Someone Like You by Lauren Layne Book Review
Updated: Jan 17
Someone Like You
by Lauren Layne
Published by Loveswept
Book #3 of the Oxford Series
Lincoln Mathis doesn’t hide his reputation as Manhattan’s ultimate playboy.
In fact, he cultivates it. But behind every flirtatious smile, each provocative quip, there’s a secret that Lincoln’s hiding from even his closest friends—a tragedy from his past that holds his heart quietly captive. Lincoln knows what he wants: someone like Daisy Sinclair, the sassy, off-limits bridesmaid he can’t take his eyes off at his best friend’s wedding. He also knows that she’s everything he can never have. After a devastating divorce, Daisy doesn’t need anyone to warn her off the charming best man at her sister’s wedding. One look at the breathtakingly hot Lincoln Mathis and she knows that he’s exactly the type of man she should avoid. But when Daisy stumbles upon Lincoln’s secret, she realizes there’s more to the charming playboy than meets the eye. And suddenly Daisy and Lincoln find their lives helplessly entwined in a journey that will either heal their damaged souls . . . or destroy them forever.
RATED: 18+ CATEGORY: MOOD:
Steamy #ContemporaryRomance Feel Good
You gotta read the book before you read my review! Spoilers ahead! The GIF above makes sense, I promise!
Someone Like You by Lauren Layne is the third book in the Oxford series, and centers around fan favorite, Lincoln Mathis, Oxfords Sex and Dating editor, and Daisy Sinclair, identical twin of Emma, his friend, and boss's wife. Throughout the series, it's been heavily hinted that Lincoln has some secrets, but I don't think anyone could have imagined anything so brutal. And while we don't get a whole lot of back story on Daisy before this book, we do know that she has changed quite a bit since her marriage, and eventual divorce. No doubt about it, Someone Like You is the darkest of all the Stiletto/Oxford Books.
In terms of originality, this story has got it ... especially compared to the rest of the series. Despite the heartbreaking circumstance of Lincoln's almost-marriage, and Daisy's escape from an abusive husband, the story is wonderful, and it flowed beautifully. It helps that it's separated into parts, to help account for the small time, and location jumps.
I have always really liked Lincoln's character. Incredibly charming, always kind, funny, and doesn't give a crap what anyone thinks. But in the past two Oxford books, it's been heavily hinted that Lincoln has his secrets. All it takes is meeting Daisy Sinclair, Emma's maid of honor and twin sister, for him to recognize he isn't the only one who has his guard up. The fact they recognize it in one another, allows him to be himself, and within 48 of meeting her, shows her his biggest secret, and source of his pain. His fiance, Katie, who is brain dead after crashing her car texting Lincoln a couple of days before their wedding. That is when we find out, Lincoln's legendary playboy status is just a mirage. He really is a heartbroken man, devoted to the woman who was supposed to be his wife. Loyal to a fault. We go from believing he loves women (and sure, he is a good guy ... he likes everyone), to learning how fiercely he loves. It makes it kind of hard not to fall for the guy.
Daisy is an interesting character. She has always been described in the past as beautiful (which she is), charming, bubbly ... a sunny personality. A southern belle. We quickly learn she isn't just all of those things ... she is also a bit broken. Lincoln see's this in her, and recognizes a kindred spirit. When in Daisy's point of view, it's clear her marriage was awful, but we don't learn the true extent of it until Lincoln does ... when he see's her ex go to hit her. And while the physical abuse only happened a few times before she divorced him, the mental and emotional abuse was near constant. It's no surprise she has a hard time trusting men. The only thing I dislike about her, is her name. I know. It's silly. But I have twin daughters ... for the life of me I don't get why their parents named one Emma and the other Daisy.
It's obvious these two are perfect for each other from the moment they meet. They just click. They see themselves in one another, and it makes them instantly comfortable with one another ... which they both needed. Their witty banter, and the fact they were able to let each other in behind their walls, it was natural they would eventually fall for one another. They needed each other to heal from their past pain. Lincoln protecting Daisy when her ex came by and went to hit her, and how gentle and kind he always was with her, helped her trust a man again. And Daisy's understanding and patience with Lincoln mourning the death of his fiance ... well, lets just say its the first time in the Stiletto/Oxford books that I ugly cried. Even when he panics and breaks her heart, she understands, tells his to be happy, and leaves. When he went to Kate's grave to say goodbye I totally lost it.
