Chapter 4

Meanwhile in New York

 

 

Lincoln looked into the mirror and was happy with who stared back at him. In the last month, he had done a total 180 and changed his style. His clothes were no longer oversized or colorful. They now fit properly and matched. Lincoln hadn’t seen or spoken to Shelia in months. She was an older woman he was involved with who turned out to be Renee’s mother. She was nothing but trouble. After calling the relationship off, he never saw her again. He should have been okay with that, since he was the one who ended things, but for some reason, he wasn’t. He missed her and wanted to hear her voice one more time, but as time passed, he realized it would never happen. The relationship was over, and wherever Shelia was, it was apparent she didn’t want to be found.

With Sheila absent from his life, Lincoln took a serious look at himself. He was incapable of keeping a woman, and he was tired of it. Throughout high school, no girl wanted to date the nerdy kid. Then Electra, his first girlfriend and the love of his life, cheated on him and left him for her lover. Hurt and confused, he hooked up with Sheila. The goal was to forget his pain. What Lincoln had with Sheila was not supposed to be serious. It was only something convenient for the both of them. However, Lincoln developed feelings. Now that another relationship had died, he thought he would change himself, starting with the way he looked. He didn’t want to be alone. He wanted to catch a woman and keep her, and he was willing to do whatever it took to do so.

Lincoln smiled at his reflection. He was pleased with the crisp white T-shirt, dark blue jeans, and white low-top Nikes he sported. He grabbed his blue fitted Yankees hat off his dresser and slapped it on his head. His past relationships were exactly that: the past. He was ready to move on and start from scratch.

Lincoln drove into a McDonald’s parking lot and took his place in line at the drive-thru. After ten minutes of waiting, he became impatient and continuously sighed while shaking his head.

“What the fuck is he ordering?” he asked himself.

He looked out his window at the Nissan Altima two cars in front of him. The driver seemed to be ordering the whole menu. The more Lincoln stared at the car sitting at the intercom, the angrier he became. He took his eyes off the Altima, and they landed on the rearview mirror of the vehicle directly in front of him. The driver looked back at him the entire time. Her hazel eyes were hypnotic and stared deep into his soul. Lincoln felt as though the wind had been knocked out of him. This stranger was the most gorgeous woman he had ever laid eyes on. Her skin was the color of caramel and appeared to be as smooth as silk. Her makeup was immaculate, and Lincoln pictured himself kissing her pouty lips.

While Lincoln daydreamed about the beautiful woman, the Altima finally moved, and the mystery woman followed suit. If it weren’t for the three cars behind him honking their horns, Lincoln would have never snapped out of his daydream and moved up.

He watched the woman order her food, and when she was done, she looked back at him. Once again, their eyes met, and she smiled. Her red lipstick sparkled in the sunlight, enhancing her beauty. Lincoln smiled back, his heart pounding against his chest. This beauty took over his very existence, and within seconds, all confidence and self-assurance vanished. This woman, whose name he didn’t know, had stolen his heart and locked it inside a vault all while dismantling whatever pride he had.

Five minutes later, Lincoln had ordered, paid for his food, and exited the lot. He watched as the lady’s silver luxury car drove down the street and stopped at a light. Without giving it a second thought, he followed her and didn’t stop until she pulled over in front of a corner store. For ten seconds, no one got out of his or her car. They both sat there, waiting for the other to make a move. Lincoln’s mouth grew dry, and his nerves kicked him from the inside out. He wanted this stranger and, without understanding why, needed her. Never had a woman taken hold of his soul without saying a word. That alone scared him. The unknown, undeniable connection and appeal came so strongly it baffled him. This appeared to be love at first sight. The feelings he’d prayed for and set out to achieve had come sooner than he expected, and it paralyzed him.

Minutes passed. It was obvious Lincoln would not or could not budge, so Ms. Red Lipstick got out of her car, and with her arms crossed, she leaned against her vehicle. Lincoln took a deep breath. He knew she made the first move, and although his feet were cemented to the floor, he had to get out. He had no idea what he’d say to her, but he’d think of something. He could not have her wait forever. Slowly, Lincoln got out and hoped she didn’t see the nerves smeared on his face.

“When you started following me, I wondered if you were a stalker. Then I thought about it. You’re too cute to be a stalker.”

There it was, that mesmerizing Hollywood smile. When she flashed her pearly whites, Lincoln became relaxed.

“I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to freak you out.”

“You didn’t. It takes a lot to scare me. Now tell me, what can I help you with?” Her head cocked innocently to the side.

Lincoln stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets and looked over her wardrobe. There was no mistaking she was used to the finer things and had probably never worn a pair of sweats in her life. He could tell she was the type of woman who had a hair appointment every week and never wore the same thing twice.

“Well, since you’re asking, I would love to take you out sometime.”

Without Ms. Red Lipstick noticing, Lincoln held his breath. His nerves increased, and he questioned whether his pride could take another hit if she didn’t agree to go out with him. His ex-girlfriends had done enough damage.

She dropped her arms at her sides and filled in the space between them. The closer she got to Lincoln, the more he smiled. The smell of her perfume, the sound of her heels clicking against the concrete, and the sway of her hips hypnotized him and tossed him in a trance. She stood directly in front of him. Her breath smelled like bubble gum.

“I would love to go out with you. Give me a pen and paper, and I’ll give you my number.”

Surprised yet ecstatic that she agreed to go out with him, Lincoln dug in his pocket for his smartphone and quickly handed it to her. He watched as she punched in her name and number. After Carmen stored her information inside the device, she slowly slid the phone back into his front pocket, her eyes never leaving his. Just before she walked back to her car, she patted his pants, ensuring the mobile device was where it needed to be. The sweet smell of her perfume lingered in the air. Lincoln cheesed like the Cheshire Cat as he watched her drive away.

When her vehicle was out of sight, he looked down at his smartphone. “Carmen,” he read off the screen. “Nice to meet you.”