"I know," Soren replies softly. "But sometimes... sometimes, you just know. And I know this sounds crazy..." He runs a hand through his hair, feeling rather foolish now. "But I want to be your mate, ben. Is that... is that something you'd even consider?"

Ben blushes again and looks down at their joined hands before finally meeting his gaze once more. "I don't know," she says softly. "I mean...

"You're right," Soren agrees with a sigh. "We hardly know each other at all. But I promise you..." He cups her cheek in his palm, rubbing his thumb gently across her soft skin. "... if we give this a chance, I will do everything in my power to make you happy."

For a moment, she seems to consider his words before nodding slowly. "All right," she says finally. "Let's see... where should we go from here?"

"Actually," Soren confessed, his cheeks burning redder by the second, "I'm...um...I'm still looking." His voice came out so quiet that he wasn't even sure if she heard him over the background noise of the coffee shop. Then, with a sudden burst of courage that surprised even himself, he continued. "But I don't think I've ever met anyone like you before...and I really hope..." He trailed off, unable to finish his sentence.

His heart raced as he waited for her reply. "What do you mean?" he asked cautiously, his eyes locked on hers. "Do you know someone who might be right for me?" He couldn't help but hope that she did; that maybe she was trying to tell him something important about himself without coming right out and saying it.

It seemed like an eternity before she answered. Finally, she took another sip of her coffee and said softly, "Maybe...I just get the feeling there's someone special out there for you."