The Soul Mate (Roommates, # 4)

“I don’t know, man. This is some deep shit.”

I nodded. “I know. It’s insane. It makes no sense to be disappointed.”

“And how does she feel?” Trent asked.

“I don’t know. I left almost right after we found out and she hasn’t answered my texts since. She seemed as upset as I was, though. It seemed like I’d just gotten her to open up a little and the news sealed her right back up, tighter than before.”

“Maybe she is upset,” Trent said. “Did she want children? Neither one of you are getting any younger. Biological clock and all that shit.”

“She wanted the baby, I think. She didn’t say it in as many words, but I think we both wanted the baby.”

“Well, the baby isn’t happening so, from my perspective, you need to figure something else out.”

“Like what?”

“Like whether, now that you’re not going to be a family, you still want to see this girl and maybe have a family with her down the line.”

“I do. Absolutely. But if she won’t answer my text-”

“Then you need to figure out how to get back on the right track. The Mason I know doesn’t give up at the first sign of a challenge.”

We walked into the neonatal unit and a nurse approached us, briefing us on which babies needed to be rocked or fed. I picked up the first little girl she’d pointed to-a tiny thing with delicate pink skin and a shock of dark hair.

Taking a bottle from the nurse, I fed the little girl, rocked her in my arms, and held back another rush of regret as I stared into her wide blue eyes. She was perfect in every way. Beautiful. Just like I’d pictured my own daughter for that brief, shining moment yesterday evening.

“You okay?” Trent asked as he rocked a baby boy.

I nodded. “Yup. Just realizing that for once, you’re right, man. I need to figure out something and quick. If I don’t, I’m going to be letting the woman I want get away.”

Now the only question was what exactly I needed to do to get her to realize that there was more than just this baby that never was between us.

“Now you’re thinking. Shit, maybe you should take her away for the weekend, make a grand gesture and all that,” Trent said. “Women love that shit.”

He was right. We needed the focus back on me and Bren. Start fresh. Someplace that was totally different from all the places we’d been when we were thinking we might become a family. A chance to start over.

I glanced down at the baby in my arms, then settled her back in her crib before I pulled my phone from my lab coat pocket.

“Trent, any chance you can cover for me today?” I asked.

Trent frowned. “Yeah, all right. Everything okay?”

I nodded. “Totally fine. I’m going to do it.”

“Do what?”

“Take Bren away.”

Trent chuckled. “I didn’t mean today, dude.”

“No time like the present.”

If she wasn’t answering my message, I had to send one she had no choice but to respond to.

With quick fingers, I typed, “Get ready. We’re leaving in an hour.”

Then, when I heard the chime letting me know the message had been sent, I called the zoo and asked to be transferred to the head of endangered animals. Then I waited until a clear, chirpy female voice filled the line.

“Mandy with the City Zoo. How can I help you today?”

“Hi, Mandy. This is Mason. I’m calling in reference to Bren Matthew’s schedule.”

There was a slight pause, and then she said, “What about it?”

“Well, I have a few questions. First, is she there today?”

“Not until this afternoon,” she replied slowly. “It’s her late night. Why?”

“Would it be possible to rearrange the schedule so that Bren didn’t come in to work for a few days? It’s important.”

Another pause. “Is this Dr. Bentley?”

“It is.”

Her next long pause made my gut tense, but then she spoke.

“I think I can manage that, Mason,” Mandy said. “I’m guessing it’s for a surprise?”

“It is.”

“Well, have fun and don’t let my girl tell you no. She can be stubborn.”

Relief shot through me at her words, but I was only halfway to the goal line. I still had no idea if my Hail Mary for a touchdown was going to backfire or win Bren over.

“I won’t.” I hung up the phone, then glanced at Trent. “I can reschedule my next couple days of appointments, but other than that, you’re sure you can handle things here?”

He nodded. “I’ll hold down the fort. Just text me your itinerary when you have one so I know when you’ll be back.”

The phone in my pocket chimed and I dug it out to find a response from Bren.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Can’t. Work tonight.”

I typed back a rapid reply:

“Not anymore. Bring clothes for warm weather.”

I could tell she read my response and when she didn’t reply for five minutes, I launched into action. Might as well take that as a yes.

The next hour was a rush of buying luggage and tickets, along with reserving a last-minute villa, but when I finally arrived at Bren’s door an hour later, it was with a deep sense of satisfaction. This was going to work. I had no doubt about that. I just had to get Bren to see it, too.

I knocked on the door and it flew open without warning. Bren stood facing me, her arms crossing over her slender frame, and I smiled as I took in her pretty purple sundress.

“Ready to go?” I asked.