Soulmate Prompt #17

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"Stop trying to fix me up," Laine implored.

"Sorry, I just want you to be happy," Valencia replied.

"I can be alone and still be happy. Just because you need a man to complete you," Laine said, knowing she was pushing Val's buttons. Val and Ted had been together forever.  They were soulmates, if such a thing existed.

"Fine. I get it. I'll resign from my job as matchmaker," Val declared dramatically. "Besides with you, the job was too hard."

"That's because I never wanted your services. My priority is passing my exams. Nothing else matters," Laine reminded her.

Truthfully her bank account mattered, because it was almost empty. After eight years of school, she was two exams away from being a registered pharmacist. She was eager to say goodbye to the poor girl who grew up in foster care forever.

"You should go to the cabin to study without any distractions," Val suggested.

Laine reluctantly realized that it was the perfect solution.

Laine left two days later. She had been to Val's family's mountain cabin a few times.  She stopped for groceries, although she could only afford bread, peanut butter, crackers, and canned soup. Now she had the extra expense of gas for her ten year old Corolla. She was unpacking her groceries, when the door burst open.

A man came in and said, "Oh hi. You must be the caretaker. Did you get the supplies I emailed you about?"

"I'm not a caretaker. I'm a guest of the Martin family," Laine replied confused.

"There must be some mistake because Henry made the arrangements for me to stay," he said, as he took off his down coat and hat.

When Laine looked up and saw his face, she gasped. "You're Ian Breslow."

"How do you know who I am?" he asked surprised.

"Let's see you're the heir apparent to Breslow Industries. I also just saw your face on the cover of one of those trashy gossip rags. You were dating Ana Corbell and now she's dating her co-star from her latest movie."

He stood with his jaw dropped, but finally asked, "You read that filth?"

"No, but the line at the market was long. I usually never believe them, but everyone knows you dated Ana."

"Who are you?" he asked annoyed.

"I'm Laine Nelson, best friend of Valencia Martin and I've come to study, so you can just go home."

"I'm not leaving. I came to hide from the press."

"Fine stay, but don't bother me," Laine said, but was thinking how am I going to study with Ian Breslow here. He was beyond good looking and built, with broad shoulders, narrow waist and a butt that looked like it was made especially for the jeans he was wearing. She came to get away from distractions and instead was sharing the cabin with pure testosterone and pheromones.

She grabbed her laptop and books and started setting up. He watched her and asked, "What are you studying?"

Sighing, she answered, "For my pharmacy exams. Remember no disturbing me!"

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She was too busy on her laptop, to see his smirk. She was a feisty one, Ian decided. Maybe he'd fair better with the annoying press then in this cabin with Ms. Nelson.  There was a knock on the door.

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In walked a middle aged woman, with a hairstyle that was outdated years ago. Laine felt kind by describing her as plus sized. She reminded her of  various foster mothers she had.  The woman placed two brown bags on the counter and Ian followed her outside to bring in more.

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