Seeing her made me realize I’d been a fool. I’d given up on love and a happy future. But it was still possible, and my heart wasn’t dead, after all.
7
Sophia
Icouldn’t believeI was doing it.
I was going to see Kayden—a man I’d talked to for months but had never met. Even though it went against everything I knew was right and safe, I agreed to drive across numerous states to finally meet him.
I thought my heart would explode before I got there, the pounding growing harder and faster with each passing mile. I tried to steady my breathing and concentrate on navigating the streets of New Orleans, but it was useless.
“Stay right and take Exit One, West Napoleon Avenue. Your destination is one mile ahead on your right,” the GPS stated.
One mile?
I clutched the wheel, adjusting in my seat as my clothes clung to my body. God, I seriously needed a shower. Beads of sweat started to form near my temples as I tightened my grip, causing my knuckles to turn white.
Get it together, Sophia.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice coming through the speakers.
“I’m just trying to figure out where I’m going. There are so many buildings.”
“I’ll guide you, Soph.”
I looked for him in between the masses of cars, but I saw no one. “Do you see my car?”
“You just passed my building. Do a U-turn and turn by the black gate.”
“Shit.” I wiped my forehead, realizing I was only moments away from seeing him in the flesh. I wanted to look my best. Well, at least as good as I could after two days of driving.
Stopping the car in the middle turning lane, I checked myself out in the rearview mirror.Not too bad even though I’m a mess inside.
I sat there for a moment and took a deep breath. “I’m coming now,” I said, blotting my face before applying powder to smooth my complexion.
Calm down, he’s just a guy.
I turned back toward him—the man I had thought about constantly for months.
“I see you.”
I looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of him. I spotted a gorgeous man…Kayden. He was smiling at me, and my belly flipped. I had seen him in pictures, but they didn’t do him justice.
“I see you now, too. Be there in a second.” I hit the end button, needing a minute to freak out in private.
You can do this. Calm the fuck down.
I tapped my index finger against the steering wheel as the gate to his apartment complex opened painfully slowly. He stood near an empty parking spot, waiting for me, and with each passing second, I grew more anxious.
As I pulled forward, I drank him in. His body was muscular and lean, covered in a pair of white, knee-length shorts and a blue T-shirt. His only visible hair at a distance was a goatee that framed his smile. As the space between us closed, I could see his bright sage eyes sparkling in the sunlight.
His smile had been a mystery to me, but now it made my breath catch in my throat. He didn’t like to show his teeth because of a gap that was never fixed. It finally filled my vision, and it mesmerized me. The display made my heart melt. His teeth were imperfectly beautiful.
I parked my car in a haphazard fashion, not caring if I was in between the lines. My heart rate increased, and I clenched my hands into tight balls, closing my eyes before reaching for the door handle. I slid out, leaving the door open.
“Hi,” he said as he reached for me. His heart was pounding as fast as mine, as if they were speaking a secret language.
Thank God I’m not the only one nervous.
