantalizing as the kisses he’d mentioned.

  Amelia bit her lip and dared ask the question in the back of her mind. “Um, I suppose I should tell Marsali not to fix me up anymore?”

  He turned his face into her fingers and kissed them, his gaze back on hers.

  “You should. I plan to do the same.”

  Amelia felt the sting of tears but blinked hard, blaming stress and her upcoming cycle for the sudden rush in response to his words, in addition to the stress of the film schedule on her calendar. “Then I guess that’s what comes next.”

  Time. She needed more time before they broached the subject of whatever came after this. She wanted to now but there was a process. A protocol? The words were there on the tip of her tongue but how would he react? Dating, engagement, marriage, babies. That was the order of things. Because asking a man to father a child on their third date wasn’t exactly covered in social skills, and they couldn’t rush something so precious.

  But she also couldn’t help but wonder—when would be a good time to ask?

  Chapter 11

  Lincoln knocked on Amelia’s condo door the following Friday and waited for her to answer. They’d both had extremely busy work weeks, which meant communication had been done through calls, texts, and a few video chats. Finally the weekend approached and a scheduling change freed her up for an evening out.

  “Coming!”

  He smiled at her response and looked around the hallway. The area where she lived seemed as safe as any other, but he didn’t like the fact the elevators and stairs weren’t keyed with a security code.

  The door opened and Amelia stepped back to invite him in with a smile. She wore a black dress that bared her shoulders and ended mid-thigh. She’d pulled her hair half up with tendrils left loose and wore heels that added length to her long legs. He suppressed a low growl of appreciation and silently thanked Marsali for matching them up.

  “Sunflowers. They’re beautiful, Lincoln, thank you.”

  He handed over the bouquet, but when she turned away, he quickly caught her arm and tugged her close, bent, and stole a kiss from her lips. She tasted minty and warm, and his pulse picked up speed. “You’re welcome,” he said against her lips. “You look stunning, Amelia.”

  He liked that his compliment and kiss left her rosy-cheeked and dreamy-eyed. Things like that did a lot for a man’s ego, and after being a widower and a boring dad, the boost it gave him went a long way.

  “You’re looking pretty handsome yourself. Um, make yourself at home while I put these in water.”

  Lincoln perused her condo while she moved toward the kitchen. The open floor plan and high ceilings made for a nice space with the kitchen, dining, and living area one large room. Patio doors opened to a screened porch with a river view.

  She definitely had a designer’s touch. Her home was warm and inviting, a mix of blues and grays and some light tans that made him think of the varying shades of sky, ocean, and sand without being gimmicky with beach themes so popular in homes along the coast. “This is nice. You did a great job decorating. I might have to have you help stage some of my listings.”

  “Thank you. I like it. Easy maintenance, easy to clean, and close to downtown so I don’t have to deal with traffic, especially for those early-morning shooting schedules when simply rolling out of bed is hard. It works for me.”

  “How many bedrooms?” He asked because of his profession, but given the color that filled Amelia’s cheeks, Lincoln could tell the query took her mind to other places. Places they’d been twenty years ago. His immediately followed and he inhaled in a poor attempt to clear his mind of the temptation she posed and the self-imposed rule of taking things slow.

  “Two. Enough room to have the out-of-town siblings visit one at a time but not for the whole crew to descend at once since my mom and dad downsized and there aren’t enough bedrooms to stay there. Okay,” she said, arranging the flowers. “Done.”

  She crossed into the living area and set the vase on the coffee table. Lincoln tried and failed to keep his eyes on her face and not on her behind and the length of leg revealed as she bent and her skirt inched higher.

  She straightened abruptly and caught him looking, and once again a pretty flush of color filled her cheeks.

  “Um… I just need to grab my bag and I’m ready.”

  He nodded, not going to deny or excuse the desire for her that he knew she’d seen on his features. He couldn’t help it. Maybe it was because of their previous relationship, but he knew that wasn’t entirely the reason. Amelia was more fascinating now as a grown woman, more intriguing, more beautiful. More everything.

  Amelia moved toward a chair near the door and plucked a sparkling purse from the seat.

  “So, where are we going?”

  Drawn back to their plans for the evening, he slowly moved toward her and took her soft hand in his. “You’ll see.”

  He led the way to the door, waiting patiently while she locked up behind them.

