Page 12 of Jacob Michaels is Not Crazy

I couldn’t stop myself.

“The weirdo vegetarian who couldn’t even look me in the eyes or hold a conversation the first handful of times we saw each other in person is telling me that I have issues?” I snorted. “The guy who has lusted after a stranger since high school thinks I have issues? Really, Lucas?”

“Ouch.”

Clearing my throat, I sat back, realizing that I was being snarkier than the conversation required. Lucas wasn’t my enemy. He didn’t have to point out my faults, but he wasn’t my enemy. I didn’t have to come back at him with snarky remarks like I would Oma.

“I’m sorry.”

“Forgiven.” He nodded.

“Just like that?”

“Yes. That easy.”

“I’m not that easy.” I realized what I said and couldn’t help but grin evilly. “Usually.”

He smiled back.

“I didn’t ask for your hand in marriage, Rob.” He said. “I just asked if you wanted to continue this with dinner and a movie. See where it leads. That’s all.”

“I don’t know who I am, Lucas.”

And there it was. The truth fell out of my mouth without me even willing it or realizing that I had it cued up to fall out of my mouth. Lucas frowned more deeply as he watched me from across the tabletop. Unsure of how long we just stared at each other, Jill showed up with our plates and set them down in front of us before we spoke again. We both thanked her for our food and she wandered off again. Lucas broke eye contact first as he unraveled his napkin wrapped silverware.

“What does that mean?” He asked simply.

Unwrapping my own silverware with trembling hands, I refused to let my eyes wander away from Lucas. I wouldn’t look insecure or vulnerable. I had seen this man’s penis after all.

A very nice penis.

Shut up, brain.

“Who the hell am I, Lucas?” I said, grabbing ahold of my fork. “Who was Rob Wagner before I went off and became Jacob Michaels? Who was Jacob Michaels? Who is Rob Wagner if he’s not Jacob Michaels?”

Lucas stared at me, wide-eyed.

“I’ve spent a decade pretending I’m someone I’m not to the point that I have no idea who I really am.” I looked around surreptitiously and leaned in. “I didn’t even know werewolves were real and that my Oma…there are a lot of things I don’t know about…anything…because I’ve been too busy being Jacob Michaels and denying I was Rob Wagner. Now, I’m back here, and my intention was just to be whoever it is that Rob Wagner is…and I don’t even know who that is. And werewolves are real. Happy Monday.”

Lucas chuckled and cut into his omelet.

“I need to ask you a question,” I asked tentatively as I skewered a piece of honeydew melon from my fruit cup. “Is that okay?”

“Of course.” Lucas popped the bite of omelet into his mouth.

His beautiful, sexy, delicious mouth.

Stop. Stop. Stop.

“Who are you?”

“I’m sorry?” He smiled crookedly.

Popping the piece of fruit into my mouth, I kept my eyes on his. Those gilded jade eyes that were just a little too beautiful. Lucas had beautiful eyes. Lips that were just too kissable. Skin that was just too perfectly tanned and smooth. He was so appealing in every way.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “That came out wrong. What are you?”

Lucas set his fork on his plate and sat back in his seat.