Page 1 of Kissing My Soulmate

Prologue

Lorelei

My alarm goes off and I grab my phone, shutting it off. Pushing myself up in bed I groan. God, my body feels like it weighs a million pounds. It feels like my eyes are filled with gravel.

I’m not ready for this weekend of wedding love and happiness, but Audrey asked me to be a part of her special day. I’ll just paste on my best fake smile and make sure she has the best wedding weekend ever.

In my bathroom, I grab a couple under eye patches, applying them to the puffy skin. I use my eye drops to hopefully get rid of the bloodshot look. My God, I’m a mess.

Pulling my hair up into a knot, I strip out of my jammies, and step into the shower. I wash my body and am thankful I got laser hair removal, so I don’t have to shave. Once I rinse off, I turn it to cold and stand under the chilly spray for about as long as I can stand it.

When I climb out, I dry off before grabbing my silk robe, slipping it on. I peel the eye patches off and am pretty impressed with how well they worked. Pulling out my moisturizer, I prep my face for my makeup.

Once that’s done, I let my hair down, brush it out, and quickly braid it. Back in my room, I grab my weekend bag out of the closet and pack the clothes I’m taking. My dress, Jasper’s tux, and my dress for tonight are in the garment bags.

I gather my toiletries and place them on top. Sitting down on the side of my bed, I rub the spot in the middle of my chest that aches. God, it feels like I’ve died a little inside. Will it ever go away?

There’s a knock on the door. “Come in,” I call out.

Jasper opens the door. “Hey, I’ll take the bags out to the car if you want.” God, I’ve always loved the gravelly tone of his voice.

“Um… Yes, that’d be great.” I stand up and grab the bag, handing it to him. Then I drape the garment bags over his other arm. He leaves, shutting the door behind him.

I let out the breath I was holding and quickly blink away the tear that threatens to slide down my cheek. The pain in my chest returns and I pray to God for it to go away. Jasper, of course, acts like this whole thing is no big deal.

Of course, I’m the one who wants this—I am. I slip on my jumper, the color of raspberries. The top is halter style and is so soft against my skin. After popping on my straw fedora and slipping my flip-flops on, I grab my tote bag, and head downstairs.

In the kitchen I find my travel mug on the counter with coffee already in it. Picking it up, I take a sip and close my eyes. It’s doctored up, just the way I like. I begin to feel sick and rub my stomach.

The front door opens, and Jasper comes into the kitchen. “The car is loaded up. Are you ready?”

“I am.” He turns and walks toward the door.

Grabbing my tote bag and my sunglasses, I follow him. He arms the security system and I walk down the little pathway to the driveway where my black Audi SQ 8 sits.

He opens my door for me and I climb inside, taking his coffee from him. I take our travel mugs and sit them in the cup holders. As soon as Jasper climbs in, his scent surrounds me. I slip my sunglasses on and turn to look out the window as he pulls out of our driveway.

Music fills the uncomfortable silence. It’s when we’re an hour from the house that I turn to him. “Thank you for keeping quiet about everything. This is Audrey and Linc’s weekend, and I don’t want things to be weird.”

He glances at me. “Of course. This is what you want.” His tone has a bite to it.

“We want different things. I want children, you don’t.” Tears slide down my cheeks.

“You never wanted them before. We made a deal, Lorelei, no kids.” He grips the steering wheel so tight; his knuckles are white.

“Don’t you think I know that. I never wanted them until I held that baby. I-I don’t know what happened, I just felt this yearning I’ve never had before.” I suck in a breath. “I want to be a mom, but more than anything I want you to be a dad.”

Jasper shakes his head. “That’s not what I want,” he says quietly.

I whisper, “I know.” Leaning my head back, I close my eyes, and try to forget about me and my soulmate getting a divorce.

Chapter One

Lorelei

The rest of the bridal party, including the bride and I, drink champagne and snack on a charcuterie board that was brought to us while killing time before we go have dinner.

“Linc will be here tomorrow?” I ask before popping an olive in my mouth.

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