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She shrugs one of her bare shoulders, drawing my attention to her bronze skin. Her skin always looks so warm and inviting, along with her big brown eyes. Which are exactly the color of the molten lava cake. Yum… I’ve always had a weakness for chocolate—and Isabella Romero, apparently.

“Always eat dessert first. Life is short.”

“Sometimes I wish I could be as free-spirited as you… or my brother, Brooks.” I lean back in my chair and her eyes are locked on mine, like she’s staring straight into my soul.

“I actually love how steady and responsible you are,” she says, then pauses, rubbing a finger along the edge of her sangria glass. Her nails are painted bright red to match her dress and lips. “I wish I could be more like that. It makes me feel… safe.”

My heartbeat quickens at her statement. The fact that she feels safe with me gives me an unexplainable sense of pride. She takes a drink of her sangria, looking up at me through her long lashes. She sets her drink down and breathes out a small laugh.

“Who would’ve thought the two of us would have nice things to say about each other?”

I laugh, dipping my chin and closing my eyes. “Yeah, I can hardly believe it myself.”

After enjoying our meal then chatting by the fireplace for a while, I drive us back to my place and park in the driveway.

I walk around and open her door for her. “Do you want to come in?” I ask her, not wanting to say goodnight yet.

This morning I was trying so hard to talk myself out of pursuing this woman, thinking that we’re too opposite. That we’d never work long-term. But the more I learn about her, the more I realize how many similarities we have. I feel like she understands me in a way no one else has.

She steps out of the vehicle and looks up at my front door and then back at me. “I want to, but I’m working tomorrow. I’m going in early to help our chef get everything prepared for the weekend.”

Her eyes aren’t filled with fire like they are when she’s talking about traveling or something she’s passionate about. Instead, they look droopy and a little sad. I can’t help but wonder if she’s apprehensive about seeing her parents tomorrow. She begins walking toward her front door and I walk next to her.

“Are your parents going to give you a hard time?” I ask before allowing my hand to brush lightly against hers. Testing the waters to see if she might let me hold her hand… and she makes my entire evening by sliding her hand into mine.

“Probably. But putting it off won’t help. And I need to talk to them about this new opportunity to travel full time.” She takes a deep breath and releases it in a heavy sigh.

My heart twists inside my chest. My brain is happy for her and the opportunities she’s being presented… but my heart wants to keep her here, living a few steps away from me.

“That’s going to be a difficult conversation.” I give her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m here if you need to vent after work.”

We arrive on her front porch and face each other. She rubs her arms like she’s chilled from the evening air. I want so badly to pull her into my arms and wipe the sad look off her face, but I don’t want to move too fast. Especially if she’s leaving soon. I have no idea what a long-distance relationship even looks like.

“Thank you.” She steps toward me and brings her hand up and presses it to my cheek. Her thumb caresses my jaw and I resist the urge to close my eyes and lean into her touch like Mo does when I pet him.

She leans in, clearly wanting me to kiss her, and I can’t possibly resist those plump red lips I’ve stared at all night. I slide both of my hands into her hair and then press my lips to hers.

My hands move from her hair to her neck and then over her bare shoulders. Her skin is so smooth and warm, even silkier than I imagined it was after sitting across from her all evening and stealing glances at her bare skin. I allow my hands to drop slowly from her shoulders then trail down her arms, causing goosebumps to appear along her skin.

I then grab onto her tiny waist, which has been hidden underneath her ruffled dress. Surprisingly, that just made the dress all the sexier. Like a tease.

I’ve never felt so reckless, never kissed with such wild abandon. My normally controlled and smooth exterior is torn to shreds by Isabella Romero.

I might make her feel safe, but she makes me feel out of control… in a good way.

Chapter twenty-two

Isabella

Early the next morning, I walk inside Abuela’s. After a week off it’s nice to be back, it really is. This place is like home to me in some strange way. It’s a big part of my family and working together is familiar and comfortable.

If only my heart didn’t long for the unfamiliar, for the adventures yet to be had.

As expected, my parents are in my father’s office. They’re both seated, Papa in his office chair, and Mama in a folding chair pulled up next to him.

When I walk inside, they’re already looking up at the door frame, like they’ve been awaiting my arrival.

“Hey!” I say with a smile, genuinely happy to see them after being away.