“I wasn’t sure that’s what you were. I thought maybe we were just friends. We never—“

“Just friends?” He stalked toward the bed. “We’ve been seeing each other non-stop for weeks. What did you think this was?”

She swung her legs off the bed. “I wasn’t sure. We never talked about it. Everything just happened so fast.”

His expression went from angry to hurt. “You’re not sure?”

“I meant about what our relationship was. I couldn’t just assume we’re exclusive.”

That triggered something. She literally saw the color of his eyes darken. “Is that what you were busy doing these last few days?”

“No!”

“According to you ten seconds ago we aren’t exclusive.” His voice went up a notch and his nostrils flared. “Who were you with these last few days?”

“No one. I was home.”

His eyebrows pinched. “You said you were busy.”

She pulled her shirt on over her head. “I was slowing things down.”

“What...Why?”

She stood up. She couldn’t do this sitting in the bed. “I don’t know.”

He walked up to her and stood looking down into her eyes. “Look at me.” There was something desperate in his eyes now. “Do you wanna be with me?”

“Yes.”

“But you were slowing things down?” He searched her eyes. “I’ve been going f**king crazy wondering what you were so busy with? Can you just tell me why?”

“I wasn’t sure if this is what you wanted. I got scared.”

“Well, now you’re scaring me. I know what I want. I want this. To be with you and only you. What do you want?”

“I want this, too.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she said, putting her hands on his face. She’d never been so sure about anything in her life. She felt terrible now that she’d ever questioned it.

He put his hands over hers then kissed her. “You’re sure?”

“Absolutely,” she smiled. “I should’ve just asked, but I was afraid of coming off as one of those girls.”

“You are nothing like any girl I’ve ever met.”

This close, she could feel how hard his heart pounded. “I’m sorry.”

He leaned against her forehead and took a deep breath. “You owe me.”

“I know.”

He pulled away from her, the panic in his eyes now replaced with a trace of that humor she loved to see so much in them. “No, you really owe me. I want Albondigas.”

Isabel laughed. “You got it. I’ll make some tomorrow.”

Romero kissed her deeply before pulling her back into bed.

***

She felt like such a spineless coward. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

Isabel had forgotten all about the date her sister had set up with her husband’s friend.

Thankfully, Romero was booked that evening working. This wasn’t worth the interrogation she’d have to deal with from her sister if she refused. Her brother-in-law’s friend would only be in town for a few days. She could knock this out and get her sister off her back without having to get into it about Romero just yet.

She told Romero she was having dinner with her sister, leaving out who else would be there. He was so caught up in his business for the evening, he didn’t ask much else.

As expected, Michael, the perfect guy her sister set her up with, wasn’t that perfect. For starters, he had no sense of humor. Isabel never considered herself to be a funny girl, but for some reason Romero thought she was f**king hilarious. Michael’s humor paled in comparison to Romero’s. He didn’t think half the things she knew she and Romero would be laughing at were at all funny. Including the guy showing off on the dance floor, who twisted his ankle. Romero so would have laughed with her instead of giving her the appalled look Michael did when she sniggered.

He did seem interested in her, but she noticed the more he drank, the cockier and more flirtatious he became. She did her best to fend off any advances, and he’d made plenty. She was just glad it was over now.

When Michael asked for her number, she gave him the number to the landline in her apartment which was used mainly for Valerie’s faxes. She didn’t want her brother-in-law to be offended that she’d snubbed his friend, even though that’s what she wanted to do.

She texted Romero as soon as she got home.

You still working?

He responded immediately.

If I wasn’t I’d be there with you.

She was so tempted to tell him she loved him, but she knew that was the wine talking. Though she’d thought of him the entire night…

Goodnight baby.

Goodnight Izzy…dream of us.

She smiled, her heart completely taken.

Always

CHAPTER 8

Fucking Fantastic

The next day Isabel met her mom and Pat for lunch. She’d already told them she couldn’t hang out and chat for too long like she normally did. Valerie was having a meltdown because they were going to a bonfire gathering as part of her cousins pre-wedding celebration. Alex had been working Valerie. He’d left her a heartfelt message that had her nearly in tears, then last night he met up with her and just about sealed the deal. He wanted her back bad. Today would be the test. Valerie either got past this or she’d be back on that rollercoaster ride with him. Isabel was meeting her after her lunch and they were driving there together.