One of the best things about this book was the epilogue. It was written in a way where it could have concluded the series, and in a small way, it does. as the next two books centers on a different group within Oxford, but we still see the originals every so often. Lincoln and Daisy are happily married, and Daisy had just given birth to boy/girl twins. They are over the moon happy. When Daisy has a moment and wonders if he is ever sad he isn't doing this with Katie, his answer is simple, in that he couldn't imagine marriage and having babies with anyone but Daisy. They are both so happy, I ugly cried with happiness. We also learn a bit about the other couples. Jake and Grace have a son now, Riley and Sam have had their second daughter, Cole and Penelope are happily married, and by the way they were mooning over the twins, I wouldn't be surprised if babies were in their future, and Jackson and Molly are expecting their first child in a couple of months. While in romances you know there is always a happily ever after, I love hearing little updates. Its one of the reasons I love series novels so much.
In the end, Someone Like You is everything that was promised. I know fans of t he series were not so patiently waiting for Lincoln's story, and Lauren Layne delivered ... as she usually does. This story is equal parts heartbreaking, and heartwarming, and is my favorite of the Oxford series. Probably my favorite of the Stiletto/Oxford series combined! I love it! You just have to read it .... the whole series! Do it!
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Emma: "Lincoln, you know that I love you like a brother, but if you make a move on my sister, I will end you."
Lincoln: "I hope Cassidy knows how lucky he is. You're so delicate and gentle."
Lincoln: “I’m like the stamen.” Emma: “The what?” Lincoln: “The stamen. The pollen-producing part of a flower, Sinclair. Don’t you watch the Discovery Channel? Animal Planet? I just saw a fascinating documentary on bees. See, when the bees land on a flower, their little feet pick up pollen from the stamen-“ Cassidy: “Mathis. Are you talking to my fiancée about semen?” Lincoln: “Stamen. Not semen. Honestly, is sex all you people think about?” Riley: “Yes. And you know, actually, the stamen israther sexual. I saw that bee documentary too, because these are the sort of things you do when you’re nursing a never-satisfied baby, by the way, and the stamen is the flower’s make reproductive organ. Sexy, right?” Emma: “Guys, it’s my wedding weekend. Can we not talk about flower boners?” Lincoln: “Fair enough, bride. What do you want to talk about? Cassidy’s boner?” Cassidy choked into his champagne. Emma: “There will be no boner discussion.”
Daisy: “You must be Lincoln Mathis, The Manwhore of Whom I Should Beware?” Lincoln: “Which would make you Daisy Sinclair, Delicate Flower to Whom I’m Not to Speak.”
Lincoln: “Which, by the way, my speech is awesome, so sorry in advance for making you look bad.” Daisy: “I’m not worried. Rumor has it you got your best man gig in a game of paper football.” Lincoln: “Hey, at least I had to work for it. All you did was share a womb.” Daisy: “Bet I can get more people crying than you tomorrow.” Lincoln: “Their tears are all yours to be manipulated. I’ll be playing the laugh angle.” Daisy: “Hiding your private pain behind jokes. Nice.” Lincoln: “Directing conversation to someone else’s private pain to avoid your own. Nice.” Daisy: “I think we’re going to get along just fine, Mr. Mathis.”
Daisy lifted her glass along with the rest of the room, even as her eyes narrowed on Lincoln. They’d had a dead. She had tears, he had laughs. And then he’d gone for both. That son of a bitch. Hell, even Cassidy looked like he was swallowing a lump in his throat as he went to man-hug his friend. Lincoln caught Daisy’s eye over Cassidy’s shoulder and winked. She let out a little laugh as she sipped her champagne. The bastard. – Daisy
Daisy: “Is it always like that with you?” Lincoln: “It’s like I tried to tell your sister. I’m like the stamen.” Daisy: “A flower penis?” Lincoln: *laughs* “Someone knows their flower parts.”
