Page 7

“Just a few weeks.” Fuck. It’s hard to believe Jack met Poppy right here in this building. The odds are insane. Out of everyone in Worthington Hills, my brother walks into the lobby and finds his soulmate waiting for him on the fucking elevator.

I used to think that stuff was bullshit, but now I get it.

Every time Nadia laughs, the sound hits something deep inside me. I want to bottle it. Hoard it. Never let anyone else have it.

It’s like the universe is running some kind of two-for-one deal on soulmates. Jack found his girl, and now I’m sitting here, watching the woman of my dreams charm my ornery Frenchie—and my whole world tilts on its axis.

Lightning doesn’t strike twice? Yeah, right. It just did—and I am so goddamn happy I could burst. It’s like static is still arcing under my skin, electrifying every inch of me.

Nadia strokes Salty, slow and soothing, and I feel this weird, fizzy lightness in my chest as I reach for the remote.

“What kind of movie do you feel like watching?” My voice comes out low and a little rough.

She tips her head, side-eyeing me. “Horror. Always horror,” she says, like it’s a challenge. “But only if you and Salty can handle it.”

I glance at Salty, who is currently attempting to stretch his little body far enough to reach the tiny bit of crust left on my plate while maintaining intense eye contact with me. “Salty’s a tough little shit,” I deadpan. “But you might need to sit close so I can handle it.”

Nadia snorts hard, and I watch as her eyes squeeze shut and her nose crinkles, and I realize I’ve turned into a pussy-whipped sap just like my brother.

Halfway through the first movie, she starts to nod off. I pretend not to notice, because the last thing I want is to send her home. But when her head drops onto my shoulder, I freeze. She jerks upright, embarrassed.

“Oh my God. I’m so sorry,” she says, voice thick with mortification. “I swear, I’m not usually this—” She trails off, blinking hard. Her face flushes. “Long day.”

“Don’t apologize,” I say, but my voice is hoarse. I want to kiss her so bad I think I might be dying.

But I don’t. Instead, I lean back and let her settle, and within five minutes, her head is right back on my shoulder. Salty has wormed his way between us, content to play chaperone, but he’s not enough of a barrier to keep me from wanting more.

I put my arm along the back of the couch and gently rub circles on her upper back, and her whole body relaxes like I just flipped a switch. She makes a soft noise in the back of her throat, a sound that hits me below the belt and sends my brain into overdrive.

I have to take it slow. I know that. But I want her so bad it’s physically painful.

The movie ends, and she’s sound asleep, snoring softly. I don’t want to wake her up and disturb this moment. But I also don’t want to give up the chance to be this close to her. I grab a blanket off the back of the sofa and wrap it around us. Salty glances up at me sleepily with a look that screams, “Are we really going to sleep on the sofa like peasants?” I tuck his little ass between us on top of the cover and pull Nadia closer. It isn’t the most comfortable position, but I’ll happily wake up a little sore if it means holding her in my arms all night long.