Page 52 of The One I Need
“Why are you single?”
“Wow,” I say, a little shocked she went there. “Going right for the big one.”
“Yes, but it’s been something I’ve wondered more and more since we’ve started hanging out. I know I didn’t want to date you, but that was a direct reflection on me. But are these other women crazy?”
I can’t help but laugh. “If you ask my friends, they’d probably say yes.”
Izzy sits up, taking her foot back with her so she’s now sitting. “I’m serious. I mean, you’re the nicest guy I’ve ever met.”
“One broke up with me because I was too nice.”
“Okay, so at least one was crazy. But I’m not done. You’re nice. You have a good job. You seem to love your family, which I might not be able to fathom, but I do get that not everyone had my fucked-up childhood. And then there’s the fact that if I would have let you keep rubbing my feet, I’m pretty sure I would have had an orgasm. And I also know that you can fuck like a champ. So what’s wrong with them?”
When hearing it like that, I truly don’t know what to say. While on one hand, I’m glad Izzy thinks all of these things about me. Especially that last part. Then again, I can’t help but feel a touch of depression, knowing that I do bring things to the table, yet for some reason, I’m still not enough.
“I wish I knew,” I say. Luckily for me, I don’t have to think of anything else as there’s a banging on the door.
“Room service. You go clean up, put on your pajamas, and get comfy. I’ll get dinner set up.”
I give Izzy a hand to help her off the bed as I head to the door. I bring the food back and put it all out on the coffee table that’s in front of the couch, also known as my bed for the night.
“I don’t know what you ordered, but it smells amazing.”
I look over to the bathroom where Izzy was changing, and I’m pretty sure that if I were holding something I would have dropped it.
I’ve seen Izzy in a lot of forms over the past few months. But my favorite was that morning after the wedding. Her hair was mussed, her body was relaxed, and there was a glow about her that I’ll never forget.
This right here? I don’t know if it takes over the number one spot, but it’s definitely trying to. Her red hair is piled up on the top of her head. Her face is freshly cleansed, exposing her freckles that get covered when she’s wearing makeup. She’s changed out her business clothes for an oversized T-shirt, and if she’s wearing anything underneath, I can’t tell. Which might be hotter than lingerie. Actually, it is. Yes, lace and silk are great. But an oversized T-shirt, especially if it's one of yours, is without a doubt the hottest thing a woman can wear.
Stop it, Oliver. Don’t let your mind go down that path.
“Dinner’s ready,” I say, quickly, turning back to the food. If she realizes I’m now thrown, she doesn’t say anything. Instead she just shimmies up next to me and starts making herself a plate before sitting down on the couch.
“So, are we going to talk about it?”
I look over to her in confusion. “Talk about what?”
She looks over to the bed and back to me. “The sleeping arrangement.”
“Oh,” I say, grabbing a slice of pizza and a helping of salad. “I can sleep on the couch.”
She shakes her head. “You absolutely will not.”
“I won’t?”
“No. For one, this thing is not suitable for sleeping in terms of comfort. Number two, half of your legs will hang off. Three, I don’t feel bad often, but I’m pretty sure you sleeping over here while I have a gigantic king bed for myself will make me feel slightly guilty.”
“Okay,” I say. “And you’re positive you’re okay with us sharing a bed?”
Izzy nods in between bites. “I am. Why do you keep asking me?”
“Maybe because a few hours ago I didn’t know if you were going to show up on a viral video about customers gone crazy.”
She hangs her head. “I know. I acted like a lunatic. I think I was just taken by surprise. And I was tired from the travel. And you made me take a picture.”
“Oh no. Don’t you go blaming this on me. A photo did not almost make you a Karen.”
She slaps me on the shoulder. “How dare you!”
