Page 21 of Kissing My Soulmate

N’Sync blasts through my earbuds as I run on the treadmill. I hate every second of this, but it’s a necessary evil. I’ve always been athletic but growing up could never play sports because I moved so much, plus the foster families I was with wouldn’t pay for me to play them.

Sure, over the years I’ve played intermural sports, but that’s it. My alarm goes off, so I slow down to a walk and stretch my arms over my head. Once I’m sure I won’t fall on my face, I hop off the machine.

Today is an exciting day. I finally got the check from my insurance company and I’m going to look at SUVs. Mine was totaled in the accident and luckily the value was high, so I got a nice amount to put a substantial down payment on a new vehicle.

I asked Jasper to go with me, but he was working and wouldn’t be able to. It’s fine though. I won’t let anyone try to screw me. I just wanted to spend some time together. Since our date we haven’t seen much of each other.

It sucks but I get it. His work is very important to him and he’s got a lot of patients that depend on him.

Wiping off my machine, I head out to the parking lot. On my way home, I stop for a strawberry smoothie. Once I reach my apartment and let myself inside, Bob Vance scolds me for being gone.

“Meow, meow.” He sits in front of me.

Leaning over, I scoop him up and kiss the top of his head. “I’m sorry, my baby boy. I just went to the gym.” I carry him into the kitchen and set him on the floor. In the cabinet, I grab his bag of treats.

He sits on his hind legs, begging like a dog. Once he’s got his treat, he prances away like the king he thinks he is. I kick off my shoes and head into my bedroom. Stripping out of my clothes, I walk into the bathroom, and climb into the shower.

My body is sore, but I welcome this pain, which is better than it was a couple of weeks ago after my accident. The water sluices over my body, loosening my muscles. After rinsing the conditioner from my hair, I grab my towel, drying myself off. I snatch my robe off the back of the door.

It takes me a half hour to do my hair and makeup. In my bedroom, I grab a pair of high-waisted, light-khaki short shorts, and a pink, slim-fit T-shirt that I tuck into the shorts. On my feet I wear some simple Birkenstocks.

In the kitchen I make myself a quick sandwich, with turkey and Swiss. My phone beeps and I see a text from Jasper.

Jasper: Hey, I got done earlier than expected. Do you want me to meet you at the dealership?

I can’t help it and smile. I quickly type out a response.

Lorelei: That would be great. Thank you so much.

I tell him which dealership to meet me at and then I grab my keys and head out. The whole drive there I’m looking forward to seeing him. Hopefully someday we’ll share a home again.

I pull into the lot of the Audi dealership and park, waiting for Jasper to get here.

Chapter Twelve

Jasper

Driving into the parking lot, I spot Lorelei’s rental and pull in next to it. She meets me on the sidewalk in front of my truck.

“I’m so glad you could come.” She smiles up at me. “Did you have a good day?”

I pull her into a hug and kiss the top of her head. “I did.” Stepping back, I grab her hand and bring it up to my lips. I freeze because she’s not wearing her wedding ring.

“I-I didn’t think it was appropriate to wear it right now.” Lorelei pulls her hand from mine, wrapping her other around it. Her eyes turn glassy, and she bites her lip. “I wanted to,” she says softly.

I wrap my arms around her again. “It’s okay. I get it.” Of course, I am not wearing mine either, but I guess it was just the first time I really noticed she was no longer wearing it. Grabbing her face, I tip it back and kiss her softly on the lips.

We finally pull apart and I smile at her dazed look, but at least she no longer looks like she’s going to cry. “Now, let’s go get you a new car.”

After an hour and a couple of test drives, she decides on a red Q3. After doing all the paperwork, we then both drive back to her apartment, and I leave my truck. I hop in the passenger seat, and we head out to get lunch. “This thing is a beautiful piece of machinery. You can barely hear it running,” I tell her.

“Well, if you’re a good boy, I’ll let you drive after lunch.”

I place my hand on her thigh, giving it a squeeze. She parks in a spot a block down from Lucky’s. Once we climb out, I grab her hand and we head inside. We ask the hostess to sit us outside, since it’s a nice day.

We take our seats, and our waiter stops to get our drink order. I order us a pitcher of jalapeño margaritas and the steak nachos. “Is it okay?”

“Of course, you know what I like,” Lorelei says, and smiles at me. “How do you think therapy is going?”

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