Daisy: “Does it get old?” Lincoln: “Does what?” Daisy: “Being gorgeous. And irresistible.” Lincoln: “I don’t think anyone’s ever managed to make those two adjectives sound so undesirable.” Daisy: “My immunity to your charms bothers you?” Lincoln: “It does not. It’s rather refreshing, actually.”
Daisy: “I hung it up!” Lincoln lifts a teasing eyebrow. Daisy: “Or you hung it up.” Lincoln: “If it makes you feel better, I turned my back while you stripteased your way out of it.” Daisy: *horrified laugh* “I did not” Lincoln: “I can’t say for sure, what with my back turned and all, but there was quite a bit of humming of what seemed to be Britney Spears.” Daisy groans into her coffee. Daisy: “If this mug were bigger, I’d try to drown myself.”
Daisy: “He really comes every month?” Brenda: “Like clockwork.” Daisy: “You don’t seem happy about it.” Brenda: “I think it’s lovely, but it’s not about me. It’s about Katie. And my daughter would never ever have wanted this for the man that she loves.”
Lincoln: “I figure wine’s my best chance of your sister not deballing me when she finds out you slept in my bed last night.” Daisy: “Don’t worry. I already told her that yes, we left together, but I didn’t violate you.” Lincoln: “You say that because you didn’t see the Britney striptease.” Daisy: “Thought you said you kept your back turned for that.” Lincoln: “Ahh-“ Daisy punches Lincoln in the arm Daisy: “Mathis.” Lincoln: “I may have caught a glimpse before my Gentleman kicked in. In my defense, you whipped that dress over your head fast.”
Lincoln: “Hey baby girl.” The baby girl’s diapered butt rested on his forearm and his big palm around her tiny dark head, but the screaming didn’t stop. Julie: “What do you know. The only single female on the planet that’s not instantly in love with Lincoln Mathis.”
Julie: “All right. There has got to be a statute of limitation on that little mishap.” Mitchell: “Mathis? What say you?” Lincoln: “I say someone above the age of twelve putting a frozen pizza in the oven with the plastic still on definitely deserves a lifetime of reminders on said mishap. And my God, does this baby never stop crying?” Sam: “No, never.”
Lincoln: “She looks more like Riley every time I see her. Acts like her too, with all that noise.” Sam: “Please don’t say that. You forget that I knew Riley all through high school. I don’t think I can handle if my daughter has even a tiny sliver of her mother’s spirit.” Julie: “Spirit. Is that what we’re calling it?” Riley: “What would you call it?” Julie: “Um … vigor?” Riley: “Vaguely sexual. I like it.”
Emma: “Lincoln Mathis. Would you mind telling me what part of stay away from my sister I was unclear on? You realize that I’m about five steps away from a vast array of sharp knives, right? Lincoln: “Ahhh-“ Cassidy: “She did warn you, man.”
Cassidy: “Daisy. Glad you’re here. Can I get you something to drink?” Daisy: “Sure. White Wine?” Lincoln: “No whiskey? Jack Daniel’s, perhaps?” Lincoln starts humming Britney Spear’s ‘Oops! … I Did It Again while Daisy gives him a ha ha look.
Lincoln hops up onto the counter and pats the spot beside him: Lincoln: “Come, Wallflower. Let us look down upon our people.”
Text message exchange: Lincoln: Wallflower. Took your advice about keeping The Ladies away. You’re right, nobody like a guy with a rash, no matter how I swore it wasn’t itchy. Daisy: Tell them that there’s nothing to worry about – that the medicated cream you use shouldn’t cause any irritation unless they’re part of the 2% of the population that’s allergic. Lincoln: tried that the first time. Unfortunately for me, she was a dermatologist. Took it as a turn on. Daisy: Is it hard then? Being so handsome you literally can’t keep them away? Lincoln: So hard, Wallflower. Last night I cried about it.
Daisy: “I haven’t been having dirty fantasies about Lincoln.”
Whitney: “Lincoln. Oh gawd, a great name to go with all that yummy. Sex dreams then. Don’t lie to me, Sinclair, a woman doesn’t spend time with him and not have the most primal part of her wonder about what it would be like.”
