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“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 sparkling 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 me to leave.
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.
* * *
I sneak into the ballroom and take a seat near the back, listening in for a moment to get an idea of what the meeting is about.
I didn’t read the email, so I’m unaware of the agenda.
My father is rambling on about plans for the new staff onboarding software, employee responsibility, holiday booking… yadda yadda.
I take a large sip of my strong coffee. God, that is good. I’ve had around ten of these today to keep me fueled. Another night of no sleep and I’m groggy as hell. A large waft of that familiar scent hits me again.
