Page 3 of Kissing My Soulmate

Laying my head on his shoulder, I squeeze my eyes shut. God, this was not how our story was supposed to end. A tear slides down my cheek and for once, I don’t try to hide it.

Long after the song ends, we stay locked in our embrace. “I love you, Lie,” he whispers against my ear.

The scab on the break in my heart opens again and the ache intensifies. “Please don’t say that,” I tell him, while trying to pull away from him, but he holds tight. “Jasper, let me go,” I plead

“I can’t. How can you ask that of me? You’re my everything, Lie.”

I look around to make sure no one’s eyes are on us, and luckily no one is paying us any mind. My gaze goes back to Jasper. “Our futures have changed. We’ve been over this. I’m sorry I changed my mind, but I know what I want.”

Backing away, I give him one last look before walking away. I don’t make it far before I turnaround. Jasper is where I left him. As I approach, I look around. Charlotte and Spencer are at the bar, and seem to be real close, even though I didn’t think they liked each other.

My husband turns toward me, “I’m sorry, Lie.”

“This isn’t what either of us, wants, but there is just no other way, Jasper.” He grabs my hand and pulls me toward him. “Why are you doing this? You’re making this worse.”

“I’m not trying to. Fuck, I love you, baby. This is killing me.” Letting go, he backs away and then leaves, taking my heart with him.

Chapter Two

Jasper

Linc is an asshole, that’s all there is to it. Audrey is one of the best women I know and that fucker is a no-show. She disappeared up to the bridal suite a little while ago.

Lorelei disappeared after we had shared a dance. I don’t want the divorce, not one fucking bit, but she wants a baby, and I don’t. My dad was an asshole and made life for my mom, my baby sister, and me, hell. I never wanted to pass on the asshole gene because it skipped me, but what if it didn’t skip them?

Even worse, what if I changed as soon as I had a kid. I’d never forgive myself if I hurt Lorelei or some innocent child. She’s my soulmate, but I have to let her go. It’s like a knife to the gut to know someday she’ll carry another man’s child. What if I see her out, happy with someone who’s not me?

“You okay?” Spencer stands next to me, looking at me closely. “You had a look like you were going to punch someone or cry.”

Shit, no one knows we are divorcing. Lorelei made me promise not to say anything this weekend. She wants this time to be about Audrey and Linc, and not us

I’d thought about just giving her a baby, even if I didn’t want that, but it wouldn’t be fair to either of us, or an innocent kid. “Jasper?”

“Sorry, man, just a lot on my mind and a little pissed at our no-show groom.” We walk toward the bar and order a beer.

“Things seemed kind of intense with you and Lorelei earlier.” His face is full of concern.

I take a drink of my beer. “Yeah, we’ve just had some intense talks lately, but we’re good.” Lying sucks, and I hate doing it to my friends, but I made a promise. One I wish I didn’t have to make because this isn’t supposed to be how our story ends.

We finish our beers and then I head to my bed, also known as the pullout in the living room of our suite. Collapsing on top of the covers, I stare at the ceiling. I remember the day I met her three and a half years ago.

***

My eyes travel around the room while I take a healthy swallow of my beer. Linc and his girlfriend, Audrey, are having a party and there are several people here I don’t know.

I stop when I reach the doorway to the kitchen and see the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She’s tall, curvy, with honey-brown hair. She must feel me watching her because she turns toward me and freezes. Mystery girl smiles at me and takes a sip of her white wine.

This intense pull has me weaving through the crowd, as I make my way toward her. I like that she moves, making her way to me, and meeting in the middle. “Hey,” I lean in, saying next to her ear.

She leans toward me, grinning. “I’m Lorelei.” Holding her hand out she looks at me expectantly.

Her voice is soft and melodic and has me hypnotized. Snapping out of it, I take her hand in mine. I bring it to my lips. She smells like raspberries and patchouli, and it’s got my dick twitching in my pants.

“I’m Jasper.” She lets me lead her out onto the patio and to an empty spot in front of the firepit. “How do you know Linc and Audrey?”

Lorelei turns to face me head-on. I like that too. “I work with Audrey at Magnolia Marketing. I’m a graphic designer. How do you know them?”

“Linc and I grew up together and then started hanging out again when we went to school together at Clemson.” I reach out and grab the end of her hair, twirling it around my fingers. It’s soft between my digits.

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