16. Isabella
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ISABELLA
Iagreed to go on a date with Nick.
A. Date. With. Nick.
I’m leaning in, and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I want to see exactly what this tiny little flame is between us…but the fear of our inevitable end still pokes and prods at me from the dark pit of my stomach.
I know it’ll grow so large it swallows me whole, but for now, I’ll ignore it.
For now, I’ll put on my little red dress—the one with the sweetheart neckline that highlights the perfect amount of cleavage—my little red heels, and curl my hair until it runs down my back in gentle waves.
At exactly seven on the nose, my doorbell rings, and with it comes a fresh slice of first date jitters. How long has it been since I’ve been on a first date? Comically long.
I smooth the lines of my dress and take a deep, steadying breath. I can handle this.
I open the door to Nick’s smile, and I swear, every single reservation I had flies away and disappears into the night sky behind him.
His hair is freshly washed and combed back to show off the solid structure of his face, and his eyes are as clear as aquamarine. His muscular arms and chest are wrapped in a soft blue cashmere sweater that matches his eyes, paired with tan slacks and nice shoes.
He’s beautiful, and I can’t help but wonder what he’s doing here with me.
“Hi,” I say softly, lifting my gaze to his.
He stands openmouthed, staring at my dress like he’s never seen the color red in his entire life. He cradles the pink and white, lush flower bouquet in his hands to his chest and stands there still as a stone.
I tilt my head with a smile. “Hello up there?”
His head snaps up, guilt lining his smile. “Hi! Hi, Izzy. I, uh…fuck, I’m sorry. Hi. These are for you.”
I gently take the proffered bouquet, inhaling the aroma. “They’re beautiful. Thank you, Nick.”
I don’t think anyone has ever gotten me flowers, and definitely not flowers like this. Each stem is perfect, and each bud has bloomed just enough so that there’s time for them to fully blossom in a vase on my counter.
“No, those are nothing compared to you,” he says, shaking his head. “You’re stunning.”
Heat flushes my cheeks and down my neck at the sincerity in his tone. He’s not mocking me or exaggerating. He really means it.
I turn to hide my more than obvious reaction and walk back into the kitchen. “Come on in!”
Without dropping the flowers, I rummage through the kitchen trying to find a vase. I’m sure there’s one somewhere, right? Talia mentioned this place would have everything I needed, but would she expect the most gorgeous man on the planet to show up with flowers?
“Thank God,” I murmur as I finally find a singular vase hiding in one of the cupboards. Filling up the vase with water, I place it on the counter. The length of the stems is perfect for the size.
Kismet.
“Should’ve probably brought one of those.” Nick’s voice is full of goofy embarrassment. “Thank the Goddess one of us has their head on straight.”
As I turn to face him, the breath escapes my lungs in a whoosh. Nick looking gorgeous in the doorway was one thing, but Nick looking gorgeous inside the place I’m temporarily calling home? In my space? Surrounded by my things?
I’m flooded with images of him walking around barefoot. Him sprawled on the couch, wrapped in one of the cozy blankets I brought from my apartment. Him yawning as he stands in front of the open refrigerator looking for breakfast.
It’s the way he so effortlessly slides into the world I’ve created for myself here. Nick fits here.
For my entire life, I’ve felt like a lone puzzle piece in the wrong box. I’ve never belonged anywhere. No job, no apartment, no city. And here comes Nick, with his calm confidence and gentle acceptance.
I might actually feel seen for the first time in my life.
He sticks his elbow out for me with the gentlest smile, as if sensing that I’m having some sort of existential crisis. “Ready to go?”
With slow, deliberate steps, I arrive at his side and slip my hand around his arm. “Lead the way, boss.”