Page 25 of Love Like This

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with discreet and personal.Just be you. She choseyouout of everyone for a reason, you know.” Hadley considered someoptions, all the while tamping down the choir of angels singing in her head atthis fantastic news. Isabel and Taylor were likely going to be married! “Whatabout over a quiet dinner? Maybe take her somewhere secluded and romantic. Off thebeaten path. Oh! What about that place that Elle raves about. The little innwith the restaurant that Gia took her to.”

“Yeah, maybe so. What if I can’t figure out what to say and uttersomething stupid like, ‘Let’s fucking get hitched.’ That’s so like me that it’sterrifying. I don’t want to disappoint her.”

Hadley reached across the small coffee table between them andcovered Isabel’s hand. “I’m happy to report that I don’t see that as a remotepossibility. She loves everything about you, Iz. You should see the way shestares at you when you’re not looking. It takes up all the air in the room.”

Isabel’s cheeks were dusty with an adorable rose color. “Really?”

“I’ve seen it more times than I can count. And I know you feel thesame way. So here’s my advice. Speak to her from your heart. No scriptrequired.”

Isabel ruminated on the idea, finally, blossoming into a grin. “Ithink I can do that.”

“And put way less pressure on yourself. It’s just another way oftelling her that you love her, isn’t it? That’s all you’re doing, and you’re apro at that.”

“I am. Hadn’t thought of it that way.”

“Well, now you have.” Hadley wrapped her arms around herself in acozy hug. “You two and what you have is everything. Do you realize that? I’m soenvious that I could devour this entire tray of brie just to console myself.”And then because the lines of communication were so wide open, she decided togo for it. “Can I confess something to you now?”

“Hell yeah,” Isabel said, sitting taller, brimming withanticipation. “That never happens. What do ya got?”

“The woman I’m supposed to meet with in a half hour? Thedesigner?”

“Yeah, Spencer someone.”

Hadley nodded. “I think I have a crush on her.”

With her hands, Isabel impersonated a bomb dropping. “I’ve beenwaiting for this moment. For our sweet Hadley Bear to catch the love bug andfall under its spell.”

Hadley shrugged in an effort to minimize the news. “I’m not sureit has any staying power. Just a temporary distraction I can’t seem to shake.”A pause. Hadley lowered her voice, as if there were others who might overhear,which was ridiculous. “Iz, my toes wiggle when she’s around.”

“Really? The toes specifically?”

Hadley nodded solemnly.

“Huh, that’s a new one.”

“What do you think that means?”

“I think it means she’s under your skin. Can I borrow that? Mymain character is about to meet someone special. Could work to incorporate thetoe wiggling and her confession of it to a friend.”

“All yours,” Hadley said, picking up the platter of cheese andcrackers.

“You going to ask her out?”

Hadley’s face felt hot. “No. No, that would be outlandish. She’screative and successful and driven and determined.”

“Those arebadthings?”

Hadley’s eyes went wide. “I didn’t mean it that way. No, of coursethey’re not bad. They’re wonderful! To be admired, even. It’s just, what wouldshe want with someone like me? I’m just regular.”

Isabel covered her eyes with her hand. “When are you going to stopundervaluing who you are? I’m going to have to murder you with a sledgehammer.We’ve been over this time and time again. Everywhere I take you, people checkyou out. Men and women, by the way. I’ve seen both. You’re a fucking knockout,a head turner, and everyone knows it but you.”

Hadley opened her mouth to speak, but Isabel silenced her, holdingup a hand.

“Not to mention you have the kindest heart of anybody I’ve everencountered. You’re also funny, carefree, and have a killer eye for color anddesign. Do you know how jealous I am of your apartment? Don’t answer that. Veryjealous. You just refuse to see yourself the way we all do, you lunatic.” Shelowered her hand. “Talk now.”

“That was nice,” Hadley said, elevated by the words Isabel hadjust spoken, trying to hold on to them as a confidence booster. “Even thelunatic part.”

“And true. Don’t forget goddamned true.”

---