Page 120 of Atlas
“Don’t lie to me. What’s going on.”
“I went on a date tonight.”
“Let me guess; it didn’t go well.”
Lumi’s voice broke. “What’s wrong with me?”
“There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re bright and fantastic. Any man would be lucky to have you. You just need to find someone strong enough to challenge you.”
“I’ve tried, Atlas, but I always find faults with the men I date. I keep comparing them to…” She trailed off with a sigh. “It's sad how many of us are in love with someone we can't have and how many are with someone they don't love.”
“Lumi.” I rubbed my forehead. “Be patient. The right man will come. I promise you.”
“What if he already did, but he didn’t like what he saw?”
“Then he wouldn’t be the right person for you.”
She was quiet for a moment. “Atlas, did you ever think about the people who die young from suicide or an accident? What if they were meant to be with someone they hadn’t met yet, and now that person will end up single or with the wrong person? Maybe that’s what happened to me. Maybe my Mr. Right was killed in a car accident when he was a teenager, and now I’m doomed never to find love.”
“You’ll find love, Lumi. I promise. It happened to me, and you know how messed up I was. Jolene has seen my ugly side, but she still loves me. You’re not half as damaged as I was.”
“What if Jolene didn’t love you as more than a friend? Do you think you could ever stop comparing other women to her?”
“It would be hard,” I admitted. “But you can’t give up. Somewhere out there, the right man is going to blow your socks off.”
“I hope you’re right, and until then, I’ll be on this side of the Atlantic feeling jealous of what you and Jolene have. It must be exciting to take that big a step. Have you talked about baby names yet?”
“No. She’s not pregnant yet. We have time.”
“Yes, of course. It’s exciting. Listen, I’ll leave you to fold the laundry and see if I can fall asleep. I’ve got a long day tomorrow.”
“All right, I’ll check in with you in a few days, and remember what I said. Don’t tell anyone about the baby thing. It’s a secret.”
“You can trust me.”
“I know.”
“Love you, Atlas.”
“Love you too. Sweet dreams.”
“Who are you talking to?”
I looked up to see Jolene dressed in her soft red robe. “Lumi. She couldn’t sleep.”
“Oh.”
I opened my arms, motioning for Jolene to come closer. She slid down on my lap, and we leaned back on the couch together. “I wish I knew how to help her.”
“Does she want help?”
“I think so. Lumi is turning twenty-nine this September, and it’s getting to her. She wants what we have.”
“I don’t blame her. Having a sexy footman is every woman’s fantasy.”
I squeezed her. “Watch it, or I’ll pull you over my lap and spank you right here.”
Jolene nestled up against me and played with my fingers on my right hand. “What about Damian? I sensed there was chemistry between them.”
