50. Nick
CHAPTER FIFTY
NICK
I’m not sure what it is, but something about tonight feels monumental. Like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff.
I could either fly or fall.
Despite walking to the park last night, I keep rolling over all the tasks in my head, looking for holes or things I needed to do but didn’t. I just want this to be perfect for Izzy. I don’t want things to fall apart because of me.
I want her to look at me at the end of all of this and tell me she wants to stay. I want her to tell me that I’m worth uprooting her life for, that she’s found happiness here.
I want to tell her that if she hates it here, I’d follow her wherever she wants to go. I’d leave my home, my job, my life if she asked me.
I don’t want to be without her.
I pull on a lightweight sweater and faded blue jeans. I don’t think I’ve ever put as much thought into my outfits before Izzy showed up.
In fact, I know I haven’t.
The need for her approval lies just underneath my skin like an itch I can’t scratch. I pace around my bedroom—having gone home after breakfast—knowing it’s not time for me to show up but wanting to be there.
A sliver of pink catches my eye. Half-hidden under the bed, I pull on the fabric until it’s fully revealed.
Panties. Izzy’s panties.
I bunch them in my fist and put them to my nose, breathing in her scent so deeply my mind swims. Drowns in her.
Before I can overthink it, I pull out my phone.
Nick: I found those pretty pink panties of yours underneath my bed.
Izzy: Oh, did you? However could they have gotten there?
Nick: At first I thought it was just circumstantial, but now I’m suspecting a planned attack.
Izzy: You’ll never know.
Nick: My entire fucking room smells like you now.
Izzy: You’re welcome.
Nick: Should I bring them with me? Stuff your mouth full of them to keep you quiet while I show you just how much they affected me?
Izzy: You’ll have to find me first.
Anticipation raises the hairs on my arms, raises goosebumps on the back of my neck.
Before I know what I’m doing, I grab my keys and run out the door like the hounds of hell snap at my heels behind me. I have to go get her.
She’s mine.
The cold autumn air slapping me in the face does nothing to hinder my excitement. If anything, it spurs me on toward the warmth of her body. The comfort and softness only she can give.
I follow the slightly chipped sidewalks of the town I call home, taking the time to appreciate all I have here.
I meant it when I said I’d leave Lunamois for her, but it would be a loss.
This town means more to me than I tend to admit.
This is the town where I grew up. My parents took me to my first day of school here.
My brother and I learned to ride bikes down these streets.
Georgie, Dane, and I became best friends here.
No one is actually on their way to the event yet, but I can hear people getting ready, having a snack, and calling babysitters. It filters through the windows and doors onto the street, spilling their happiness onto the pavement.
As if that joy belongs to all of us.
And maybe it does. Perhaps that’s the whole point of living in a small town in the middle of nowhere—community. Shared experiences. Connection.
I shake my head. God, when did I get so fucking sappy? Introspective, even. That’s much more like Dane.
The answer is Izzy. Everything is Izzy. My whole world revolves around her. The way I think, act, and move has changed because of her.
I’m better because of her.
And I’m going to tell her tonight. I’m going to tell her she’s my mate before she can say anything, and I’m going to tell her that I want her with me for the rest of my life.
Determination spurs me forward. I’m a man on a mission, and I won’t be deterred.