u think abo

s, I prop my dying feet on the coffee table. Still a mystery as to why

side me on the couch. “We’ve been to Stewart’s for

my head I point at her nose. “You’r

re eye to eye. “No.” She did this half whisper ha

me like that. Lincoln is Adr

” she ask

didn’t really talk. He didn’t even see me. Don’t you think i

’s like this mystical creature you often read. He exists, his presence so powerful you can’t help but

llected, no-nonsense act created. His ability to slip in and out of the room unknowingly ma

ort and lives to tell the tale, while we mere mortals were jus

tewart to you, la

’m just trying to help.” Sh

imes, right? I’m ready when I’m ready. It’s just the matter of

head on my shoulder. “I just want y

d, Tom. At twenty eight, she already met her love, mapping their future togethe

reluctance at meeting someone and trying something new as the wrong step to find my

my time if I know from the start that he was the wrong guy. No sparks. N

estion is,

*

caramel macchiato at Hola!, the little cafe in front of my office buildi

scrambles with my order. After paying for my coffee and my favorite triple chocolate cupcake, I see two

m insta-worthy and upload it. My phone pings, notifying that my mom just liked my post.

our birthd

rt’s as usual. I got my mountain of

me this weekend, right? I’ll make you your proper birthday cake. Of course it’ll be chocolate. And ....

Uncle Rob and Aunt Beth, Mo’s parents and Mo herself. In Adrian’s case, there will be Lincoln. My only cousin, Michael, will m

a cup and a paper bag materializes in front of my line of sight. I follow the finger

and for a split of second, she’s lost all c

de-eye

e.

h agape like a fis

d visual,

n in front of this r

scarred hi

, you h

eah, Mom. Sure. I ... uhm,” I stutter. “I ....” Eyes still lock with his, I couldn’t look away, I blink. Once. Twice.

first I was so sure these were yours, but now I don’t know.” He shrugs. The

e it overdrive. In a very good way. And it’s a good thing, too, because now my brai

ound like a question? An

en sit on the chair across from me. “I ho

I amu

for a while there. “Yeah, sure. I don’t mind.” I gesture to the table, “A

standing behind you, actually. Saw and recogni

oka

what to thi

zed how creepy that sound. And to thi

nitely rem

ng at Stewart’s

looking at you, lis

u like the

sion now, do you? How could you sing D

mi, reminding me I have a meeting in an hour. “I’m sorry. Work’s calling. I have to go.” I st

e. And the name’s N

that devilis

d G

, Na

e shop so positive that that smile wil

*