Chapter 14: Linc - My Turn for a Plan!

Linc drove home from meeting with Thad and Paul and had to find a way to act normal around Steph. When he arrived, he claimed to be feeling poorly and he went to bed early. Steph was just as glad to avoid him for the evening.

Linc paced his bedroom floor. How would he approach this? Slowly, a plan of action came into focus and by the time he finally fell asleep at 3:00 AM, he knew exactly what he was going to do.

Linc called Dany on Monday morning from his office. This was the first and most important thing on his “to-do” list. They met at Dany’s house at 2:00 PM. Linc would be able to accomplish what he wanted and still be home in time so Steph wouldn’t suspect anything was wrong.

Linc told Dany of the plot that was uncovered. Dany was shocked for sure, but she felt relief from a huge weight she had been carrying. What Linc told her next took her breath away.

“Dany, the weird thing is – the whole time I was with Steph and planning a life with her, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

“Why would you think of me?” Dany’s hopes and dreams rushed back into the realm of possibility.

“I can’t believe how much of an idiot I am.”

“Yes, you are. But why?”

“Because I love you, Dany! I have for years and have been too scared to tell you. You’re my best friend and I never wanted that to change. If I had a functioning brain on all things love-related, I would have realized how great a foundation we have for our love. That’s—if you love me too?” There it was. Linc said it and waited for an answer with more fear than he ever remembered experiencing.

“I’m an idiot too, Linc. I’m madly in love with you and have been for a long time. When you told me you were marrying that bitch, it felt more like a dagger to my heart than anything I’ve ever encountered.”

They kissed for the first time. And also for the first time, Linc learned the difference between a passionate kiss of lust and a kiss filled with love, promise, commitment, and deep connection.

They talked for several hours as Linc unfolded his plan. Dany was completely and excitedly on board. For the first time in a long time, Linc felt like everything in the world was right, even though he had some unpleasant tasks before him.

The last major pre-wedding task was scheduled for Thursday night. It was supposed to be a bachelor party so Steph wouldn’t suspect anything. The participants were a bit unusual, though. The normal attendees included Linc’s best man Bernard, and groomsmen Thad, Rick Smith, Brad Jenkins, and Teddy Longwood. Fran Dykes would be there too. He was a friend of Linc’s and also happens to be the A/V guy for the wedding.

The last participant was not a usual bachelor party participant and the gathering would be in his office - Pastor Wells. Linc had prepared the pastor ahead of time. He wasn’t entirely happy with Linc’s intentions, but you make some allowances for your most wealthy member. And, being honest, he saw compassion and a certain elegance to Linc’s plan.

Everything was prepared.

Back to the wedding, Linc is acutely aware that Steph now realized that her plan was exploding in her face. Linc continued his address to the crowd.

“Friends, I’ve been able to see some of the messages Steph was sharing with her co-conspirator.”

Fran projected a selection of the text messages between Steph and Paul. Steph initially didn’t see them and wondered why the crowd gasped. The screen betrayed her secrets.

[Steph] Think I’ll get the ring tonight

[Paul] Why

[Steph] Promised butt if he asks. He told me to bring KY

[Paul] You hate butt

[Steph] Anything for ½ billion

[Paul] When you finally dump him I’m gonna make him hurt

Linc continued.

“When you read this you may assume I asked for a special favor. Not only did I not, but Steph and I have not been intimate.”

Steph’s family looked mad, but Linc wasn’t sure who they were mad at. He noticed they were focused on her.

“Just a week ago, Steph texted what you see now.”

[Steph] A week until we’re rich.

[Paul] Awesome. Almost there.

[Steph] Yippee. Anyway, need to stay quiet on texts for a while.

[Paul] Getting risky?

[Steph] Don’t want to risk the dork finding out.

[Paul] Good thinking.

[Steph] I’ll text from Thailand. We’ll schedule good sex when I’m back.

[Paul] K. Bye.

Steph was panicking. Bernard and Thad each had an arm to keep her from running, fainting, or whatever she may decide to do.

The crowd murmured even more until Linc pushed on.

“I’m sorry to show this to everyone this way. It looks like I’m being vengeful, but I’m not. Well, to be honest, perhaps a piece of me is. But I wanted all of you to understand two things. First, the fact that Steph and I are not being married is based completely on her actions. And second, for Steph to have a heart as hard as her plan and actions would suggest, she has been enabled by many in this room.”

Steph was wailing and crying as her sister helped her with tissues.