Page 86 of Maxwell

“All right. You?”

“Hey, I’m alive.”

Maxwell chuckled. “We should all be grateful for life, shouldn’t we?”

“Definitely.”

“What have you been up to? Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“I, uh, I’ve been busy. I’m seeing the girl I met at NV Lounge.” Color tinged his cheeks, as if he was embarrassed.

“Good for you. Is it serious?” Maxwell asked.

Lincoln seemed surprised by his reaction. “Yeah, pretty serious.”

“I’m involved with the woman I met at NV Lounge the same night. I was thinking about her when you walked up.”

“That explains why you were smiling to yourself,” Lincoln said.

“I was smiling?”

“You were. But I know all about your relationship. Jayson mentioned it to me. I think he’s a little jealous of the time you’re spending with your new girlfriend. Jasmine, right?”

Maxwell chuckled. “That’s her name, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Jayson is jealous. He’s like a big kid. She and I went to the party he had last weekend because I hadn’t seen him in a while. Hopefully that will keep him happy for a bit.”

“Rajesh and I went to the Miami thing with him last month.”

“How was it?”

Lincoln paused as he gave the answer some thought. “I had fun, but... not as much fun as I used to have. I don’t know what was different. The venue maybe...? I don’t know.” He shrugged.

Maxwell nodded his understanding. “I do. You’re different, and I’ve been feeling that way myself.”

“What do you think is going on? Are we becoming mature?”

“‘Fraid so.”

“Damn.”

They both had a good laugh.

“Hey, the four of us should get together sometime,” Lincoln said.

“I’d like that. Jasmine and I have been on a couple of double dates recently, so I know she’d like the idea. Let’s keep it simple, though. Nothing involving competition.”

“I take it she’s very competitive?” Lincoln asked.

“You have no idea.”

His friend chuckled. “All right, I’ll call you about a noncompetitive activity.”

“Do that.”

Maxwell finished his shopping and then drove back to his place and exited his vehicle with the shopping bags in hand.

Riding up in the elevator, he wondered if Lincoln would be open to taking a couples trip with their girlfriends. Jasmine had really enjoyed herself in New Orleans, and so did he. They had gone dancing and had eaten at a couple of well-known restaurants and a few spots off-the-beaten-path. Maybe they could take another trip like that again—assuming Lincoln and his girl were open to the idea.

Maxwell was working out the details in his head when the doors opened on his floor. Jasmine was standing in the hallway.