Single And In Love With My Fake Boyfriend (Single Girls Club #1)

Chapter Thirty-Five

Callie

I’m groggy as I shut my alarm after snoozing it three times. Ugh. Why do I have to go to work today? I just want to lie in bed and think about Lincoln all day.

We haven’t spoken in a few days, but we’ve texted a little. I’m a bit bummed, but I understand that he’s giving me space. He wants me to decide if I want to have a relationship with him. I’m glad he’s giving me the time to focus on what I need.

And you know what I want? It’s him. Only him.

Of course there will be obstacles. He’s a famous football player and I’m just a simple person—so not what many would expect his girlfriend to look like. But you know what? I don’t care. I’ve had a crush on him for years and it never really went away. I just thought it did. There’s a reason why I was so obsessed with him in high school. Because even as a young teen, I knew he was special to me. A potential boyfriend.

I’m excited to learn if we could have a future together.

But I can’t think about this now. I need to get ready for work. My roommates have already left, which lights a fire under my butt because I’m usually among the first to leave. I can’t be late. Becca will kill me. And no, I will not use my hottie boyfriend as an excuse.

I fly out the door, get in my car, and zoom toward the office. I smile as I read Lincoln’s good morning text. It’s the same one he sent me over the last few days, but it never gets old. I can totally get used to this.

Traffic is crazy this morning, but I manage to get to the building in time. Plopping down on my chair, I heave a sigh of relief.

Julia glances at me with a raised brow. “Everything okay?”

I rub my forehead. “Overslept.”

She winks. “Stayed up late with a certain sexy quarterback?”

I just laugh. “Maybe.”

He kept me up at night, as he’s been doing since we kissed—twice!—at his house. I can still feel his lips moving against mine in a passionate, desperate way. I want to kiss him again and again and again.

It’s time to work now, so unfortunately I need to wipe Lincoln from my mind temporarily.

Becca calls me to her office to discuss my article, and it’s a normal work day. Except for the fact that I’m looking forward to lunch. The time moves too slowly, but when it finally arrives, I leap into the conference room with my phone and prop it on the table.

My heart beats wildly in my chest as I press video call. I haven’t seen his face in so long, except on social media. Yes, I might have scrolled through his pictures for hours last night.

His face appears on my phone, his smile so bright and warm it sends a tingle down my spine. “Callie, hey,” he greets.

I give him a wide smile and a wave. “Hey, Linc. How are you?”

“Much better now that we’re talking.”

“Same.” I squint as I take a good look at him. He’s sweaty and he’s not wearing a shirt. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No. We just finished practice and I was about to get in the shower.”

“Should I call back later?”

He waves his hand. “It’s all right. I went to a private area to get away from the guys and be alone. I’ll shower later. I’m really glad to see you. Feels like forever.”

I nod. “Yeah, forever. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too. But I wanted to give you the space and time to figure out how you feel about us.”

Warmth sprinkles throughout my entire body. “Thanks. That’s so kind of you. But you want to know how I feel? I miss you to death and want to see you.”

He gives me such a soft and excited smile that I want to kiss him until we’re both blue in the face. “Yeah? I want to see you, too. But are you sure you’re ready to be in the public’s eye? It’ll be for real this time.”

“Yes, I’m more than ready. And I want to see you in person so badly it’s killing me.”

He laughs softly. “I feel the exact same way.”

“Want to go out tonight?”

He raises both brows. “Our first real date?”

“Yes!”

He rubs his chin, his wet hair falling into his eyes. I have an urge to push it away. “I want to make it special. How do you feel about going to a fancy restaurant in Atlanta, called Royal Oasis?”

“Oh, you don’t have to splurge on me, Lincoln.”

He bends close to gaze into my eyes. “The only person I want to splurge on is you. I would buy you the world if I could.”

My cheeks feel hot, but in the best way possible. “Thanks, that’s so sweet. Okay, I’d love to go on a date with you to Royal Oasis. I’ll wear something really fancy and I’ll feel like royalty.”

“You’ll look like royalty no matter what you wear. I’m very excited, Callie. I’ll be counting down the hours.”

“Me, too.”

He looks at me and I look at him. Seems like neither of us wants to end the call. I feel so close to him, like the days we were apart made us yearn for each other. Which is crazy because we’re just starting to date for real.

“Um, I should…” I start.

He nods. “Of course. This is your lunchtime.”

“And you need to shower, although I’m digging the sweaty look.” As soon as the words are out, I want to sink through the floor. But then I sit up straight. No, I don’t want to sink through the floor. I meant every word. The man is so darn sexy and I’m allowed to appreciate those muscles and broad chest.

The room is getting super hot.

Lincoln chuckles. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He presses his hand to his lips, then to his phone. “See you later, my beautiful Callie. Enjoy your lunch.”

I blow him a kiss. “See you!”

We stare at each other for what feels like forever before a coworker walks into the conference room. She gives me a look like I shouldn’t be taking personal calls in here.

“Bye!” I end the call.

Good thing my coworker walked in because I’m not sure Lincoln and I would have ever gotten off the phone.

I hum to myself as I return to my desk, take some money, and go to the vending machine for lunch. I don’t stuff myself too much because I want to have an appetite when I go out with Lincoln tonight.

Pressing my fists to my cheeks, I try to stop smiling, but I can’t. I’m so looking forward to tonight that I don’t know what to do with myself. As professional as I need to be to finish my work, I know there’s no chance in heck I’ll concentrate on anything for the remainder of the day.