Page 24 of Love Like This

“I wish,” Isabel said, out of breath. “If you have anything blackto go with my other black then we might be in business. But I’ll need the heavydiscount, Cooper. I can’t be paying Beverly Hills prices.” She dropped with herhands on her knees, hunched over, still huffing and puffing. “Just need aminute to catch up. Do you realize that the only reasonable parking in thisarea is that garage that feels a year away?”

“It’s not like I would have locked you out, crazy pants. There wasno need to race here. Send me a text.”

“Crazy pants?” Isabel straightened. “Is that a legit crack at mypants? Because they came off the rack. I get it, and I’m feeling judged.”

“No,” Hadley said, leading them back inside the store. “Have Iever made fun of your clothes? No, and that’s because you have your own styleand it’s very you, who I happen to adore. You’ll find no criticism here.” Sheglanced back at Isabel, who seemed to be a nervous ball of energy that had yetto settle. Hadley squinted. “Something is going on. Why are you here and actingstrange?”

“I’m not acting strange.” Isabel glanced furtively around thestore. “Who’s here with you?”

Hadley followed her gaze, intrigued. “No one. I sent the last twoemployees home an hour ago. I handled the final appointment personally.”

“Okay, good. That’s good,” Isabel said, relaxing a little, movingamong the mannequins. She waved at one of them for good measure. “I just wantedto chat for a moment, just us. You and me. Without the others participating. Orknowing.”

“You mean Gia and Autumn?”

Isabel nodded solemnly. She showcased a vulnerability today thatHadley had rarely seen. Isabel had a delicate side, that part Hadley knew, butit was rare she let her guard down enough for anyone to glimpse it. “I justthink you might be better for this is all. This conversation. People always goto you for advice when it comes to love, so I thought I’d give that a go.”

“Okay.” Hadley’s heart swelled and squeezed. She was concernedabout whatever it was that was on Isabel’s mind but honored that Izzy hadchosen to confide inherabout it. “Do you want to sit down?” She gestured to the small staircase thatled to the couches outside the fitting room.

“No, no. That seems too formal. Too official. We can just talklike fucking…I don’t know…people.”

Hadley kept her smile warm and gentle. “We can definitely do that.Let’s start with what it is that has you seeking advice.”

Isabel pointed at her as if impressed. “Yes, that would be theperfect place to start. Look at you. Already a pro. Okay, give me just a sec.”She rolled her shoulders a few times and jogged in place. Her eyes now carriedfear, which signaled to Hadley that they might very well be approaching ananxiety attack, and in Isabel those tended to be crippling. She needed to getin front of the symptoms if at all possible.

“You don’t have to, but do you mind if I sit?” Hadley asked,stepping out of her heels and placing them on the counter. She knew if shecould take the focus off Isabel and shift it to herself, they might sidestepany impending panic. “I’ve been on my feet for hours and just need tocollapse.”

“Oh!” Isabel said, her eyes wide. “I’m a total thoughtlessasshole. Of course you should sit. Let’s just hit up those couches up there.”

“I’m also starving. What about some cheese and crackers from theback? I’m dying.”

“Are we allowed to do that?” Isabel asked, following Hadley up theshort staircase in the middle of the store.

“We are. Perk of the job. Free wine and cheese.”

They sat on the floor in front of the couches, because Hadley wasdoing everything in her power to keep the conversation light and casual. As shespread a knife of brie across a cracker, feigning the utmost interest in theactivity, Isabel went for it.

“I love Taylor more than any person or object in existence.”

Hadley smiled, mid-cracker spread. “Aww, you’re making me all warmand tingly. Of course you love her that much. You two are great together.”

“We are. Right? I mean,Ithink so. She seems to agree, and the longer we’re together, themore in love with her I am, Had.” She paused and looked up at the ceiling.“She’s so smart, and fucking creative, and don’t even get me started on patientand loving and drop dead gorgeous.”

“She’s all of those things.” Still attempting to keep thingsbreezy for Isabel’s benefit, Hadley bit into her cracker, making a big show ofhow wonderful and fortifying that particular bite was. Amazing! The crackerwith delicious cheese was the real star of the show. Isabel was justsupporting. It seemed to be working.

“I want to marry her,” Isabel said simply. “And it’s time, but Ican’t seem to do anything about it. I’m paralyzed, and not sure how to move outof that mode.”

Hadley froze mid-chew. “Izzie,” she said quietly.

“I know. It’s good news, right?”

She nodded, trying her hardest not to mist up. “The very best.”

A hint of a smile appeared on Isabel’s face at the encouragementand slowly grew. “But I need help. I don’t know how to propose. What to say.Where to do it. And when I think about it, I get all freaked out and clam upentirely. You’ll find me sitting in a closet, wondering how the hell I gotthere.”

“That’s okay,” Hadley said simply. “Don’t beat yourself up aboutnerves.” She handed Isabel a cracker with cheese, which she seemed excited todive into. Talking in the midst of an activity was going well. Isabel hadn’tshown further signs of anxiety at all.

“So, here’s the thing,” Isabel said, around bites. “I’m a greatwriter, and so my instinct is to do something amazing and grandiose, like youwould see on a television show. But I’m not sure that’s me. Or Taylor either,for that matter. She throws lavish parties for all of Hollywood, but when itcomes to her personal life, she prefers things low-key. Everyday stuff is herjam.”

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