Unexpected Soulmate

I sit at the too-nice table, inside the too-exquisite restaurant that I would never be caught in ordinarily, tiredly staring at a guy who thinks he is God’s gift to women… and probably God’s gift to the whole world. I have listened to him prattle on and on about stock options, and his freaking red Ferrari, and his daddy the Governor….

Oh. my. God. I want to just pass out from boredom. But he doesn’t seem to catch the hint from my fingers tap! tap! tapping on the table, or my head resting wearily on my fist as I lazily sip at my large glass of merlot.

Before tonight, I had never officially met Lance Thompson, and after tonight… I have no desire to know him. My best friend Tallie set us up, adamant that Lance is the sort of guy I should be dating. I roll my eyes at the thought. This guy, Tallie? Him?! I think Tallie assumed that the fact he had money, status, and was technically intelligent, were all enough to sway my unswayable heart.

Well… she was freaking wrong.

I try not to pass out from boredom, and also try not to roll my eyes too many times when he’s looking, just to hold onto a semblance of politeness. “So, Haley, what’s your major?”

My eyes widen. Wow! He’s actually asking a question about me? Sure, he said my name wrong, but hey, who cares, right?

I force a smile, sitting up a little as I tuck my red hair behind my ear, and straighten my little black dress with the white stones lining the neckline. “I’m majoring in English with a focus on Literature and minoring in Writing.” I prattle off, “And… it’s Halyn, by the way.” I say as cheerily as possible.

He looks back at me in confusion, “What’s a Halyn?” He says, his black brows furrowed over dark grey eyes that I swear hold no emotion or life.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, forcing my smile to widen, “My name. You called me Haley. My name… it’s Halyn.” I offer as gently as possible.

He hesitates, his always better-than-you expression still obvious on his face, almost to say, Do I look like I care? “Right.” He offers a practiced mega-watt smile, “So, Halyn.” He waits as if to confirm he was right. I nod once with a little smile, “Natalie tells me that your father is a life coach?”

I nearly scoff out my sip of wine, “Um… no. He’s a Psychologist, but he also practices law. So, I guess sometimes people may ask his advice on lifestyle?” I can’t help but laugh at that. My dad is one of the biggest sticks in the mud you could ever meet. Everything with him is organized and precise… and he lost his entire family because of his unrealistic expectations. Yeah… not the person I’d be asking for lifestyle tips.

His eyes briefly shine with curiosity, but somehow it’s not an endearing sort of curiosity… “Well, I heard that the Governor of New York consults with him… and that a few leaders from different countries even meet with him when he visits overseas!” Now he sounds excited, yet again… it doesn’t feel genuine in a likable way. It feels selfish.

I grit my teeth, and sip at my wine again, “Yeah, I think I read that somewhere too.” I murmur, letting him hear the bored tone now.

He looks surprised, “I’m surprised he doesn’t talk about it.” he says almost like a question. Lance is pre-law, so I should’ve expected the careful questioning.

I nod once, “I haven’t seen my dad in about 6 years, Lance. So… the only contact I get with his life is through the same magazines everyone else gets their secondhand information from.” I reply coldly.

He stares back with wide eyes. I find I oddly enjoy the shock… it’s the first true emotion I think I’ve seen playing on his face. He’s probably realizing now that, without the connection to my father, that I’m useless to his political aspirations. “Oh wow… I’m…” he hesitates, brows knitted together like he’s really trying to think about what to say in response, “I’m sorry?” he questions.

I can’t help but scoff out a laugh, “Hey it’s fine. Well… Lance… this has been just great, but I need to get back to my apartment.” his eyes shine again, and this time I sense it’s for a different reason. I narrow my gaze, “Because I have to study…” his gaze just darkens, an annoying smirk on his aesthetically handsome face.

He pushes his chair a little closer, “Oh yeah? What are you going to study?” he asks, not even hiding the fact he’s looking at my cleavage.

I glare openly at him now, “The Psychology behind the male species thinking they have even an inkling of a chance to have coitus.” I say, picking up my purse without any other preamble.

He looks back at me, the perfect look of uncertainty on his face as he tries to think through what I’d said to him, “What class is that for?”

I roll my eyes, “Good night Lance.”

I start to walk by him, trying to get out of the crowded restaurant, but he grabs my arm. A few people, mainly women, glance at me with pity, but no one says a word. His grip tightens, a darkness filling his formerly emotionless eyes, “The night is not over, Halyn.” He says through his teeth. There’s a really dangerous look inside his gaze… it’s deep… like a black hole.

