Page 15 of True Soil-Mates

“Thanks.”

Turning back to my row of rootbound arrowhead vines, it hits me: with greenery, I have all the patience in the world. I guess I’ll have to hold onto that while I figure out if Alex and I are really meant to be.

10

ALEX

There was nothing like the feeling of holding Jasmine all night long. I cling to it two days later as I wonder why it’s taking longer and longer for her to return my chatty little texts.

My fingers drum on the desk as I stare at my phone, willing it to light up. I know that she’s probably just busy. I know that I’m being paranoid. But still – it feels like there’s something wrong.

In a blink, I’m on my feet, pacing back and forth, as my mind snaps into analysis mode. If there is a problem, it means there is a solution.

Carol keeps telling me I need to be less obsessive, that it’s harming my health. Well, Jasmine feels like a healthy obsession. Honestly, she’s the best thing that’s happened to me in ages.

She’s grounded. Earthy. Funny. Those qualities have to be beneficial – both physically and spiritually. She’s the correct answer to a problem I’ve been ignoring. Plus, the way she feels against me is deeply amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so good.

My feet slow.

Mine.

I can’t shake the deep sensation that we are meant to be together, that she’s a magical gift from the Universe, and honestly, I’ve known that from the second our eyes met.

So how can I be screwing things up already? I pause at my desk for a swig of lukewarm coffee, thinking. Time to analyze the data.

We chat about everything under the sun, and nothing seems off limits. We’re both very open.

She understands that sometimes my work comes first and even pitched in to help. That was incredible.

Physically, we can’t get enough of each other. The way we touch each other… There are no words. Only waves of intense emotion and desire.

Taking another sip of coffee, I nearly choke on it. Did I… Did we go too far without me telling Jasmine how much she means to me? Was I supposed to do that? I probably was.

Dammit.

That’s one of the most basic, foundational elements of every test we run – read through all the data twice before even starting to assemble the required materials. I should have read up on what women expect in relationships. The internet contains billions of cat pictures and endless recipes for avocado toast – surely there’s a guide for a guy like me who can speak in front of an auditorium full of researchers but doesn’t know how to talk to women.

Plunking myself in front of my laptop, I begin searching. Yet there’s something else in the back of my mind.

Jasmine often looks like she’s processing what I’ve said and frequently takes a few seconds to respond. The only time I noticed her wearing a truly negative expression was when…

Oh no.

When I mentioned mouthwash after…but that wasn’t because we’d just donethat, it was just…kissing goodnight withfresh breath felt nicer to me – and, okay, I’m a bit obsessive with dental care.

The last mouthful of cold coffee tastes bitter. Like dirt. Like the fresh soil that my beautiful girl is always digging in.

I cannot have Jasmine thinking that I am afraid of germs or contamination when it comes to her. She’s the sweetest, loveliest woman on this planet, and I’m eager to devour every inch of her, over and over.

How do I prove to her that my hyper cleanliness fixation doesn’t extend to the woman of my dreams?

11

JASMINE

After spending another hour lost in thought, I stop and stare out the back window for a moment. It’s a perfect sunny day, with just a few little fluffy clouds breaking up the bright daylight.

Which means it’s a perfect time to take light readings of Alex’s space. Whatever tension there might be while I figure things out, I should put work first.

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