“Bike riding?” Nikki spoke up, curling her bright red lips up in disgust. “Yuk, how sweaty.”
He had been here in the diner enjoying his lunch alone after an extra-long shift. Nikki had spotted him from outside and came in to ask him why he had not answered any of her calls. Nikki would never step into the diner, or eat its greasy food, as she put it. He told her he had been busy with work, which was true.
Lily walked away and Melanie gave him that look that said you’re so dumb. Then it hit him.
Was Jessy jealous at seeing him with Nikki? She wouldn’t know Nikki was not here by his invitation. The thought lifted him up. That meant Jessy felt the same deep attraction he felt. Melanie walked away, giving him one last sad look.
Lincoln looked at Nikki, who had not even touched her glass of water. She had looked at it suspiciously. She was probably used to fancy expensive bottled water. She was way overdressed for a simple diner. He had kissed her, but even then he had been afraid to mess up her perfect hair and wrinkle her fancy dress. Jessy was sexy without all of that sophistication. She was real and down to earth. He had to try to see if she felt the same, or he would always regret it. He felt that deep in his soul.
“Listen, Nikki, I have to be honest with you,” he said politely. “We had what two or three dates, but I don’t think we’d make a good couple. We don’t have much in common.”
She looked confused. She did have a very high opinion of herself. “You kissed me and now you tell me we don’t have anything in common?”
“They were nice kisses, but we like different things. I love to fish. I rent a boat and fish all day. It’s how I relax.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Eww. Fish are smelly.”
“How do you think they get sushi?” he asked her, his eyebrow arching up. “I love to hike and do family cookouts. We’re just too different.”
She finally realized what he was saying was true, but she didn’t look upset. “You’re right, I suppose. I guess I was curious about you. Sally Lewis said you were a tiger in bed, and I thought why not see for myself.”
Lincoln ignored the anger he felt. He felt like a piece of meat and it was not pleasant. He regretted sleeping with Sally now. He had been drunk and took her home one night last year. He never saw her again, but she had not called him either. He leaned toward Nikki. “She passed out on me. Don’t tell her I told you, but we never got to the sex part. She must have been dreaming.”
Spread rumors about me now, Sally.
Nikki looked pleased and laughed. “I knew she was a liar. See you around, Lincoln. I have a nail appointment.”
She walked out of the diner and he felt like he had dodged a bullet. Shallow nights with women like Sally and Nikki no longer appealed to him. He had been celibate for months as a matter of fact, and he knew it was because of Jessy. Now how to repair the damage seeing him with Nikki had done?
Chapter Six
Jessy ordered a turkey club sandwich and fries. She needed the comfort food, she consoled herself. Lily and Melanie were talking away about the new summer line that had just arrived at the store. Jessy half listened while looking out the big picture window. She didn’t want to see Lincoln laughing and having a good time with his date.
Jessy looked up when she saw a shadow hit the table. She looked up at Lincoln’s brown eyes.
“Can I join you girls?” he asked, putting his lip out as if he wanted them to feel sorry for him. Jessy swallowed her sarcastic remark since they weren’t alone. She shrugged as if she didn’t care, and then scooted over since Lily and Melanie were seated on the opposite side.
He slid in next to her and put his arm at the back of the seat, practically touching her. She sipped on her glass of ice water hoping it cooled her desire. It didn’t.
“Miss Fancy Pants left?” Melanie gave him an exasperated look. “Eww, moving around makes me sweaty.” She mimicked his date. “Really, Brother. You need better tastes in choosing dates.”
“She wasn’t my date,” he told his sister. Jessy had seen him with that same woman before, but she kept quiet.
“I was minding my own business when she invited herself to my table and ordered water. I’ve made it clear I have no interest in getting involved with her.”
“Mm,’ Melanie said, doubtfully. Jessy wondered if it was the truth, not that it mattered, Lincoln offered her friendship. She had to remember that.
He reached across the table and snuck a fry from his sister’s plate. He made a tsk tsk sound. “Exercising and then eating fries. Not cool, Sis.”
Melanie gave him a superior look. “I am young, dear brother, so I have a fast metabolism. You, on the other hand, are so over the hill you need to live on lettuce to stay in shape.”
Lily giggled and Jessy had to smile at their bickering. She knew they were close but gave each other a hard time. She had always babied her sister, especially after her mother got sick. If things had been different, Lily might be more outgoing like Melanie was. So many regrets weighed on her shoulders.
“How was your bike ride?” Lincoln asked her in a friendly tone, tugging on her ponytail. Jessy returned his smile. Just because she lusted after him and he didn’t even notice didn’t mean she had to be rude and ignore him.
“Torturous,” Jessy admitted with a humorous smile. “These young girls left me behind several times. I had to burn some calories off after all that activity. I better have anyway.”
Lily smiled. “I jog every morning and I invite you, Sis.”