“Fine, yes,” Seth said. “But notextrafine. At least wear that dark green pin-striped shirt you bought.” He smiled. “It really brings out your eyes. And maybe splash on a little of that man-getting cologne you like so much. It’s veryalluring.”He chuckled. “I’m straight and even I think so.”
Graham glanced at him, a bit annoyed that Seth was taking this so lightly. He knew that this unexpected—unwanted—turn of events had Graham confused and upset. “I’m not going on adate.”
“Maybe.” Seth shrugged. “You never know what it’ll turn into.”
“That isn’t funny,” Graham whispered, his voice straining. “I realize I was foolish to think that I could justdecideto fall in love with Micah and that fate would fall in line, but…” he swallowed. “Foolish or not…I really believed he was the one. And now…” He looked away and rubbed his damp eyes. “Now…I can’t get thisotherguy out of my head and I feel like I’m beingunfaithfulto Micah, like everything I felt for him all along wasn’t real…and was a waste of my time.”
Seth shifted on the bed. “First of all, you didn’t justdecideto fall in love with Micah. It wasn’t a conscious decision to do so. It was the things dad told you about him that made you fall in love with him. You’re not a fool for thinking he was the one. You don’t know that he isn’t. You haven’t even met him yet. And what you feltwasreal—because youfeltit. And it’s never a waste of your time to care about someone.”
“You don’t get it, Seth,” Graham whispered. “What happened this morning in the terminal…that wasit—thatmoment.TheThunderbolt.And even if I never see that man again…he will forever haunt me. Even if I fell in love with someone else, this man would always be there in the back of my mind, constantly reminding me that I wasn’t with my soulmate. And if I can’t give someone mywholeheart…then I don’t want to giveanyof it.” He closed his eyes, his heart hollowing out. “Especiallywith Micah. A man like him deserves more than a half-hearted romance.”
Seth quietly cleared his throat. “Like I said,” he murmured. “Just meet with him…and go from there.” He paused then added, “Andwearthe green shirt—it really does look great on you.”
Graham sighed and nodded. He didn’t have the mental fortitude to debate with his brother on the matter.
Thirty minutes later, he left the motel wearing the green shirt, black slacks—and a light splash of his favorite “man-getting” cologne. But he wouldn’t be “getting” a man today. He’d had high hopes that he might when he’d boarded the plane back home. Now…
Stop thinking about it and just get it over with.
Guilt needled Graham. He owed Micah Rosea lot.So, just because he wasn’t his “soulmate”—none of the rest mattered now? That was bullshit. And if he let that one single altered event cause him to believe the other wasn’t just as important as it was before—then he wasn’t nearly the man he’d like to think he was.
It wasn’t within his power to dispel the heaviness in his chest, but he readjusted his mindset regarding his meeting with Micah Rose. This man played a monumental part in healing their family—he should be greatly looking forward to meeting him, with or without the other possibilities.
Sitting behind the steering wheel, Graham took in a couple deep breaths and released them on controlled exhales. He could do this. Hewoulddo it. And he would make sure Micah Rose came away from it feeling the depth of Graham’s gratitude and admiration. It was theleasthe could do for all that Micah Rose had given them.
Graham held onto that positive motivator—until he pulled up to the diner. He’d imagined this moment a thousand times over, fantasized about meeting Micah for the very first time…and experiencingthe moment.It cut to the core that it had been stolen away from him—hijacked.That’s how it felt to Graham. He didn’t blame the man from the airport. Themomenthad taken him by surprise as well. Maybe he was disappointed it had happened with Graham. Was there someone else he had believed to behissoulmate? Was he equally upset that it happened the way it did?
Keep the faith.
Graham stared at the diner. The late afternoon light reflected off the windows, turning them into mirrors. He had no idea if Micah Rose was already in there. He hoped not. It would take him a few minutes, at best, to settle in and prepare himself.
You won’t know if he’s here until you go inside.
True. Yet his body refused to obey his mind and he continued to grip the steering wheel.
Why did everything have to be ruined? I was so close…almost here.
Graham let out a hard breath and shoved open the driver door. He was supposed to be here for Micah’s benefit, not his own. He silently berated himself for being so self-involved and selfish. But it was difficult keeping things in perspective when his heart was hanging in the balance by a thread that threatened to snap at any given moment.
Gathering his courage, Graham walked to the diner entrance, hesitated, then entered. He made a quick sweep of the counter, booths, and tables. Of the few patrons present, none fit the description of Micah Rose.
With a small sigh of relief, he walked over to the booth where his father had first met Micah and took a seat. The waitress brought him coffee and offered him a menu. He politely declined and stirred cream into his cup. Now that he wasright here,his anxiety went into overload. He gripped his cup tighter to keep his hands from shaking as he blew on the steaming drink and stared out the window, his heart furiously tapping an erratic tune against his ribs.
∞∞∞
Micah spotted Graham O’Brien’s car immediately—the same car his brother had been driving. A rental. The diner windows gleamed, reflecting the clouded sky overhead and its own parking lot—making it impossible to get a glimpse inside.
There was plenty of parking space on either side of Graham O’Brien’s vehicle out front, but Micah guided his car to the side of the diner, out of view of the windows. He didn’t immediately get out. His heart thundered in his chest and head—racing with fear and excitement. It was hard to tell which dominated the other. They seemed equal foes at the moment.
Micah had Mark, Nick, and Wendy’s voices in his head assuring him he had nothing to fear. It was comforting—but didn’t quell the quiet terror churning in his heart. He was scared to death something would go wrong, and that, for whatever reason, the “effect” he and Graham O’Brien had had on one another would have weakened when they met again. Or perhaps the real fear was thathiseffect on Graham would be weakened…even gone. The tiniest thought of Graham kept Micah’s heartrate pumping—he had no doubt that Graham’s effect would remain as strong as it was that morning. But what if he looked in his eyes…and there was nothing in those emerald pools for him?
“Just do it,” he whispered. “And try to have a little faith.”
Surely God wouldn’t walk him right up to the threshold of hismiracle…and then take it?
Go and find out.
Micah exited the car. His legs were weak and unsteady as he slowly walked around the corner of the diner. He slowed as he approached the entrance door and peered inside. It took only an instant to spot Graham O’Brien…sitting at Salvador’s table. From where he stood, Micah wasn’t easily detectable. His feet rooted to the ground as he just stared at the man. His heart beat at his chest wall—eager to get to him.
Graham looked out the front window, his face expressionless but for a soft crease in his brow. Had Seth told him about Micah? Something in his gut said no.
At the table, Graham slowly turned from the window. His head sank down and he squeezed the bridge of his nose with his fingertips…and remained like that. Loss and despair emanated from the man and brought tears to Micah’s eyes. He ached to comfort him—wrap him in his arms…and never let go.
Micah blinked, his throat working.
Please, God…
He blinked again and entered the diner.
