Page 17 of Kissing My Soulmate

“No, I’m free.” I say, feeling suddenly nervous.

He nods. “Good, I’ll call you with a time.” Leaning in, he kisses my cheek. “We’ll talk soon.”

After closing my door, I back out of the parking spot and wave to Jasper as I pull out. The entire drive home, I can’t help but smile. I am not naïve enough to think that all our issues are solved, but I at least feel hopeful for the first time in a long time.

***

Stepping inside Buzz, I find Jake sitting against the windows. I wave as I walk to the counter, but I can see he already ordered my favorite, a passionfruit iced tea. Always the gentleman, he stands when I approach.

I’m nervous but give him a hug anyway. He holds on just a little bit longer than usual, and then he lets me go. I take a seat across from him and smile. “How are you?” I ask.

“Good, I’ve kind of missed talking to you.” He grabs his coffee and takes a drink. “How have you been?”

Crap, how much do I tell him? “I went to therapy with Jasper.”

Almost immediately he shuts down on me and crosses his arms across his chest. “I knew it,” he says quietly. “When you told me you were freshly separated, I should’ve walked away. I knew there was a chance that this could happen, but I was so fucking attracted to you and felt a real connection so I knew I had to take a chance.”

I’m stunned, shocked. I open my mouth to speak, but he stands.

“Good luck,” he mutters before walking out of the coffee shop. I look around and see people are staring at me. Grabbing my drink, I stand and head out, hustling to my car. The tears begin to fall as I let myself inside.

Guilt plagues me. I should’ve never gone to coffee with him. He deserves better, even if I didn’t mean to, I led him on. I gave him false hope. “I’m a horrible person,” I whisper to myself as I start my SUV.

Instead of heading home right away, I drive around for a while or at least until the tears dry up. Maybe I don’t deserve Jasper either, he doesn’t want children and I feel like I am forcing him.

Beep, beep, beep. I open my eyes, blinking rapidly against the bright light.

“Lorelei?” Jasper appears above me. “You’re okay, baby.”

My body screams as I try to push up. “Fuck, what happened?” I moan. I remember meeting Jake for coffee, but that is it.

“An old lady ran a red light and she T-boned you. I’m still your emergency contact, they called me when you were brought in.” He leans down and kisses my forehead. “Let me go get the nurse.”

An older woman comes in, wearing a pair of gray scrubs. “Glad to see you awake, sweetheart. Can I get you something for pain?”

I nod. “Yes, please.”

“Okay, I’ll be right back.”

Jasper’s face appears above me again. “Can I get you anything?”

“Can you close the curtains?” I wince from the bright light. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to stop the nausea that assails me.

The room darkens and then Jasper comes back, taking my hand. “Your scans all came back normal. They’re going to keep you overnight, just to make sure you’re all right.”

“You don’t need to stay. I-I appreciate you coming.” A wave of sadness washes over me, and I have no idea why.

He kisses my hand. “I’m not leaving you.”

Tears leak from my eyes. “T-Thank you.”

The nurse and doctor come in and check me over, while Jasper watches from the side. It takes them a few minutes, and then she injects something into my IV that makes my eyes begin to flutter and then slam back shut.

Chapter Ten

Jasper

Driving away from Lorelei’s apartment, I’m filled with worry. I just brought her home from the hospital and she didn’t want me to stay. She’s always been very independent when she was sick or hurt. I know it’s because when she was younger, she could only count on herself.

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