Page 117 of One Day Like This (Excess All Areas 1)

“If you guys are going ahead, I feel like this should be a celebration. We should get some food and drink.” Izabel pulled her phone out of her pocket.

“Yes,” said Alex, clapping his hands. “Who wants to come to the shops with me to grab some beer?”

Luke grabbed his keys off the counter. “I’ll drive you. You okay, Iz?”

“I’m fine.” And she was. More than fine. Because she was on day one of starting a new career. While Jase was still missing, it warmed her heart to see Matt and Luke tentatively putting their friendship back together. Adding in the fact the band was on the brink of something huge and her brother didn’t hate her, the world seemed fantastic.

And she and Matt, well, they had each other.

She stepped onto her toes and kissed Matt. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he said, the words mumbled against her lips.

Ben slipped his jacket on. “I’ll head out with you and go pick Chaya up.”

“I’ll order food for everyone,” Izabel said.

“Great idea. I’ve been craving curry all day,” Alex said, and for the first time she noticed he was wearing a heavy black kilt with biker boots.

Ben opened the door. “Maybe order a mix of stuff for like seven o’clock or something. Remember Chaya will want something veggie.”

Luke ruffled her hair. “Order from The Great Kathmandu. Then I can get the lamb bhotowan.”

With the slam of the door, silence blanketed the flat. She couldn’t decide which she liked best. The business of having friends over or the quiet that descended when it was just the two of them.

Matt tugged her into his arms. “Hey, babe. How was your day?”

She smiled up at him. “Less hectic than yours, I think. But Ibrahim was okay with me reducing my hours. Now, I’ve just got to start my business.”

“That’s great news. I got you something. It came today.” He grabbed a package from the kitchen counter and handed it to her.

“What is it?” she asked, her heart racing in anticipation.

“If I told you, it would ruin the surprise. But don’t get too excited, it’s not that big.”

She carefully ripped it open and removed the floppy item. It was a cream tote bag that had a Louisa May Alcott quote on it. “Nothing is impossible to a determined woman.”

Matt shrugged. “I know you like to have a separate bag for all your different things. I figured you’d need one for your consulting gig.”

He’d noticed, and remembered, and then thoughtfully ordered it for her. “Thank you,” she said, throwing her arms around him. “It’s perfect.”

Matt slid his hands beneath the hem of her sweater. “You’re welcome. And we should have kicked everyone out so I can carry on and peel this jumper off instead of ordering Indian food.”

Izabel laughed. “This is a day for you to celebrate with the band. You can strip me out of this later.”

He landed a chaste kiss on her lips before letting go. “I’ll hold you to that.”

They smiled at one another for a long minute. “It’s going to be okay, isn’t it?” she asked.

Matt cupped her cheeks and kissed her softly. “Yeah, Iz. It is.”

* * *

Matt shook the rain from his hair as he let himself into his nan’s. The carnations he’d picked up at the florist had taken a bit of a battering on the jog over, but they’d perk her up. “Nan,” he called out.

“Be down in a sec,” she called from upstairs. “Put the kettle on and make us brew.”

When she emerged ten minutes later, her cheeks were flushed. “You alright, Nan?” he asked, handing her a brew and the flowers.

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