“You mean separating intellectual intimacy and physical intimacy?” She frowned at the idea.
“Sure.” He shrugged. “The two don’t have to be connected. I’ve had great sex with women I didn’t even particularlylikeandcertainlycouldn’t have had deep, philosophical conversations with.”
“Ugh.” She curled her upper lip. “Like I was saying, you’re such a guy. Hashtag all men!”
“Are you telling me you’ve had intellectual compatibility witheveryman you’ve ever slept with? Including the ex’s roommate?”
“Well, no. Areyoutellingmeyou’ve never fantasized about getting back at someone who’s shit all over you? Come on.” She scoffed. “It’s the ultimate shit on fantasy.”
His beard twitched. “I feel like we should workshop that title.”
She rolled her eyes. “The thing is, I wasn’t planning to spend the rest of my life with Chad. For one thing, his name wasChad. I mean, who does that to a kid? For another thing, all I wanted out of the relationship was a few weeks wherein we’d both have some fun at the expense of Brian the Buttmunch. But when it comes to looking for forever? When it comes to finding someone to grow old with?ThenI want a man who is as stimulated by my brain as he is by my boobs.”
Was it her imagination or did Sam’s gaze flicker to her chest?
She decided it was her imagination when he shook his head and chuckled. “Hannah Blue, are you saying the girl who swore boys were only good for being video game opponents or D&D groupmates is actually on the hunt for Mr. Right?”
“Aren’t we all searching for our very own happily ever after?”
“Dunno.” He shrugged. “I think most of us are more concerned with happy-for-now. But even if weareall in the pursuit of life-long happiness, who says that has to be wrapped up in one person?” His eyes held hers in a hard blue grip. “Maybe there’s no such thing as a soulmate. Maybe we’d all be better off if we admitted it’s impossible to have all our needs met by a single individual.”
No such thing as soulmates? No such thing assoulmates?
Was he serious?
One look in his eyes proved he was.
“Your vision is very reasonable and pragmatic and unexciting.” Her tone sounded as crushed as her spirit. “And I hope beyond hope you’re wrong.”
“I never woulda pegged you as a romantic, Hurricane Hannah.” He canted his head as he regarded her. “An idealist? Sure. But not a romantic.”
“Why? Because I wasn’t boy-crazy at thirteen?”
“Well, that and ’cause you’re too smart to believe in the bullshit the rom-coms and love stories about sparkly vampires would have you believe. The idea of finding your one true love is a myth. But if it makes you feel any better, I don’t think the idea of finding a perfect, lifelong relationship is.”
“No?” She was tentatively heartened by the glimmer of hope he was offering.
“A perfect, life-long relationship requires exactly two things.” He held up two fingers. “Two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other when times get tough.”
She eyed him consideringly as warmth spread through her chest. It might not be as neat and tidy assoulmates, but it was just as poignant. Maybe more so. Because it left less up to fate and more up to the people involved and the work they were willing to do together.
“Now who’s the idealist?” Her smile was teasing.
“I prefer the termpragmatist.” When something that looked very near sadness flickered in his eyes, her smile turned upside down. If she wasn’t mistaken, a ghost of a memory drifted across his face and brought with it pain and suffering.
“Why do you suddenly look like someone firebombed your entire Minecraft world?” she asked.
He blinked. “You realize I don’t have the first clue what that means.”
“Doesn’t matter.” She waved away her explanation as a thought occurred. “Sixteen years is a long time to be out of touch. A lot can happen. Did you ever get married? Do you have any kids?”
Silently she added,Is that sorrow I see as the result of some idiotic woman who gave up on you when times got tough?
Before he could respond, the speakers attached to one of the monster-sized monitors dinged. Her eyes shot to the screen.
Yippee!A breakthrough.And grr.At the worst possible time. Just when they were getting into the meat of a really juicy conversation.
“What is it?” he asked.
