Page 165 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

“How ya’ doing, darling?” Benny asks me as he hands me Hercules’s specially made hot dog.

His face is thinner than when Lake and I luckily caught up to him outside of Washington Square Park several weeks ago. His once twinkling bright eyes are dull too.

“Thank you,” I say quietly as I take my hot dog from him. My glance passes over Hercules, who doesn’t seem to notice what I’m seeing.

“How are you feeling these days, Benny?” I ask.

“Fine, darling. I knew that was you I saw outside the park, three weeks ago,” he says. “I never forgot a face, especially a lovely one like yours.”

“Aww.” I grin warmly, aware that he doesn’t want to talk about whatever caused the changes I see in him.

“She said she wasn’t hungry, Benny,” Hercules says.

I’ve already taken my first bite, and an explosion of divine flavors spread through my mouth like wildfire. Chewing, I give Benny a thumbs-up.

“Hungry or not, you will always eat my hot dog,” Benny proudly declares.

“True,” Hercules says, patting the man on the back. “So, we’ll talk, right?”

Benny’s head bobs when he nods. “All right, kid. We’ll talk.” Benny smiles weakly at me. “Good to see you, darling.”

My smile is bigger and brighter. “You too. Hope to find you again soon.”

Benny pushes his cart away without responding. Hercules and I stare at his back for a moment, then we look at each other.

“Is he okay?” I ask.

“A couple of punks robbed him last week.”

I slap a hand over my mouth and gasp.

“He came out physically unscathed, but mentally, he’s not doing so well. I made him a proposition—to give him his own shop wherever he wants in the city, full staff.”

“How gracious of you,” I say, smoothing my collarbone. The only reason I know I’ve just done that is because Hercules is watching my hand and my cleavage. I remove my hand. It’s just that I’m so turned on by his goodness. That cousin of his is a lucky girl. “You’ve always been a good guy.”

He tilts his head and frowns curiously. It looks like he’s about to say something, but then he turns to the gate that leads to his private park.

Hercules holds out a hand, ushering me in the direction he wants me to go. “Shall we?”

I nod then walk, following his guidance. But I do wonder why he looks so confused about me referring to him as a good guy.Does he not believe it?Or maybe I don’t know him at all.

Hercules extends an arm, almost touching me, as he taps the finger recognition pad. The gate buzzes and clicks to unlock, then Hercules holds open the door for me.

He doesn’t say anything as our gazes sizzle at each other when I pass him. I have no words either. But my pulse races like winds of a hurricane. My head and feet are so buoyant as we stroll past perfectly manicured shrubs and cherry trees wearing their spring bloom like a cottony pink sweater.

“You match the trees,” Hercules remarks.

My breaths are momentarily suspended as I look at his gorgeous face, my dress, then the trees.

I snort softly. “I guess so. You know cherry trees are my favorite. Jacarandas used to be my favorites when I lived in California. But now it’s cherry trees.” I shake my head. I have no idea why I said that.

“Why are you shaking your head?” Hercules asks as we sit on our favorite bench. The iron glistens in the sun, shining as if it’s just been cleaned.

“Because I’m babbling.”

One side of his kissable mouth swings up into a delectable smirk. “I like to hear you babble. You like trees. That’s good to know.”

He’s flirting. He’s engaged.I stop smiling and take a bite of my hot dog.Umm… The flavors.Chewing, I say, “One bite is all it takes.”