57. Nick
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
NICK
Ihaven’t slept all night.
I haven’t eaten since I last saw her.
I have done nothing but move around my house, looking at all the things she bought, and force myself not to run to Izzy and beg her forgiveness.
She didn’t yell at me. She didn’t scream. I’d almost prefer if she did. I want her to yell at me, scream at me, and hit me. She could do anything she wanted, because she’d be here.
The silence is deafening. It allows for my own thoughts to fill in the blanks.
But I can’t go to her place. She asked for space, and the absolute least I can do is respect that request.
Even if I’m practically tearing out my own hair in the process.
I have no idea how much time has passed as hurt swirls in my head. I pick up the blanket she bought, bringing it to my nose just to get a whiff of her scent.
Fuck. I can’t do this to myself again.
It’s that thought that finally stops me cold. I did the same thing when my parents died. I holed up in my house, and I forgot how to live.
I need something to focus on so I don’t lock myself in this house once more and succumb to that darkness inside that tells me I’ll be alone forever. I can’t go back to the horrible, lonely place I lived in for so long.
I won’t.
I need to shower. Eat something. Get out of the house, even just for a walk. Go through the steps I taught myself before until I can breathe again.
And that’s what I do—follow a routine. Let the cold water wake me up and let a bit of bread fill my belly, so that by the time I’m ready to throw on a jacket and take a walk, I feel a little bit more like me.
I feel a little bit more like the man who can win Izzy’s trust back.
And that starts with letting her know that I’m in this. I’m going to make a goddamn grand gesture and get my woman back.
I’m going to show her just how serious I am about our future. About having her in my life.
I’m going to take the spare bedroom upstairs and turn it into an office for her. I’m going to show her that this is our house. Our space. The life that I want to start.
Plus dinner, dessert, and one special gift picked out just for her from the market. Something local. Something that feels like Izzy. I’ll prove that I know her.
With a renewed sense of purpose, I step out my front door and into the autumn air. Each step forward lifts my mood. I’m going to make this happen.
First stop is Georgie. If she’s going to help me with dessert, she’s going to need time. Luckily, it’ll take me a day or two to finish the office, so she has a lot more time to work with than she did on the last date.
There’s a line out the door at Tea Leaves, but this is an emergency, and I like to think Georgie would do just about anything for Izzy.
And maybe for me, too. Even if she is mad at me.
“You don’t look as horrific as I thought you would,” Georgie greets me with a grimace, but her eyes comb over me with worry.
“No, but I do need a favor,” I reply, diving under the counter and popping up at her side.
She cuts me a glare that chills my blood. “Why would I do that?”
“Because it’s for Izzy.”
The heavy sigh in response makes me smile for the first time since everything happened. “And what is it you need?”
“A box of Izzy’s favorite desserts ready by tomorrow.”
The glare softens, but she still raises a brow. “You realize I should tell you to fuck off and fix this yourself, right?”
I nod.
Another heavy sigh escapes her, but she turns and waves me toward the kitchen with her too-long nails. “You’re lucky I like her more than I’m annoyed by you.”
I smile to myself.
Georgie pulls out a small spiral notebook and a pen, scribbling with a ferocity that has me worried she’s going to burn a hole in the paper.
She very well may wish I were the paper.
“I’ll be ready tomorrow at two o’clock. Not a minute before, and you’ll have to deal with it,” she finally says, seemingly pleased with whatever she’s written. “But she’ll love it.”
I sweep her into a hug, letting my affection for her fill my chest almost to bursting. Georgie and Dane are the closest thing to family I have left, and I love them. I need to be damn better about telling them. “Love you, Georgie.”
She wraps her arms around me for a moment, squeezing me tight, before pushing me away with a scoff. “Okay, okay, get off.”
I release her, but not before messing up her hair just a little bit.
“UGH, GET OUT!” she screeches, batting at me until I chuckle and run out the front.
But not before diving underneath the counter just to hear her growl.
I make my way down Main Street, skipping Dane’s place for now. Instead, I head straight for Clover’s Market.
Finding the perfect gift will take time—a bouquet will not.
The hustle and bustle of the market hits my ears before I even step inside through the wide barn doors. The town is alive after last night’s party. Every single person has a huge smile on their face. Arms are laden with bags, hugs are freely given, and the energy is almost tangible.
I see faces out and about that I haven’t seen in a long time. Even Mayor Vale is in the corner delicately sniffing a zucchini.
Izzy revitalized this town, and I’m not sure she even understands the full impact it had.
I follow the crowds as I wind through the stalls on this Saturday afternoon. When the hell was I last in here? When was the last time I kicked back and enjoyed the town I work so hard for?
Too damn long, that’s for sure.
I soak in the smells and sights. The burning incense, flowing conversations, and the way the floorboards creak underneath my shoes.
I pick up a scented candle, then put it back down again. While Izzy would love that scent, it’s not right.
It’s not the perfect gift.
“Flowers!”
“Handmade sweaters!”
“Custom artwork!”
I shake my head at each vendor. They aren’t what I’m looking for. Not today.
I weave my way through the booths, a worry gnawing at my gut that I won’t find it. Whatever it is.
There.
I set my eyes on the perfect gift for Izzy, the exact item that I know she’ll love. I can feel it in my bones.
I found it.
I make my way over and smile to myself at the way all of this is coming together.
At the way I’m going to win my woman back.