Daisy said nothing as she pulled chicken out of her meat drawer.
Whitney: “I knew it. Awake Daisy might have the lust locked down, but sleeping Daisy wants some.”
Daisy: “Sometimes I don’t know why we’re friends.”
Penelope places a plate in front of Lincoln with a chocolate donut with rainbow sprinkles.
Lincoln: “I love you. Leave Cole and marry me.”
Cole: “Don’t even think about it, Tiny.”
Lincoln: “Give up now, Sharpe. I’m irresistible. Right, Pen?”
Jake: “Mathis, your attack squirrel is humping my calf.”
Lincoln: “Toss her an egg roll.”
Jake: “A whole egg roll? That’s as big as she is.”
Lincoln: “So bite it in half, give her the rest. Eh, bite off two-thirds. Give her the last bit.”
Jake: “How about I cut it like a thirty-something man instead of gnawing on it like a hungover frat boy?”
Cole comes over, picks up the egg roll, takes a bite and offers the rest to Kiwi.
Cole: “There you go, baby. Who’s your favorite uncle now?”
Lincoln: “She is hot. But I’m not interested.”
Jake: “Since when?”
Lincoln: “Since now. Seriously, are we here to eat Chinese and play poker, or should I turn on Adele and pour us some rose?”
Jake: “You say that like it’s not a regular thing for you.”
Cole begins singing ‘Rolling in the Deep’ with Mitchell joining in harmony
Lincoln: *laughs* “Jesus. I need another beer.”
Lincoln: “You wanted to see me?”
Cassidy: “Yeah. Come in. Close the door.”
Lincoln: “Should I be nervous? You only ever close the door when you bone Emma in here or fire someone.”
Cassidy: “Would you just … shut the door. And shut up, nobody’s getting boned or fired.”
Cassidy: “What’s with the ball?”
Lincoln: “We were playing Horse in Cole’s office.”
Cassidy: “I thought I got rid of the balls after one of you morons lobbed one across the entire floor, knocking over Jo’s coffee, which then spilled on our very expensive phone system and shorted out her keyboard.”
Lincoln: “Replacement. And speaking of Jo, her stomach’s like a basketball. And not a miniature like this one either. Full-size basketball. You see her lately?”
Cassidy: “No. I’m editor in chief of this magazine, spend eight-plus hours a day trying to stay on top of you hooligans, but no, Mathis, I had no idea my receptionist was six months pregnant.”
Mathis: “Six. That all? I was thinking like … ten.”
Cassidy: “Do us all a favor and don’t tell her that. Give me the ball.”
Lincoln: *tossing ball from hand to hand* “Why?”
Cassidy: “Because you’re driving me fucking nuts.”
Lincoln: “First of all, if I were in a dating place right now, I wouldn’t crash and burn. Second of all, you know by now that I was never a playboy, only playing the part. And third … dude, Cassidy … are you sending me to a farm?”
Cassidy: “Yes, Lincoln. I’m sending you to a farm. Thought you and Kiki-“
Lincoln: “Kiwi.”
Cassidy: “ – Kiwi could sleep in a barn with the pigs. Jesus. I was thinking something more intermediate. Something more medium town, with a touch of Southern to keep things interesting.”
Lincoln: “North Carolina. You want to send me to Charlotte.”
Cassidy: “Strictly optional. If there’s another city you’d prefer, I’m open to it so long as it gets you away from the Northeast and bad memories. But I’ll throw it out there that Daisy’s big old mansion has a fully furnished guesthouse, fancy kitchen, private-“
Lincoln tilts his head back and laughs
Lincoln: “You’re either trying to set me up, or you’re trying to assign me a babysitter. I’m not sure which is worse.”
Cassidy: “It’s neither. Look, I’d never think to play matchmaker so soon after your loss. Neither would Emma. Even if I did, it wouldn’t be Daisy.”
Lincoln: “Why not Daisy?”
Cassidy: “Because she’s just as damaged as you are.”
Daisy: “You know you’re welcome to stay here. There re right bedrooms. You and Kiwi could each have your own.”
Lincoln: “No can do. Ki’s a cuddler.”