I pull my hand back, gasping for a quick breath, and I stumble right into a hard body. I go to apologize, but then the stranger’s fingers brush over my arms in a comforting sort of way that also sends my skin into fits of tingles. I swear the world moves in slow motion as I look up into his soft, light blue eyes that are trained with irritation on Lance. Light blonde hair falls into his eyes, and I have the ungodly urge to move the strands.

I gulp in a breath. “Lance, the lady said the night is over.” His voice is warm like honey, yet deep… and it awakens an unabashed desire inside of me. I swear I’ve heard that voice a million times, yet I know that I’ve never met this man.

“Mind your own business, Pearson.” Lance says coolly, but as I look back at those dark eyes again, I sense fear.

“Miss, would you like to join me and my sister?” ‘Pearson’ asks so sweetly, and my heart swoons and my cheeks flush with heat.

“I…” I barely glance back at Lance, who is fuming, and I nod. “I’d love that.” I offer with a grateful smile.

He grins back at me, and I find I like the joyful glint to his eyes. He feels so comforting… like sitting by a fireplace on a cool night, reading your favorite book and sipping cocoa—he somehow embodies that. I take his hand without thinking, and he meets my eye… and I swear for a moment he shines. He’s so much taller than me, probably standing at over 6’3 compared to my 5’5… yet I don’t feel like he’s looking down at me, but rather into me. His stare is so direct, welcoming.

Lance is growling at a waiter, saying something about being done, but I barely hear him. He doesn’t even exist in my world right now… it’s only me and my mystery savior.

He looks back at Lance and his gaze darkens for just a moment, and then he looks at me again, with a gentle smile, “My name is James by the way—James Pearson. I hope you didn’t mind me stepping in. If you just want to leave now that he’s gone, it’s totally fine.” he promises.

My heart breaks a little at the thought of leaving him. I look back down at our still linked hands and smile back at the surprised look on his face—he’s also looking at our entwined fingers in awe as if he hadn’t realized we were still linked.

“Well James, my name is Halyn… and why would I leave? It looks like I just found my friends here.” I offer with a grin.

He chuckles back with an easy nod as he guides me to a back table. There’s a girl with black-brown hair that’s cut in a curly pixie style. She looks at me with gentleness, and familiar kindness, “Hi.” she says in a small, sweet voice. She’s probably only a year or two younger than me, but the purity shining from inside of her makes her feel younger, yet the knowing look in her eyes hints at an old soul. “I’m Feira.”

I glance at James and then back to her, “I’m Halyn.” I repeat with a chuckle.

She offers a musical laugh, “Right.”

I sit with them and everything is comfortable. Everything with Feira and James and I felt natural as if we’d been friends for years. I found myself laughing like I hadn’t in so long. It was easy… and lately, nothing is easy in my life.

“Can I get you anything else?” The waiter says, trying so hard to hold back his obvious irritation that we’ve been holding this table for over 2 hours on a Friday night.

James grins at him, “I’m so sorry… we lost track of time.” He hands him a $100 bill with a very kind smile, “Keep the change.” he says, grabbing his phone and wallet as he puts them in his pockets. Feira grabs her purse and we all silently agree to leave.

The waiter is still staring at the bill, realizing that he’s just been given at least a $50 tip, “Thank you so much, sir.” His voice barely comes out.

James pats his shoulder, “No problem. Have a great night.”

I can’t help but smile at James… he’s just so… so naturally good. I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone like him before. I didn’t think guys like him even existed in this century. I find myself grinning. Lance had dropped a $50 tip at the bar, but it was so showy, so obviously meant to draw attention… while James did it as if it were as natural as breathing. He didn’t care if a soul was watching him.

Once we all get outside, Feira linked arms with me, a bright grin on her lips, “Halyn, you have to come with us to Cosmos. James said they have mini golf!”

I laugh, “Oh… I…” I glance back into James’s eyes, and I see hope there.

He nods, “If you are busy we understand, but we’d love to have you come with us.”

My cheeks warm, and something bubbles up inside of me. I almost feel emotional for the way they want to include me, “I’d love to.” I say adamantly. Tallie had hoped I’d find my soulmate tonight… and though she was off base with her pick, I think fate still managed to catch up with me. I smile, following James and his sister, suddenly so excited for what the rest of the night could bring.