Then don’t.
But what if I want…more?
More what? More sex? More dates? More than his body?
All of the above?
I don’t think it’s possible for you two to have more sex without your vagina somehow falling off. But…if you want more, then go for it. Just take things slow. Men like Lincoln spook easily.
I don’t think we can move much slower. It’s been five months, and we’re in the same spot.
Her reply comes a second later. Because you built a fence around your relationship. Tear that fence down. Mix things up. Show him he’s more than short term and you’re more than a nursing student.
You’re right.
I always am.
“Adley.”
I put my phone away and stand up. “I’m sorry, what?”
Mo tilts her head to the side. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I am now.” Plastering on my best smile, I run my hand over Mo’s dress. “I still like the first one better.”
“Me too,” Claire, Tess, and Mo say at the same time.
We all laugh, and Mo steps back into the dressing room. “Two dresses down, twenty-two to go.”
Oh boy.
5
Adley
Lincoln’s truck isn’t in the driveway, and for a split second I consider turning around and heading home. But that would be the cowardly way out. I am many things, but a coward isn’t one of them. Plus, I drove all the way here for the second time today, and I really don’t want to drive back home.
And Abby is right; if I want more from Lincoln, I have to tear down the wall I built.
Squaring my shoulders, I wrap my fingers around the key to his house, remembering the night he gave it to me.
“I don’t like you driving home this late at night,” he’d told me.
“What would you have me do?”
“Stay here. It’ll save you time—time you can use to study—and you won’t have to get up as early and drive another hour back here.”
I blinked. “You want me to stay here? All night?”
He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal, but it was a big deal, and when I didn’t immediately answer him, he said, “It was just a suggestion. Take it or leave it.”
“I’ll take it,” I blurted, before he had time to rescind the offer.
“Yeah?”
“Absolutely. You’re right. It’ll save me a ton of time.” And I’ll get to see you more.
Lincoln pulled a kitchen drawer open and rooted around until he found what he was looking for.