Daisy: “Ah. Big spoon?”
Lincoln: “Obviously.”
Lincoln: “You North Carolina girls can’t be that different from New York City girls.”
Daisy: “Can’t we?”
Lincoln: “You’re a southern girl, and I had you in my bed in one night.”
Daisy: “Doesn’t count. You may have had me in your underwear, but you never got me out of mine.”
Lincoln: “Thirty minutes. That’s how long it took us to get the conversation to underwear. We’re weird together, Wallflower.”
Lincoln: “I owe you an apology.”
Daisy: “For?”
Lincoln: “For pulling back. After you left, but before Katie died, I know I just sort of … quit responding to your texts.”
Daisy: “Ah. I understood.”
Lincoln: “yeah. Yeah, see, I figured you understood. That’s the thing about you, Daisy, you seem to understand everything.
Daisy: “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
Lincoln: “Not a bad thing, no. But it’s the reason I had to pull back.”
Daisy: “Because I understood things?”
Lincoln: “No, because you understand me. And it’s been a long time since anyone has.”
Whitney: “We did good, Daiz.”
Daisy: “Oh did we?”
Whitney: “Hey, I cut a lime. Lincoln, baby, did you see me cut that lime?”
Lincoln: “I sure did. None of this would have been possible without you.”
Daisy: “You okay?”
Lincoln: “Sometimes I wish I liked you less, Wallflower.”
Lincoln: “So at what point do I get to learn where I’m headed?”
Daisy: “Soon. Take a right up here.”
Lincoln: “That’s into a parking lot.”
Daisy: “It is? You sure you’re not CIA? Those are some keen observational skills.”
Lincoln: “You sure you didn’t have sarcasm piped straight through the umbilical cord? Because your twin has the same smart mouth.”
Daisy: “Were you actually any help?”
Lincoln: “I said the words engine, belt, and torque steer, so most definitely. You think I should have charged them?
Daisy: “I’m not going to lie, it kind of works for you.”
Lincoln: “What does? Car talk, huh? You like that, Wallflower? Your engines revved?”
Daisy: *laughs* “Save it. But admit I was right. Those women ate up the whole everyman mechanic routine. Don’t worry. I won’t rub it in.”
Lincoln: “Don’t worry. I won’t rub it in either.”
Daisy: “Rub what in?”
Lincoln: “That your plan backfired. The whole dirty towel in the belt thing really did it for ya, huh?”
Lincoln: “No Jack Daniel’s. Does this mean no striptease later?”
Daisy: “The night is young, Mathis. The night is young.”
Lincoln: “It doesn’t feel right. Talking about one woman while out to dinner with another.”
Daisy: “If this were a date, I might agree, but that’s not what this is.”
Lincoln: “Hard to remember when you look like that.”
Lincoln: “You’re the best person I know.”
Daisy rolls her eyes.
Lincoln: “I mean it. Sometimes I think … I don’t know. I think you’re the reason I’m still standing.”
Daisy: “We barely know each other?”
Lincoln: “Liar.”
A sex dream. Not the first he’d had, certainly, but easily the most detailed. And the hottest. Damn it. About Daisy. Even as Lincoln’s brain tried to rationalize that it didn’t mean anything, his hand moved down his body, palming his still-hard cock. He resisted for only a split second before he stroked himself, letting his imagination pick up where the dream left off. Because there was no longer any denying it. He wanted Daisy Sinclair. And if this was the only way he could have her, late at night, with only his dreams and his need … So be it. – Lincoln
Penelope: “Lincoln, you’re very good-looking and everything, even in that ugly T-shirt, but can you please put my godbaby on the screen?”
Lincoln: “Ki loves to Skype, don’t you, baby?”
Penelope: “Cole! Come look at our godbaby!”
Cole: “That’s not a baby. It’s a rat with a bow. Lincoln, why is that rat wearing a bow?”
Cole: “Tell me again how a six-foot-two guy ended up with a five-pound dog?”
Lincoln: “Kiwi was Katie’s dog. I’m just a legal guardian.”
Cole: “Bullshit. You, my friend, are that dog’s beloved daddy.”
Penelope: “And I’m godmother, aren’t I? Hi baby.”
