Page 217 of Love Me Stalk Me

---

She crosses her arms, huffing dramatically, but I see the small smile playing on her lips.

"You're infuriating."

"I've beencalled worse."

She snorts, and we fall into a comfortable silence as I pull into her apartment complex.

I shift the car into park and glance at her, watching as she twists her fingers in her lap, like she's hesitating.

She turns to me, her eyes soft. "You're gonna stay, right?"

I tilt my head. "Is that what you want?"

She doesn't answer.

Not with words.

Instead, she leans in and presses her lips to mine.

Bold. Decisive. Confident.

I love it.

I slide a hand into her hair, pulling her closer, savoring her taste, feeling her desire as she presses against me, giving herself over completely.

When she finally pulls away, her breath is uneven, her fingers still curled into my shirt.

"I could never," I murmur, brushing my lips against hers again, "andwillneversay no to you."

Izzy's apartment feels different now.

Familiar in a way that I like too much. Comfortable in a way that makes me feel like I belong here. We step inside, and she presses a soft kiss to my cheek before whispering, "Be right back."

She disappears into the bedroom. I watch her go before heading to the kitchen. I grab a bottle of wine, pour two glasses, and settle onto her sofa, rolling the stem of the glass between my fingers as I pull out my phone.

First order of business—a text to my dad.

Happy Easter. How about a call soon?

I stare at it, thumb hovering over the send button.

I press send.

Baby steps.

I exhale, setting the phone down, stretching my legs out in front of me.

The device buzzes almost immediately. I glance down expecting one of my guys from the store, because I don't really get many texts these days.

It's not.

It's Izzy.

Messaging Caleb.

I sit up slightly, my grip tightening around the glass. Yesterday, Caleb gave her an instruction. A task. He told her to take a picture of herself when she was feeling confident. I didn't push. Didn't remind her. I figured she'd take her time.

But now—here she is.

---