I deleted the app after a day.
Something felt off about it, as though something deep inside of me knew that was not the place where I was going to find the one for me.
Jaime is just around the corner from Lorena’s house, right where he said his car quit on him.
He’s tapping his foot as he leans against the car, arms folded, listening to music through his earphones. He takes them out when he sees me approaching.
“Thanks for doing this.”
“No problem. It’s good to see you.”
He smiles. “And you, dad.”
“So where’s this diner?”
“Just around the corner. I’ll show you—”
“Jaime?”
We both turn at the sound of Lorena’s voice.
I stare.
Hard.
I remember her as a dorky little kid in braces, a book always in her hand. She was never anything more to me than my son’s friend, a shy girl who found it difficult to say hello when I picked them both up from one of their dates.
But now…
Fuck.
I can’t let myself think this. Yet it’s undeniable.
She’s beautiful.
Her hair is a dark brown that falls down past her shoulders in waves, making my fingers twitch with the need to run my hand through it. Her eyes are wide, innocent, and young. My head swirls with the ways they’d widen as I brought her to orgasm. Her curvy body is outlined in her jeans and her hoodie, her wide hips perfect for grabbing and lavishing with carnal attention.
She holds a dog leash, attached to the harness of a tiny sand-colored Chihuahua. The dog yaps happily and runs toward Jaime, leaping up on his legs.
As Jaime kneels to stroke the dog, Lorena asks, “What are you doing here?”
“My car broke down,” Jaime replies. “I called triple AAA, but I didn’t want to—”
“Jaime. You know you could’ve waited with us.” She turns to me, her lips twisted into a frown, as though she resents my presence. “You both can if you want.”
“We don’t want to impose,” I almost stutter.
I have to push the words out. Truthfully, every instinct I possess is telling me to get as close to this woman as possible. I can’t believe I was just thinking about the woman of my dreams only moments ago… because she is the woman of my dreams.
The realization hit me like a lightning bolt.
I can’t let myself think that. She’s my son’s ex-girlfriend… and maybe they’re going to restart that relationship soon.
But I can’t beat down these desires either. They flare to life inside of me, compelling me to walk over to her and loop my arms around her curvy body.
Clenching my fists, I warn myself to stop, to slow down at the very least.
“It’s not an imposition, honestly,” Lorena says. “I can make us all a bite to eat. And dad mentioned he wanted to see you, Jaime. Who knows? Maybe this hunk of junk breaking down was fate.”
Lorena turns and starts walking down the street.
Exchanging a look with Jaime, we both follow.
I just pray he can’t tell how difficult it is for me not to greedily devour the sight of Lorena’s ass swaying back and forth.
Chapter Three
Lorena
As I make the sandwiches in the kitchen, I listen to Jaime and Lukas talking with my dad. My heart pounds as I recall the way Lukas stared at me, those icy eyes staring like he resented me for suddenly appearing. I panicked and offered to make them a bite to eat, hardly conscious of what I was saying.
Really, I was trying to hold back my desires from breaking down the walls of my reason and making me do something silly.
It was like my body moved of its own accord, my legs guiding me to Lukas, my hands lifting to grab onto his firm arms.
He’s even hotter than I remember, his muscles looking ready to burst out of his gray suit.
I carry the sandwiches into the living room and place them on the coffee table. Chirpy sits up in Jaime’s lap, ears perked. Dad leans forward with his elbows on his knees, trying his best to look strong, even if I can tell how tired he is. It makes my heart ache every time I look at him.
I resist the urge to gape at Lukas as I take my seat next to dad. Jaime and Lukas sit next to each other on the couch, as though forcing me to confront the cold facts of my silly crush.
Lukas is a hulking presence in the room, his musky scent filling the air. Or maybe that’s my imagination, wishing things into existence. Jaime sits with his legs crossed, his hand casually stroking Chirpy behind the ear.
My best friend on one side of the couch. His dad, and my crush, on the other.
It’s like fate is trying to remind me what would happen if I ever listened to this longing, buried deep inside of me, getting warmer and more captivating each moment I spend in his presence.