Penelope: “I love the way the Southern girls talk. All soft and feathery. Super-hot. Do you love it, Lincoln?”
Lincoln: “Pen. Do we have to have guy talk?”
Penelope: “Yes.”
The man shouted something, and stepped towards Daisy, and then Lincoln saw it. Saw her fear. Daisy flinched, raising both arms in front of her face as though to protect herself. As though to protect herself. Motherfucker. That was the missing piece of Daisy’s story. She hadn’t just had a bad divorce. The guy hadn’t just cheated on her. He’d hit her. Lincoln knew it with every fiber in his being. It explained the sometimes haunted look in Daisy’s eyes and the way she seemed always ready to run if someone – especially a man – touched her too long. It probably also explained why the bastard had left Daisy with a huge house, two Mercedes’s, and a hefty alimony check. Hush money. He was trying to keep her quiet about the real reason they weren’t together anymore. Because he’d hit her. This Gary bastard had hit Lincoln’s beautiful, funny, kind Daisy. The thought filled Lincoln with a fury he’d never felt before, white and hot and pure. – Lincoln
Lincoln: “You fucking son of a bitch.”
Gary: “What the fuck? You broke my fucking nose.”
Lincoln: “You deserve a hell of a lot more than that broken.”
Lincoln’s hand fisted again, but Daisy leapt forward, grabbing his arm, cupping his fisti n her palms. He snarled, lifted his hand as though to shake her off, but then he looked down. HE swore softly, closing his eyes and breathing in through his nose, as though forcibly trying to calm himself. For her. He was trying not to scare her.
Daisy: “Please. He’s not worth it.”
Lincoln: “No, but you are.”
Gary: “This is him, isn’t it? This is the douchebag Brian saw you with at the bar the other night, wearing a slutty dress, conducting yourself like a damned whore for everyone to see-“
Lincoln: Sorry, Wallflower. Has to be done.”
His fist collided with Gary’s face once more, but this time he grabbed her ex-husbands shirt, hauling him forward when he would have reeled backward.
Daisy: “I’m not entirely broken right now. Just a little bit.”
Lincoln: “You’re not broken. Someone that weak could never break someone so strong.”
Daisy: “I got help right away, and that was huge. Just a little cracked sometimes, that’s all. Trying to figure out how to fill those cracks has been harder than I thought.”
Lincoln: “We’re all a little cracked, honey.”
Daisy: “You ever wonder?”
Lincoln: “Wonder what?”
Daisy: “What will fill your cracks? How to get better.”
Lincoln: “All the damn time.”
Did he know? Did Lincoln know that the more he put her back together again, the more power he had to break her heart? – Daisy
Daisy: “What did your research tell you? Do we Southern girls put out after the first date?”
Lincoln: “Depends.”
Daisy: “On?”
Lincoln: “They guy. The girl.”
Daisy: “Well, this girl is undecided. But should it go well, I wouldn’t want to be caught in my uglies, now would I?”
Lincoln: “You say that as though I’ve spent a fair amount of time thinking about your underwear.”
Daisy: “I didn’t mean-“
Lincoln finger traces along her spine.
Lincoln: “I have. I’ve been thinking about things I shouldn’t.”
Daisy tried to turn, but he spreads this fingers wide on her back, keeping her facing away from him. He slides her hair over one shoulder, leaving her neck bare.
Lincoln: “I’m not good for you, Daisy. No good for any woman, not now. But if I were-“
Daisy: “Lincoln-“
Lincoln: “But if I were … If I were, I’d press my lips here”
His fingers brush the back of her neck.
Lincoln: “I’d kiss you here, and then move around to the side of your neck. Find out of you like being kissed there. I’m torn on what I’d do next. Torn between sliding my hand down here *his finger brushed against the clasp of her bra*, unfastening this, because pretty as the bra is, naked is always better. Or maybe- Maybe instead, I’d push the dress forward, baring your shoulder. And I’d turn you toward me. See if the bra’s as pretty in front as it is in back. Seeing if your body’s as pretty as your face, but I’m damn well sure it is. But if I did that …”
His fingers trail along her side until his hands span her waist.
