Ending Link (Link Dane 2)

NINETEEN

Nineteen

I was unsure of what to do with myself. I had allowed for this whole burger adventure to run its own course, almost letting things happen as they happened but now it was getting to a point where I was questioning everything.

We had long finished our meals, long finished paying and now it was time to go. Did we all leave together now? Lucian looked like he wanted to take Lexie someplace else but Lexie, with her own strange reasons was clinging onto me and showing no sign of cooperation. It was clear that she didn't want to go with Lucian.

And then there was Link. And Joy, who had her small hand entwined with Link's tattooed fingers. I was shooting my daughter some looks. I couldn't deny that a part of me was annoyed at how she was acting. She barely knew Link but she was making it seem like he was the only person on earth right now. Did she not pay attention to anything I drilled into her about stranger danger?

"I'll take you girls home," Link said, already walking towards the door with Joy.

I was also unsure at how my heart eased knowing Link had Joy. He could take care of her and not one ounce of worry wafted through me like it usually would. I followed closely behind, Lexie clinging onto my arm as Lucian trailed behind.

"I could do with a bath then straight to bed," Lexie said out loud, making it clear she wanted Lucian to hear her words. She had no intention to go with him.

"You can do that at mine." He said back, so calmly and with his no-bullshit tone. I flipped my head around to see he looked calm as well. He didn't care if I heard him. He was just being so straight-forward.

I turned to look at Lexie and saw a wild flush overcome her face. She looked straight ahead, not saying anything back to him.

It was clear something more happened with Lexie and Lucian because my best friend was never left to this state when it came to men. Ever. Even after her wild one-night stands.

We got outside and I saw Link already leaning against the car, and an animated Joy speaking up at him.

"I'll see you later," Lucian said behind me. For a second I thought he was speaking to Lexie until her warm hands were removed from my arm.

I gasped as I watched Lucian carefully, albeit purposefully pull Lexie towards him. "We have talk about your favour."

Lexie snapped her head up at him. He was a tall man, and Lexie was tall herself but he towered her. "No worries." She said cheerily, sounding all sorts of fake.

I furrowed my brows at her. Just a moment ago she was adamant not to go with him. But then I saw the change overcome her.

And there stood my best friend, reminding herself no man should be able to put her in such a state where she would run away.

I blew her kisses. "See you later," I repeated Lucian's words. "Or not," I added with a wink.

I opened the door for Joy, motioning for her to get in. After she was all strapped in, I moved to close the door. Her tiny hands reached out for my arm.

"Mum, could I please have your phone?" Her perfect voice and perfect manners always threw my off and I melted. For her, anything. I dug inside my bag and unlocked the phone for her. The rest she knew.

I closed the door and got in front. By now, Link has already seated himself behind the wheel, waiting patiently for me to get in.

"You're getting so comfortable," I told him with a roll of my eye.