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I'h to even look at Linc as a potential love interest My walls are still firain Twice burned, and all that But the young and sexually curious part ofat Linc differently

Yes, it bugs the crap out of me And frustrates me And confuses me

Last night, after we ate dinner, Linc inforo out for a bit He didn't invite o with him and I didn't ask where he went The fact that he didn't invite me, particularly when he seems to want me with him at every otherout on a date Which in my mind equates to sex

And yes, that bugs the crap out of me, too

I stand froly

"I'o talk to E his attention back to Congressman Burnham

Eo, followed by Nix I assu anyone goodbye

It doesn't takein the lobby, their ar Her face is buried in the crook of his neck and his chin is resting on top of her head They look utterly content with one another, an ehtest bit jealous over

Nope! Committed relationships are for suckers and fools

As I walk up to the personal, but I need to take this opportunity to tell Emily that I'm sorry for what I did

She sees me as I approach and pulls away fro toin her ear He gives her a kiss on the temple, shoots me a wink and then leaves

Emily crosses her arms over her chest and says, "How could you do that, Ever?"

"I know It ful I'm awful And I'm so sorry I did that"

I'm taken aback when she practically hisses at h I trusted you with my family and you abused that You of all people knohat it's like to have a friend abuse your trust"

I don't knohat to say to that She's talking about esthe two scenarios, but the abuse of trust is the saht now

"Lay off of her, Emily She said she's sorry"

I spin around and see Linc behindat Emily and I'm shocked into further silence Linc is the last person that should be speaking up for me

"Fine," Emily huffs "But if she screws you over a second ti to me"

Emily walks aithout another word toin my eyes and I blink several times to push them back I never once considered how ht now

Linc lays his hand onthat feeling from him "Don't worry about Emily She'll cool down"

I look into his eyes and they are filled with kindness Kindness that I don't really deserve and I a so nice to me?"

Linc squeezes hs "I'ive you any reason to write a bad article about et some lunch"

Linc turns to walk toward the elevator but I grab his hand to stop him He reflexively squeezes mine back My skepticism has now morphed into utter confusion over thisnice to me? I don't deserve it"

He tilts his head at me in sincere curiosity "Why don't you think you deserve it?"

"Because of what I did to you I'm the last person in the world you should be nice to"

He looks at ize to me?"

"Yes"

"Were you truly sorry?"

"Yes"

"Are you putting forth an honest effort to get to know the real me?"

"Yesbut--"

"Well thenwhy shouldn't I be nice to you? I' you the benefit of the doubt, why don't you do the same for me?"

I feel a little of the guilt that I've been harboring ease up in my chest His words are so simple, yet they have a major impact on me A smile overtakes my face, one that I am powerless to hold back

He answers me with a smile of his own, but it is different than mine It actually looks predatory in nature, like the way I iazelle My insides squirm Linc steps in close to me, so his next words are fora lesser lasses and smiled at me like that, it would topple me"