Lincoln: “If I did that, then I’d have to kiss you. And I can’t kiss you Daisy.”
Daisy: “Why not?”
Lincoln: “Because I won’t stop there. I’d push you to the bed, and take you until you had nothing left to give.”
Daisy: And if I said I wanted that?”
Lincoln: “Don’t.”
Daisy: “Why?”
She tries to turn, but his hands held her firm, fingers digging against her hip bones.
Lincoln: “Because I have nothing to give back, Daisy. Oh, I’d give you pleasure. We’d give each other that. But I’d take absolutely everything – I’d fucking consume you. You’d want something in return, and I’d have nothing. I’m hollow inside, and you deserve so much more.”
Daisy: “You wanted it all once.”
Lincoln: “Yeah. I did. I wanted it so damn bad, and then it was ripped away. And not all at once, no clean head shot. It was like being maimed, having one piece of your heart torn out bit by bit, stretched out over fucking years. If I did it, Wallflower, if I felt that way again, it would be about someone like you. But I can’t. I’m not risking it all. Not even for you.”
Lincoln: “He’s a control freak, Em. I don’t know how you do it.”
Emma: “Easy. I ignore the commands in all places except the bedroom, and there I give as good as I get.”
Nick: “I didn’t pee on your desk, Mathis, but you should know I’m about to pee on this one.”
Daisy: “Wait, what?”
Lincoln: “Wait, you live here?”
Taylor: “She does. And I promptly made her my new best friend, mostly for the purpose of telling her how to ward off the affections of Bastard Ballantine here.”
Nick: “Not sure how you’d have any experience with that. Seeing as you’ve never been the object of them.”
Daisy: “Perhaps you and Nick could take your cat and dog routine elsewhere, hmm?”
Nick: “Which is Taylor? The pussy or the bitch?”
Taylor: “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Daisy: “I wish someone would have warned me that this job came with babysitting duties.”
Nick: “What about dinner later? Are we on for that?”
Taylor: “Yes, Nicholas. Of course, Daisy will go to dinner with you.”
Lincoln: “Hold up. I thought you just said you were warning her off Ballantine’s affections.”
Taylor: “Sure. But that’s before I saw all of this. *waggles finger towards Daisy and Lincoln* And this’ll be way more fun.”
Nick: “You are such a bitch.”
Lincoln: “You’re dating Nick Ballantine.”
Daisy: “I’m … not sure.”
Lincoln: “You’re having dinner with him tonight.”
Daisy: “Okay fine, I’m dating Nick Ballantine. Isn’t that what you wanted, Lincoln? For me to move on with my life? Find someone worthy. Be happy, Daisy, isn’t that what you told me?
Lincoln: “Yeah, but you were supposed to do all that in North Carolina!”
Daisy: “What difference does it make! Here, there, same thing.”
Lincoln: “No, it’s not the same thing. When you were there, I’d have to think about it, but not see it. But this … this …”
Daisy: “What do you want?”
Lincoln glares at her.
Lincoln: “I want coffee. Right now I want coffee and fresh air, and I’m going to damned Starbucks.”
Daisy: “All right-“
Lincoln storms out, almost running over Grace.
Grace: “Hey! You’re back! It’s good to see you, we’ll have to grab lunch and catch up.”
Lincoln stepped back to hold the door open for Grace and then growled a response Daisy couldn’t hear before going to the elevators and stabbing the button with an angry jab.
Grace: “What was that about? I’ve never seen him like that.”
Daisy: “No idea.”
Grace: “Really? Because you seem almost gleeful about his bad mood.”
Daisy: “I think … I think he might have been jealous. He heard Nick Ballantine ask me out, and he got all … weird.”
Grace: “Jealousy. It would explain why I didn’t recognize it. I don’t know I’ve ever seen him jealous before. I mean, the guy didn’t even notice my chocolate chip muffin. The Lincoln I know …”
Lincoln comes marching back in the office. He stops beside Grace and bends down to kiss her cheek.
Lincoln: “Good to see you too, Mrs. Malone. Lunch sounds great.”
Looks at Daisy and smile disappears.
Lincoln: “We’re not done here, Wallflower.”