Chapter 38
38
LINCOLN
“Afternoon.” I yawn. It’s been three nights since I visited my yaya and still sleep evades me.
My head is reeling.
I keep seeing flashes of purple everywhere. From the fresh flowers in reception this morning to the tie my father is currently wearing.
It’s just a color, Linc. It doesn’t mean anything.
I swear I’m losing my mind.
“Still not sleeping?” my dad asks as I amble into his office.
“Nope.” I sit down on his black leather sofa and close my eyes.
A familiar scent that smells a lot like Violet’s perfume assaults my nose.
“Well, you had better pull yourself together because we have a staff meeting at four this afternoon. All of the management team will be in the ballroom in an hour.”
“Do we?” I pop one eye open.
“Yes. Did you not see the email I sent last night?” He leans against his desk and crosses his legs at his ankles. “You are a complete shit show.”
He’s right and I’ve mentally checked out. My dad was supportive at first when I returned to work, but he’s losing his patience with me.
“I’m fine. I just need coffee.”
Or a double shot of a California girl named Violet.
I pick up a cushion from the sofa and smell it.
“What are you doing?”
“Something smells nice.” Like fresh pear and Violet. I’m fucking losing it.
I put the cushion down and pull my heavy frame off the couch. “See you in an hour, then.”
“Get your shit together, Linc. And for the love of God, will you shave?”
I run my hands over my face. He’s right. I don’t suit a long straggly beard and I’ve not had a haircut or shave in almost four weeks. “I’ll go do that now before the meeting.”
“Good idea, and maybe brush your hair.”
“Do you think Vincent will have time to cut it before our meeting?” I always use our in-house barber. He does the best job, but you have to book weeks in advance. He’s very in demand.
“I will call him now and tell him you are on your way. Go.”
“Thanks.”
“And Linc?”
I turn back. “Yeah?”
“It won’t always feel this bad.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Everything worked out for you and Eva.”
“It wasn’t always easy, though. Remember when her father broke my nose? ”
“How could I forget?” That night was awful.
“But it worked out. Things always have a way of working out.”
“You keep saying that, but my girl lives five thousand miles away.” So that is never going to happen. “And she’s not my girl anymore,” I mumble.
“Go,” my dad instructs.
I straighten my tie and smooth my suit jacket down.
“Have a good day, Lincoln.” He winks at me with a twinkle in his eye.
He’s been annoyingly happy since he married Eva.
“Yeah, whatever.” I give a one-shoulder shrug and leave his office.