Page 29 of I Choose You

I frowned. “He’s telling me? What if I don’t like Italian?”

“Said no sane woman ever. Their pizzas are even better than their pastas.” She checked her watch. “And you’ve got plenty of time.”

A hit of nerves had me furrowing my brow. Anxiety was no stranger. It’d been a while since I let it get to me. I picked up my phone to check the time, ensuring I wouldn’t have to rush. A shower, change, and then maybe style my hair to be down. A burp threatened. Ugh. Why did I have to eat smelly, spicy tacos today?

Checking my reflection in my screen as I got ready, I hated to admit I was so nervous. I was no badass. He still got to me. But could I handle him as an adult now, and move on from what he did before?

“Brooke.” Rena pushed my phone down. “It’ll be fine.”

“Am I stupid? Is it really stupid to even care or want an explanation or…” I swallowed, hating how he could unravel me.

What are you playing at, Kaden?

“Not stupid. I think it could be a start for, um, closure. Clear the air about the past and then you’re free to work together on this deal like two perfectly normal and accommodating adults.”

I nodded.

But the idea of closure didn’t seem to apply to Kaden.

Not at all.

11

KADEN

I chose Giovanni’s because it was my favorite place to find decent, original food. It was low-key and not too fancy. Families sat at tables the same as couples on dates did. Knowing the owner didn’t hurt because a tournament being held nearby had the eatery packed. Franco would always make sure I had a table.

Kody was more likely to flaunt his wealth and act superior. I didn’t, and picking simple, classic Giovanni’s for a dinner with Brooke showed that difference.

I can’t believe she texted me.

I would’ve had to be blind and fucking dumb to miss her annoyance on Friday. She’d wanted to discuss the contract, but it was the last thing on my mind. When she informed me that she’d be overseeing this deal from here on out, I was elated. Her sassy authority intrigued me, too. We’d be working together, and I doubted a single second of it would be dull.

Seated in her office, I couldn’t focus. I had struggled to concentrate on the contract or any pieces of paper she held up with precise highlighted marks. Sure, I remembered to make my points known—and they were minor details, not deal-breaking hard points—but I’d been swept away by her.

It helped when she’d lightened up to chitchat, but I wasn’t deluded into assuming I’d won her over.

Wait. Was I trying to win her over? We already had a deal between us, but that was strictly business.

I’d asked her out for a drink or dinner because I couldn’t put a lid on this curiosity. I refused to believe she wasn’t the least bit intrigued about me.

I’d been seated for several minutes, and all the while, I readjusted my glass, lined up my utensils, and shifted from crossing my left ankle over my right and back again.

Nervous? I checked myself, acknowledging I was fidgeting. That wasn’t my style. I wouldn’t admit nervousness, but I was impatient. I didn’t mind waiting on others. I made exceptions when the unexpected popped up, like when Todd had to step out to take that call. Life happened.

But the energy coursing through me now was born of excitement. I was looking forward to this date.

No. Not a date. Just dinner, for fuck’s sake. I doubted she’d sweep our past under the rug. Memories of high school still struck me, and that was a big part of the reason why I wanted the chance to hash this out with her. To catch up, truly, and figure out the best way to move forward now that we’d found each other again.

I was excited, though. No doubt about it, I looked forward to the moment she’d walk that sexy ass up to our table. Realizing just how much I was counting down the seconds clued me in to the fact I hadn’t experienced this thrill in a while. I didn’t know the last time I’d been this excited to see a woman.

I wasn’t sure if I’d ever felt this particular excitement.

As the minutes passed and she didn’t show, that feeling evaporated. It looked like she would stand me up. I could hardly blame her for ghosting me. Still, the disappointment hit hard.

I stood, ready to head to the bar and settle my tab, when she showed.

Head high and shoulders back, she strolled in with a confidence that turned me on. No more meek, quiet Brooke here. This woman was bold and sure of herself, not even wincing in regret that she’d kept me waiting.