  Lincoln drove them to a rooftop re
staurant not far from where she lived. The restaurant overlooked the downtown area and riverfront, and the views were spectacular.

  A guitarist played on the far side of the rooftop, and after placing their dinner order, they chatted about their respective weeks for a few minutes before Lincoln snagged her hand and pulled her onto the makeshift dance floor.

  Back in the day, they danced like the awkward teenagers they’d been, her arms around his neck, his at her waist. Now he held her hand tucked close to his chest, lips at her temple as they swayed in time to the music like the couples did in old black-and-white movies.

  “Did you ever think, twenty years later, we’d be here? Like this?”

  Amelia tilted her head back and stared up at him, and Lincoln found himself lost in the depths of her soft green gaze as she waited for him to answer. “No,” he said softly, his voice emerging gruff. “But now I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

  * * *

  Just when she thought Lincoln couldn’t do anything sweeter, say anything to make her want him more… he did. And the last of Amelia’s reservations about whether or not he was ready for a relationship after the death of his wife fizzled in that very moment.

  It also cemented the fact that she needed to talk to Lincoln. Really talk to him. Open up and tell him what she wanted more than anything.

  Hopefully he’d be on board, but what if he wasn’t? What then? Could she give up her dream of being a mother? Would she be okay with letting go of that dream if the alternative meant losing Lincoln?

  It was crazy how quickly things had progressed between them, feelings and emotions buried for so long resurfacing faster and stronger than ever. The texts and calls and video chats had revealed more of their grown-up lives and had cranked up the level of intimacy since a few of those times they’d been sleepy-eyed in bed just talking about their days and more honest than they would’ve been fully awake and on guard. But all of those talks had been real and heartfelt.

  Amelia tucked her head back into place beneath his chin and closed her eyes, reveling in the moment. The breeze blew the curls she’d left hanging, and they tickled her neck and added to the sensation of being held. His cologne teased her nose, a heart-squeezing mix of her favorites, sandalwood and spice. In Lincoln’s arms, the world faded away until it was just the two of them, alone on a rooftop beneath the stars, swaying their way through the next couple of songs before heading back to their seat when their waitress gained Lincoln’s attention and told him their food had arrived.

  They settled in with their dinner and laughed and teased and shared favorites, feeding one another like couples sometimes do. Amelia had just finished when she heard someone call Lincoln’s name.

  “Hayes, is that you?” a man asked.

  Amelia watched as a man and woman approached them and Lincoln quickly wiped his mouth and stood.

  “John, Priscilla, it’s good to see you.”

  “And you. Who’s this?” John asked, smiling at Amelia.

  “My apologies,” Lincoln said, performing the introductions.

  When Priscilla shifted uncomfortably on her feet and rubbed a hand over her very pregnant belly, Amelia asked if they wanted to join them so she could get off her feet.

  “Of course,” Lincoln said, his hand sweeping out in welcome. “Forgive my manners. Please, join us.”

  “Oh, thank you,” Priscilla said once she scooted in by Amelia. “We’ve been standing at the bar for a while, waiting on a table. You’re so sweet to let us intrude on your dinner.”

  “You’re fine,” Amelia said to her.

  “Have you and Lincoln been together long?” Priscilla asked.

  Amelia glanced at Lincoln and found his gaze suddenly focused on the interior of the restaurant. The restaurant was crowded, but she knew Lincoln had heard the woman’s question. Was Lincoln uncomfortable being seen out on a date? She supposed for a widower of several years, it would be an adjustment. “Um, no, not long. When are you due?” Amelia asked the younger woman, guessing her to be in her mid to late twenties.

  “Not for another month,” Priscilla said. “Never again will I be pregnant in the summer in the south. Not if I can help it.”

  “I’m sure the heat makes it difficult,” Amelia said.

  “I’ve been living in the pool just to keep cool and attempt to stay in shape. This is our second. It’s another boy, so we hope the next one will be a girl.”

  “Hey, now. One at a time there, sweetheart,” John said, eavesdropping on their conversation.

  Amelia turned to study Priscilla’s husband and guessed John to be her and Lincoln’s age. It struck her how different the two men were. Lincoln with his grown kids and about to have an empty nest while John and his young wife were just starting and apparently not finished yet.

  Where would Lincoln fall when she finally worked up the courage to broach the subject of children?

  Unease settled deep within her. She couldn’t continue to put off this conversation. At the same time, though, she didn’t want to ruin things between them when they were going so well.

