He gives me a sheepish smile when I open the door.
“Hey.”
“Hey! How are you today?”
He rubs his temples. “A little under the weather, but it was my own fault. I just wanted to check you got my flowers?”
“I did. And I messaged you on Instagram to thank you. I don’t have your mobile.”
“Ah. I’ve been avoiding social media the last few days.”
I belatedly realise I haven’t invited him in. “Do you want to come in? Daisy and I are just hanging out.”
“If that’s okay with you? I’m not interrupting mother-daughter time or anything?”
“Um, no. You do realise my daughter is a bigger fan of your music than I am? And that’s saying something.”
He chuckles. “In that case…”
I usher him in. I’m glad I wasn’t doing anything embarrassing like scrolling through his photos on my laptop. Or playing his music.
Daisy looks up when he enters the living room, and her eyes widen.
“Hi, Daisy,” he says, the way only a guy who has experience with kids would greet a child. “It’s great to see you again.”
“Hi.”
He points to the flowers he sent this morning, which are now in a vase on the hall table. “Did you know these are gerbera daisies? Just like your name?”
She smiles. “Really?”
“Yep. I chose them especially.”
My bones start to liquefy. If only this guy didn’t have so much emotional baggage to process, I’d be putting Daisy to bed right now and throwing myself at him.
“Are you hungry?” I ask. “I can make something.”
“No, no. I mean, I’m hungry, but I don’t want you to cook. How about we order in? What’s your favourite food, Daisy?”
“Pad Thai,” she answers immediately.
“In that case, I think we should get some Thai food delivered.” He pulls out his phone. “Do you have a preferred place around here?”
“Try Phon’s.”
“Do you like curry?”
“I’m easy,” I say, and then blush when he raises an eyebrow and gives me an amused smile.
“Yes, a green curry would be great,” I add hurriedly.
He types into his phone and holds the receiver to his ear. Daisy and I watch, probably with equally smitten expressions as he places the order.
I busy myself by pouring some iced water and carrying it over to the coffee table.
“Can we watch Frozen, Mum?” Daisy asks.
“Oh, I’m not sure Lincoln will want to watch that,” I say.
Lincoln hangs up the phone. “What was that? Did I hear someone say Frozen?”
“Yes! Mum says you wouldn’t want to watch it.”
“Of course I want to watch it! Do you know I can sing all the words to Let It Go?”
I can imagine this situation must be incredibly difficult for him. I’m sure the only reason he knows that song is because of his girls.
“I know all the words, too!” Daisy says, as if it’s the best coincidence in the world.
“Then we’ll have to sing together.”
I press my hands to my chest. I don’t think my heart can take any more of this adorable exchange. I revisit the idea that perhaps I fell asleep weeks ago before my flight to Sydney and never woke up. It’s possible I’m in a coma.
We sit down in front of the TV, and I set up the movie.
Daisy plonks herself on a beanbag on the floor, leaving the couch for Lincoln and me.
I awkwardly rearrange the cushions so we have a couple each to lean on. The armrests are a little worn, and I feel a bit self-conscious about not having a more stylish house to present to him. I know he potentially doesn’t have a lot of money of his own, but I still wish I had some fancy furnishings.
The movie begins, and I try to relax. But who can act naturally while watching Frozen with their daughter and a freaking rockstar sitting next to them?
I try and sit as still as possible, so I don’t accidentally bump him. But then my mouth gets all dry, and I reach down to get a sip of water, and in the process, my arm brushes his. He jumps back in much the same way I did on the plane that time.
I look at him incredulously, and when our eyes meet, I see he’s nervous. Lincoln Page is nervous around me!
The realisation makes me giggle softly.
“What?” he asks, confused.
“Nothing, sorry. I guess I just find this all a bit random, having you here in my living room watching a Disney movie.”
He grins. “I guess that is a little strange.”
“But it’s great,” I hurriedly assure him. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Me, too. It’s nice to do something normal.”
I’m almost afraid to ask, for fear of setting him off, but I’m curious.
“Are you still at your place in Ashgrove?”
He nods. “Probably not for much longer, though. I’m thinking I’ll put it on the market and rent somewhere smaller for a while until I figure out my next move. I’m not sure if Rachel will ask for money for the girls, but I want to have some set aside just in case.”
“But she deceived you!” I protest.
“I know. It might not matter, though. The courts can be funny with that kind of thing. There was a big case where a guy ended up losing a dispute against his ex in the same situation as me, and he had to pay all the expenses, including his ex’s.”
“That’s horrible.”
“I know. In my mind, the girls are still mine, so I’m putting aside my frustration and focusing on what’s best for them. If they need money, I’ll give it to them.”
“You should still fight for visitation rights.”
“Believe me, I’m working on it.”
The food arrives, thankfully lightening the mood a little.
We pause the movie to serve up, and then watch a bit more of Elsa and Anna’s sisterly love.
When Let It Go comes on, Lincoln keeps his promise and sings it word-for-word with Daisy. She’s too shy to join in much, but I can tell it’s made her night. The act seems to take its toll on Lincoln, though, and I can see a wave of emotion cross his face as he sings the chorus.
When it’s over, he abruptly stands. “I have to go.”
“Oh, okay. Of course. I’ll see you out.”
“No, no. I’ll be fine. Thanks for your hospitality. It’s been great.”
He hurries out, leaving me wondering if he’s all right.
I send him a quick message on Instagram, thanking him for coming over, and I give him my phone number for any future communication.
A few minutes later, my phone dings with a text.
Thank you for tonight. You are awesome. The message ends with a daisy emoji.
I re-join Daisy in the living room, saving the number from the text to Lincoln’s name, and beaming a large smile.
Even though the circumstances aren’t ideal, I am so glad the guy is in my life.
EIGHTEEN
Lincoln
I don’t know what made me drive over to Tash’s house and invite myself to stay for dinner, but I’m glad I did. It was the most normal I’d felt in weeks. Tash has such a sweet and understanding nature, I can’t help but be drawn in.