Page 13 of Kissing My Soulmate

“Miss?” I right my head and smile as she sets my glass down. “Enjoy.”

I nod. “Thank you.” Taking a healthy sip of my wine, I sigh. I grab my phone and open my e-book app and begin reading the story I’ve been engrossed in for days. I’m a slow reader, but that’s only because I like to savor every word. Thrillers are by far my favorite, and I love a good whodunit.

“Lorelei?” I look up as Jake walks toward the table.

I smile and stand as he reaches me. He kisses my cheek and then we take a seat. Our waitress brings him a beer. He must’ve stopped at the bar and ordered it.

“How was your day?” I ask awkwardly.

Jake’s lips tip up into a huge grin. “It was good, busy, but good.” He looks me over. “You look beautiful.”

Today I wore a salmon pink shirt dress with a wide tan belt and matching wedge sandals. I look good, if I do say so myself. My hair is in a low ponytail. It’s hot so I kept my makeup light. “I- uh, thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.”

He holds my gaze as he takes a drink, but I can tell he’s smiling by the crinkle of the skin around his eyes, and the twinkle in them.

“Thank you again for the flowers. They’re so beautiful.” Our waiter takes our order. I order the crab cake salad and he orders a steak sandwich.

I know I’m being quiet and awkward. I just know I have to end this, whatever it is.

“Are you okay?” he asks quietly.

Picking at my thumbnail, I look up at him. “I don’t know if I’m ready for this.” I signal between the two of us. “It’s not fair to you, because I don’t know when I’ll be ready.” I cover my face, mortified I just said that to him. “I’m a horrible person.”

The table moves and I’m afraid he’s left, but instead he grabs my hands and pulls me to stand. He wraps me in his embrace, and I instinctively wrap my arms around his waist. God, he’s a nice hugger. “You’re not a horrible person. I know you’re not ready for anything more than friendship right now, but if you haven’t noticed—I’m a patient man.”

“You deserve to be with someone who is ready for marriage and kids. I don’t know if I can get there.”

Jake looks down at me and smiles softly. “Listen to me very carefully. I like spending time with you. Do I want more, sure, of course. I’d be an idiot not to want more with you, but I get it. You’re separated, not divorced, and newly so, but know this. I like you and I want to know you better. If that isn’t what you want from me then we can end this, but if you want to get to know me then we can just see what happens.”

“I don’t deserve you, friendship or otherwise.” I shake my head. “Why can’t you be a dick?”

Jake throws his head back and barks out a laugh that is rich and full-bodied. The desire to kiss him hits me out of nowhere. He stops laughing and suddenly we’re leaning toward each other, his lips so close I can feel his breath. My eyes slide closed, waiting on bated breath for his lips to touch mine.

“Uncle Jake!”

I jump back as a little boy leaps at him. Of course, the man catches him with ease, wrapping him in a bear hug. A moment later a man and woman, with a toddler in her arms, joins us. “Hey, big brother.” The woman wraps her free arm around him.

Jake hugs her and kisses the top of her head. “What are you guys doing here?”

She looks between the two of us and her smile widens. My face is burning right now, I’m mortified they almost caught us kissing. I am ready to bolt when the little girl reaches for me. I look at her mom, who nods.

“Hi, sweetheart,” I coo and lift her out of her mom’s arms and put her on my hip.

The little girl babbles at and grabs my hair.

“That little spitfire is my niece, Ari,” Jake rubs a hand over her head. “This is my sister, Jane, her husband, Brandon, and this little dude is my nephew, Calhoun. You guys, this is my friend, Lorelei.”

We all shake hands and I’m glad he referred to me as his friend. It’s easier to explain for now. A tiny hand pats my cheek and I look at the little girl in my arms. She smiles at me, and I return it. Yes, this is what I want.

I can’t settle for anything less, I can’t.

Chapter Eight

Jasper

This has been the worst day ever. I had to put down a family’s horse after it broke its leg. It is the one part of my job I absolutely hate. The kids of the owner sobbed while I did every part of it. From giving the horse a sedative, to inserting the IV, and then injecting the phenobarbital.

By the time I left, my chest hurt and I just wanted a drink. Which is why I’m here at Lucky’s. I mean that wasn’t the only thing that happened, but it capped off a shitty day. Hell, every day is a shitty day. I miss my wife and my therapist has me contemplating everything I’ve ever known.

---