Perfectly Lonely - Jessica Marin Page 0,41

be back in a heartbeat,” he says with a serious expression.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to get involved with anyone until I work more on myself.”

“While I agree that you need to continue your journey of self-improvement, you of all people should know that life is short and can be gone in a second. Don’t wait for happiness, Layla, when it might be within your grasp just because you want to make yourself better. You’ll never be perfect. No one will ever be perfect.”

I let my gaze linger on his before turning back to the window, his words resonating with me as we sit in silence. While Robert is right and life is precious and short, I still would like to check off some items on my self-help list before getting into a new relationship.

The taxi pulls up in front of Robert’s office. He gets out and turns around to help me. “Are you coming?” he asks when he notices I haven’t moved.

“No, I have my weekly meeting with my boss in thirty minutes so I should just head to the office.” I give the taxi driver my office address to program into his navigation.

“Ok, call me tomorrow, and I hope you have some sex tonight!” He shuts the door and waves at me through the window with a wicked smile on his face.

The rest of my work day moves quickly and before I know it, it is eight p.m. Once work is finished, I decide to wait for Chase in the booth the head bartender and I occupied while conducting our meeting. I slowly nurse the vodka tonic that he had waiting for me when I arrived. I never realized how much I was drinking on the job before now and am quite amazed at what a functioning alcoholic I had become. Not that it is something to be proud of. I decide to take a small sip, hoping that the melted ice has since watered it down while I wait for Chase. My eyes roam over the main area of the bar, noting how much more crowded it has gotten since I’ve arrived because of people coming to take advantage of Friday night happy hour. The booth I’m in is elevated higher than the main floor, but people have congregated by the entrance, making it hard for me to see who is coming in and out. A young group of girls standing by the door start whispering to each other and nodding their heads at whomever just walked in. Feeling confident that it’s Chase, I decide to stand up and see if I can get a better view of him to catch his attention. But instead of it being Chase, my eyes widen in shock as I attract the attention of the cool ice blue eyes of Torrin Richards.

How the hell have I never met this man before, but in one day I see him three times?

I immediately sit back down and scramble to get my phone to ask Chase where he is when I see that I already have a text message from him.

Chase: Angel, I’m sorry, I’m still stuck on a conference call with my brother. Come to my house and I’ll cook for you once this call is done. I promise to keep my hands to myself…for at least the first hour.

I groan out loud, wishing we had planned this ahead of time. I start to text him back, asking for his address when I feel the seat underneath me dip. I look up to see Torrin has taken it upon himself to sit next to me in my booth.

“How is it that I have grown up in this city and have never seen you before, but in one day, I get the pleasure of seeing you three times?” he asks the same question I had just been thinking.

“That’s really creepy as I was thinking the same thing,” I smile politely at him while trying to put some distance between us.

“I think it’s a sign.” His smile catches my attention, his white teeth almost hypnotic. His lips are the perfect shade of pink and look firm and inviting. I quickly glance up at him, only to see that he saw me watching his lips. I can’t help but shiver from the glint that enters his eyes.

“I don’t believe in signs,” I say and immediately gulp down the rest of my vodka tonic to calm my nerves.

Why does this man make me feel nervous?

He