Page 35 of Isolated
“I can’t seem to do anything right these days. It’s like I’m no longer in control of what’s happening with me. I wouldneveropenly admit what I just did to you.”
“I’m glad that you did.”
She blinked, lifting her eyes to meet mine. “What?”
For several long moments, I allowed my gaze to travel over her. I took in every beautiful feature as I attempted to calm my racing heart. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted to ask you out on a date?”
Her lips parted. “You… What?”
I smiled at her. “I hate going to the gym on Wednesdays, because you’re not there. It’s just not the same without you. And for months now, I’ve wanted nothing more than to ask you if you’d like to spend some time together outside of the gym.”
Iris swallowed roughly, her green eyes searching for answers in my expression. “Why haven’t you?”
“I was worried about ruining your time there. I didn’twant you to think you couldn’t come to the gym and get a workout in without having some guy hit on you.”
“But you’re not just some guy.” She nibbled on her plump bottom lip.
If only I had known she felt this way…
“Would you like that? Could I take you out some time, so maybe we could get to know each other a little bit better?”
The sparkle was back, the corners of her mouth curving slowly into a smile. “I would love that, Landen.”
“Are you free this weekend?”
“My sisters are coming to visit with me.” She reached for her drink and curled her fingers around the glass. “They were supposed to come the other weekend, but they needed to cancel. They’re coming out on Friday evening and are staying until Sunday morning.”
Damn.
“That should be fun.”
“Yeah, I guess. Oddly enough, when I went home to celebrate my birthday, the lack of fun in my life became a topic of conversation, and that led to my family suggesting my sisters come out to visit me here in Steel Ridge in hopes that they might, despite their own lack of expertise in the field, help me find a guy who’s interested in me.
I arched a brow. “As much as it blows my mind that you aren’t already spoken for, I can assure you that there’s at least one guy who’s interested in you.”
Iris dropped her chin toward her chest, her gaze shifting to the plate in front of her as she smiled shyly. “I had no idea.”
“Now you do.”
“So…”
“We’ll plan something for next weekend,” I assured her. “Unless, of course, your sisters’ efforts to find you a guy who’s interested in you are successful.”
Laughter spilled out of her again. The more I heard it, the more I craved it. “I’ve been here for two years, Landen. There’s not a chance that’s going to happen.”
Iris didn’t know it yet, but now that I had this opportunity with her, I wasn’t going to leave anything up to chance. She’d see soon enough just how serious I was about her.
I drove my fork into the last bite of chicken. “Alright, so, what’s your plan?”
“My plan?”
“With work.”
She shrugged. “There’s not much I can do. I’ll take these next couple of days to work on some projects from home. When I go back on Monday, I’m going to keep doing my job properly, like I always do. I have to believe this email situation was just a freak thing, and as frustrated as I am about it, I’ve got to keep pushing forward and doing the right thing.”
Slowly but surely, it felt like I was getting back the woman I’d been missing the past couple of days. Her mindset, her attitude, was what I’d grown to like so much about her. Even when things weren’t going the way she hoped, she still found a way to be so upbeat and positive. She really did light up the room for me.
“I think that sounds like a great idea. And I hope this was merely a rough patch. You’re such a hard worker, so I’m sure you’re going to be right back on track in no time.”
