Chapter Twenty-Six

If I didn’t have an afternoon meeting, I’d probably stay out until it was time to go home. The good thing about walking around in this unusually cold March weather is that it’s frozen me solid. I’m not even shedding any tears. Of course, I can’t feel my face or hands, but that’s a small price to pay.

I slowly make my way back to the office, eyes on the sidewalk in front of me.

“Sammi?”

I turn and see David, dressed sensibly for the weather in a long coat. “Hey,” I say, since I can’t think of anything else. “What are you doing here?”

“I just grabbed some lunch from the deli down the street. Where’s your coat?”

“Forgot it.”

Shaking his head, he shrugs out of his and drapes it around my shoulders.

It smells like David, warm and woodsy, with a hint of mint. “It’s okay. I’m not that cold.” I start to take it off, but he stops me.

“Your nose is redder than Rudolph’s, and your teeth are chattering.” He arranges the coat around me, tighter this time. “I know you’re supposed to be all totally outrageous and unpredictable, but what the hell are you doing out in the cold like this?”

“Just…had to clear my head.” There’s no way I’m unloading on David. “I wasn’t feeling well.”

“So you decided to freeze yourself to death?” He sighs. “Look, if you don’t feel well, go home.”

“I have a meeting.”

“The meeting can happen without you.”

True enough. Tim would order me home if he knew how awful I’m feeling at the moment.

“Also, I sent you a text, but you never responded,” David says.

“I left my phone at home. What did you need me for?”

“Just wanted to know if you were available for lunch.”

If this had happened a month ago, I would’ve been ecstatic. Jumped at the chance and twirled around. But right now, I can’t muster anything except “Oh.”

“I wanted to thank you for the help, and”—David shrugs, then gives me a sweet smile—“spend a little time with you.”

I stand there, staring at him. This is exactly what I wanted for four years, but now that he’s asking me out, I just…don’t know what to say.

The logical part says I should say yes because he’s the one I want. Okay, so there’s no spark, but is that really important? At least David doesn’t have a secret child or a woman tucked away somewhere. His family isn’t just nice; they actually like me. He’s smart. We both like superhero movies, and David loves dogs.

“What about Amy?” I ask, remembering the name of his rebound Tamiflu.

“She went home,” he says. “Left last week. Just so you know, she and I are friends, nothing more.”

I had no idea. But then, I haven’t been following his Instagram and Facebook feeds. I’ve been busy with Luke.

I guess this means we’re both totally free. Clearly, my relationship with Luke is no longer…valid. And I can put my theory to the test—that the only reason why I haven’t felt any chemistry is because David and I were never both available.

David reaches out and holds my frozen hands in his, as though to heat them up. His skin’s so warm and nice, but I’m still not feeling any spark.

Is he?

“Sammi?” David prompts.

All the reasons why we are perfect for each other—family background, education, et cetera—are still there. And they’re so, so important. But I realize I want the chemistry too.

I want it all. I deserve it all.

And I understand if Luke hadn’t popped into my life, and David and I had finally hooked up, we wouldn’t have lasted long because I would’ve realized something was missing.

“You’re right,” I say, suddenly weary. “I should grab my stuff and go home early. I’m really not feeling well.” I gently pull my hands away.

He gives me an oddly disappointed look—not sure why, since he’s the one who suggested I go home—but manages a smile anyway.

We walk back together, and I return his coat in the lobby.

My head is throbbing. It’s like the universe has decided to get perverse with me, create a man who’s ideal in every way except for the fact that I don’t feel any chemistry with him. No matter how many times we come in contact with each other…even if I kiss him, he’s not going to turn into a prince for me, although he will for someone else. And I want a prince of my own.

As for Luke… He’s a very clever frog that managed to convince me he’s really a prince. But he’ll never turn into one because he… Well, he just isn’t.

It’s amazing how clearly you can see things when your mind isn’t working perfectly. It can’t come up with plausible explanations because the truth is really that simple. And that painful.