  “She hasn’t had this one and she’s working on the next. Babe, just ask Lincoln here why God gives parents teenagers,” John said to his wife. “You might not be in such a hurry then.”

  Priscilla looked at Lincoln with an inquiring smile.

  “It was a bad day several years ago,” Lincoln stated. “I didn’t mean it, but John has never let me live it down.”

  “But he said,” John continued, seemingly determined to tell the story since Lincoln wasn’t, “that God gave parents teenagers so they wouldn’t mind it when they left home. We’ll have two teenagers and you’re already wanting to add a third? Lincoln is over here counting down the days until his kids go off to college. Where was it you want to go again? Scotland? Or did you switch back to New Zealand?”

  “I haven’t decided,” Lincoln said.

  “But he’s ready to travel and have some fun,” John added.

  “Yeah, well, whatever.” Priscilla laughed and shrugged. “I’m not the only one wanting a girl. You know good and well you want a baby girl you can spoil rotten. And I’m sure Lincoln was looking into those trips because he’s going to miss his kids when they’re gone. Right, Lincoln?”

  Lincoln smiled and winked at Priscilla but didn’t give a definitive answer, Amelia noted, her heart sinking at the awareness.

  “We’re just teasing you, honey.”

  “I know. Just like I know we’ll keep trying for a girl,” Priscilla said pointedly. “Every mother should have the chance to buy the frilly little dresses and bows and shoes.” To Amelia, Priscilla said, “Trust me, our house needs more estrogen to even out the testosterone.”

  “You had the right idea,” John said to Lincoln. “Twins on the first try. One of each, and boom—done. You’re going to be sitting on a beach somewhere enjoying life while I’m still changing dirty diapers.”

  “You’ll get there eventually,” Lincoln said. “It happens before you know it.”

  Amelia listened and watched Lincoln’s responses to the conversation until the men began discussing real estate. Priscilla murmured an apology when she had to answer a text from their babysitter, and Amelia found herself sitting there silently, wondering how it was possible to want both worlds. She’d love to explore the world with Lincoln at her side, but she’d also love a home full of giggles and little-boy engine sounds.

  The restaurant noises faded away as Amelia retreated into her thoughts even more. Her appointment at the clinic was coming up fast, every day that passed disappearing more rapidly than the one before it. She had to make a decision, but to do that, she needed to know where Lincoln stood on the matter of parenthood. Know where they stood as a couple. Would they see eye to eye about starting a family? Or was Lincoln “one and done” because he and his first wife had the twins?

  Given the conversation that had just taken place, did she already know the answer?

  Chapter 12

  “Play
your cards right and he’d agree to just about anything right now,” Carter said from somewhere nearby.

  His son’s laughter followed the statement and pulled Lincoln from his dazed state. He focused on his son and brother. “I was listening.”

  “Uh-huh,” Brendan said, grinning.

  “Look, here’s a bit of advice. If your uncle suggests it, I don’t recommend trying it,” Lincoln said to Brendan. “And you,” he said to Carter, “need to remember Piper will be around at least another fourteen years for me to pay you back for whatever you’re trying to instigate.”

  Carter chuckled at the warning and flipped the burgers on the grill. “So you going to tell us how things are going with Amelia?”

  “No.” Because how could he after last night’s strange ending? Their date had started off fine. Drinks, dancing, dinner. They’d laughed and talked and done more than a little contact flirting, with brushes of fingertips and light, stroking hands that couldn’t linger due to their public presence but got the point across. Until—

  “Come on, Dad. She seemed nice enough or you wouldn’t have introduced her to me and Bree.”

  “Agreed,” Carter stated in a low voice. “Because most guys would keep the hotties away from the kids for the first few months at least.”

  Maybe he should’ve. After last night’s quick exit into her condo, Lincoln wondered if maybe he’d rushed things. Rushed Amelia. Because why else would she go from warm and welcoming to silent and distant so quickly? Had he said something he shouldn’t? He tried to review the various conversations in his mind and all had seemed good until Priscilla and John had joined them at their table.

  He’d been uncomfortable at first, knowing John wouldn’t keep Lincoln’s dating status to himself but would share with the others in his real estate company. The last thing Lincoln needed was his employees and colleagues focused on his love life rather than their jobs. Had Amelia sensed his unease and taken it to mean something else?