Page 20 of Kissing My Soulmate

I’m surprised he’s brought him up. We haven’t really talked about stuff that happened while we were apart. I shake my head. “No, I remembered our meeting before the accident. I tried to call him and text him to apologize, but it looks like he’s blocked me.” I shrug. “I deserve it, I shouldn’t have started hanging out with him when I wasn’t ready. I led him on.”

“No, that’s not you, not who you are.”

Our waiter brings our food and then leaves us. “Jasper, I did. Whether it was intentional or not. I am a horrible person.”

I push back from the table and stand up, weaving through the tables I head into the bathroom. Luckily, it’s empty as I rush into the stall, sitting down on the toilet. I hate that Jake is out there hating me. He truly was a good guy and maybe in another time or place we could’ve tried, but my heart belongs to Jasper.

I get myself under control and leave the stall. After checking myself in the mirror, I head out the door and run smack into Jasper. “H-Hey.”

“Was there more there between you and him?” His blue eyes penetrate my soul. “Was there?”

I shake my head. “No, I promise you. Nothing ever happened. Once something almost did, but no, there was never anything more than friendship.” A thought occurs to me. “I heard you were seen out with a girl. Did you date someone else?”

“No, I mean, I went out with someone, but it was casual, and we talked about you.” He grabs my hand and pulls me too him. “I love you.”

I’ve heard him say that so many times over the years, but hearing him say it right now makes me kiss him, and hard. I pull back. “I love you too.”

We head back to our table and dig into our food. I swear I eat every bite of my barbecue chicken with a side of macaroni and cheese. Of course, I’ve never been afraid of eating and eating well. That’s why I’ve always been curvy.

Once we’re done, Jasper pays the check, we stand, and he leads me outside. We hold hands as we walk back to his truck. He helps me inside and then shuts the door behind me.

“Do you want to go get a drink?” he asks.

I smile and nod. “That sounds good.

***

I lie on my side and stroke Bob Vance’s back as he snuggles next to me, purring loudly. Tonight was fun, but I’m a little disappointed. After leaving the restaurant we went to a place called Happy’s.

We sat on the patio and while I drank a glass of pinot grigio, Jasper drank a glass of whiskey. He was attentive as we talked, really listening to me while I talked about work. Also, about our wedding weekend friend group and the fact that couples have formed.

It was great to think our friends were finding love. We finished our drinks and he took me home. At my door, he leaned in, kissing me deep and slow. His tongue brushed mine, making me whimper into his mouth.

Jasper pulled his mouth from me and rested his forehead against mine. I panted and tried to get my heart rate to slow. I also tried to work up the nerve to ask him to come inside. Yes, we had sex a few weeks ago, but that was fast and spontaneous. This could have been a defining moment in the possible “new us.”

I took a deep breath. “Do you want to come in?”

His answer surprised me.

“I’m sorry, baby, but I’m going to go. Let’s take this slow.” Jasper kissed the tip of my nose. “I’ll talk to you later.”

I stood in front of my apartment door, wondering what the hell happened. The feeling of rejection was strong. Letting myself inside, I closed the door behind me and threw the deadbolt. Bob Vance met me in the hallway, and I scooped him up before heading into my bedroom.

Sitting him on my bed, he watched me as I changed into my tank top and sleep shorts. I went through my nighttime routine and then finally slid into bed, which leads to now.

I get why he didn’t come in tonight. We’re supposed to be going slow, and deciding if we should move forward with our forever. Plus, I need to be one-hundred-percent sure if Jasper decides to have children with me it’s because he wants them and he’s not just doing it for me.

My phone pings, and I grab it off my nightstand. It’s a text from Jasper.

Jasper: I had a good time tonight. It was also very hard to leave you tonight, but I want this to work. Just know I love you.

I quickly type out a response.

Lorelei: I had a good time too and I get it, thank you for being honest.

I set my phone down and snuggle in. Thankfully, I fall asleep pretty quickly.

***

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