Promised (The Promised Series)

it aloud.
    “My dad informed me last night that someone expressed interest in my hand. He’s going to accept the proposal.” She’s watching my face as she finishes. “I’m going to be married.”
    “W-w-when?” I ask stunned.
    “I haven’t been told that much yet.”
    “Do you love him?” I must be a glutton for punishment, but I need to know. Her answer matters more than I should let it.
    “That’s not how it works in my world.” She informs me as she wipes at the tears coming down her cheeks.
    “Well in my world, it does matter. So please tell me, do you love this guy?”
    She’s quiet for a long time and I’m on the verge of speaking again when she finally admits. “No. I don’t.”
    “Then until your marriage is final, give me this time.”
    “Linc...” She begins softly.
    “No, Wyn. I’d rather have the memories than nothing.” I search her tear stained face as I wait for her to answer.
    “Me too.” She whispers her confession.
    “You’re going to give me a chance?”
    “Yes.” She smiles at me. I close the few steps that are left between us to grab her up in my arms and swing her around. She holds tight to my shoulders and I don’t want to let her go. But she takes a step back and I feel the loss of her body heat against mine like a punch to my gut.
    “Linc, we can only be friends though. We can’t do more than hang out. And as much as I hate it, we have to keep this a secret.”
    “I can do that.” Yeah right! Like I’ll be able to spend time with my dream girl and not fall for her. And damn if I don’t plan on having her fall with me.

Chapter 6 – Wyn
    ~Are you going to turn your back on us?~
    For two hours, I watched Linc interact with the kids at the center. I tried to focus on my own tasks, but my eyes kept searching out the brown eyed boy. And every time I gave in and looked for him, I found him watching me with a sweet smile on his mouth. Then right before he’d turn his attention back to the child he was helping, he’d reward me with a wink. And that simple little gesture caused my cheeks to flame every time. That wink somehow seemed more intimate than a kiss. It stripped me down each time and I felt as if I was standing naked in front of him with all my insecurities on display. And instead of him scrutinizing each and every one of my flaws, he was taking them in and memorizing them so he could add them to the list of reasons why he wants me.
    Now I’m sitting on the curb outside the center, waiting on Dani to show up. Who, by the way, is already twenty minutes late. Linc refuses to leave me here alone so he’s sitting beside me, not more than a foot away, though our hands are resting mere inches from each other. I wish I could have the courage to close the distance and hold his hand. But because of the strict ideals of how a Romani girl should be, I’ve never held the hand of a boy I liked. And I’ve definitely never kissed a boy. And right now, I want nothing more than to break out of that and be a normal teenage girl who can hold the hand of the boy she likes without fear of being looked down upon.
    “So, how’d you like volunteering?” I ask to distract myself.
    “I liked it. They’re good kids.”
    “Yeah they are.”
    “How long have you been coming here?”
    “Since I was a little girl. My Nana Scott used to bring me here with her. She loved to help people and she loved kids. This place gave her a chance to combine those loves.” I tell him.
    “She sounds like a sweet lady.” He turns his head to look at me and smiles. “I’d say you take after her.”
    “That’s what everyone says.” I turn towards him and return his smile. The wind picks up a little and a shiver runs through me because my thin coat is doing nothing to keep out the cold.
    “This is silly, Wyn.” He stands up and grabs my hand to pull me to my feet. “We’re going to wait in my car where it’s warm.”
    He doesn’t let go of my hand as he walks me to the car and places me in the passenger’s seat. Then he swiftly moves around the car and into the driver’s seat, where he starts the car and cranks the heat. Once the heat is warming the car, he grabs both of my hands and rubs them between his larger ones to warm them up. I sit speechless while he does this.
    I’m so wrapped up in the feel of his hands on mine and the comfort they’re bringing me, that I don’t think twice about reaching out to place my palm to his cheek. His hands stop rubbing and his head