“Really?”
“Yes,” Jin says, the smile back on his face. “I like spending time with you, Leo. I would very much like to keep spending time with you. Would you like that too?”
Oh. He just says exactly what he’s thinking. Jin doesn’t hold back. He’s not playing coy. He says he wants to spend time with me and he means it. It’s really refreshing but also kinda terrifying at the same time. He’s like no one I’ve ever met before.
“I think I’d like that too,” I say, smiling down at my sandwich.
“That makes me really happy to hear. Here, give me your phone.”
I pass it over, watching as Jin puts his contact information into my phone. Then he texts himself so that he has my number. He passes it back over with that signature grin back on his face.
We finish eating our lunch and I walk him back over to the coffee stand. He touches my upper arm, giving it a squeeze.
“Thank you for having lunch with me, Leo. I’ll talk to you soon!”
“Bye, Jin,” I say softly, ducking my head and walking away. All the way back to my car, my heart is up in my throat. I find that maybe I don’t mind the feeling.
Chapter Five
Jin
I set my laptopon my coffee table while I sit on the ground, my back against my couch. I’ve entered the link that Leo sent me so that I could check out this streamer he was telling me about.
Leo is very soft. I’m so used to chaos that some people might think soft or quiet would bore me but it’s the exact opposite. Leo fascinates me. The quiet feels cozy. When it comes to Leo, I can’t seem to look away.
I pull up the stream and sit back against the couch, stretching my legs out in front of me under the table. I grab my phone and send Leo a message.
Me: Are you watching? I just pulled it up so I can watch with you :)
Leo:I’m watching! Blue just started! How was work today?
I can’t stop smiling as I read the message. We’re watching something together. It might be silly but that makes my heart flutter and my stomach warm. Leo wants to know about my day and I want to tell him.
I’m still so conflicted with my feelings. I can’t seem to get enough of Leo. Even if he was velcro’d to my hip, I probably wouldn’t think it was enough. Every time we have to part, I feel my chest ache. I want to know everything about him. I want to crawl under his skin and make a home there.
At the same time, he’s not my soulmate. No one is. Am I really okay with that?
Fuck, maybe I should find the tattoo artist again and ask her for another. Maybe, with her magic, I can piece together what the hell is going on inside of me. Maybe she can tell me one way or another, if I was destined to be alone.
Even as I wonder, there’s so much uncertainty about that statement. If I was meant to be alone, then why can’t I stop thinking about Leo? If I didn’t have a soulmate, why does it feel like my chest wants to crack itself open so Leo can gaze upon my heart? When I wrap my hand around my cock, why is it Leo’s face I can’t stop picturing?
I want to see him. I want to see him so badly that it makes my chest ache.
Me: Work was really good! I’m starting to figure out our regulars and have their orders memorized! Brenda let me handle the register all day and I didn’t fuck up a single time. AND the guy from the bakery let me have some free cookies!
Leo: That sounds like a pretty perfect day :)
It really was, except for the fact that I didn’t get to see Leo.
Me: Can I have your address?
Leo: What??? Why?
Me: I’m having something delivered and need your address.
Leo: What? You don’t have to do that! Plus, that means I’d have to put pants on, Jin!
Me: Pretty please? I promise it’ll be worth it!
