I close my door and drive off while trying to ignore the pang in my chest.
Lincoln
Well. Shit.I was not expecting her to say no. Not because I think I’m God’s gift to women or anything like that, but because the chemistry between us can’t be ignored.
Except apparently she can ignore it.
Right. There’s that. I watch her tail lights turn out of the parking lot and wonder where I go from here. I actually should have seen this coming. Those walls of hers are still firmly in place.
I won’t ask again. I can’t offer her a serious relationship anyway, and that’s what she deserves. But I will make it my mission to bring those walls of hers tumbling down. Ciara is a beautiful person inside and out. The world would be knocked on its ass if she allowed one hundred percent of her essence to shine through. I want to be the one to coax that beauty out of its cage.
I grab my phone and hesitate before making my next move. Sasha gave me Ciara’s phone number a while ago but I never used it because how fucking creepy is that? In this case, I think I need to be the one to smooth things over before Ciara runs and hides again.
Me: Hey, it’s Lincoln. Sasha gave me your phone number a while ago, I hope that’s okay. I just want to make sure you got home safe.
I send it before I can change my mind.
Walking back inside Neon, it seems like it’s even more crowded than it was moments ago, but everyone feels like they’re moving in slow motion for me. I walk over to Isaiah and tap him on the shoulder. “Hey, you ready to go?”
“Damn, I thought for sure I was gonna be riding home solo tonight. What happened? You puss out again?”
I clap Isaiah on the shoulder. “Not even close. You ready or not?” Zay glances at Nina one more time before following me out.
I’m inside my condo for two minutes when I hear the ping of a text message, and I race to check it like a damn teenage boy.
Ciara: Other than the fact that your sister has no fucking boundaries, yeah no problem lol
Ciara: Yes, I’m home safe
I grin at the screen like she can see me.That’s a start.
“Anyone need a beer while I’m up?” Shane asks the group. I’m spending the afternoon with the guys today, and I’m regretting it because I’m once again the topic of conversation.
“So she said no, huh?” This from Dom.
“Yep.”
“And you’re okay with that?” Kai questions.
“Yep.”
“I call bullshit.” Dom and Kai nod their heads in agreement with Isaiah.
Shane comes back and hands out the beers. “I call bullshit too, man. Your ego’s gotta be wounded.”
“See, that’s where you fuckers are wrong. My ego’s not wounded because I never let my ego enter the conversation. She’s not ready. I respect that. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“And are you ready?” Kai takes a long pull from his beer.
“I mean I’m not saying I wanna head down the aisle or anything. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for that. But I’m ready for more than she is and that’s fine.” I’ve come to terms with the fact that I want something with Ciara. A date. A kiss. Anything she’s willing to give me.
“Okay, and what if she’s never ready?” Dom is really trying my patience today. He needs to go back to being the grumpy, quiet guy in the corner.
“Then I guess we’ll just be friends.”
Shane cackles but stops when I don’t join in.
“Oh, you’re serious. Okay.”
