Page 50 of The Wrong One

Part of me wondered and hoped Ramsey might actually be happy for me and Izzy. I could treat her right. I had always loved Izzy in one way or another. That love shifted. I would still give my life for her, but now it was for more than just our strong friendship bond.

I supposed I could go back into Ramsey’s office and confess my feelings. I could promise him I would never hurt Izzy. I couldn’t promise we were going to live happily ever after because who could? Life happened. But I could promise to love her and treat her right. I would never cheat on her. I would always put her first. She would never have to wonder where I was or what I was doing. I could be the guy she deserved.

When I thought about a future with Izzy and me together, it was bright and sunny. It was a chance for all of us to be happy. Ramsey could relax knowing his sister was in good hands. He could focus on his own love life.

But before I marched myself in there and told Ramsey anything, I had to talk to Izzy. I needed to see where she wanted this thing to go. It wasn’t fair for me to take the decision out of her hands. She got to have a say in this. If she wanted me, I would tell her it was time for us to talk to Ramsey. If he disapproved, then we would have to live with it.

ChapterTwenty-One

Izzy

It was another day at home. I knew I was being a little silly, but there was nothing to do for it. I didn’t want to go to work. I couldn’t face Cam. Not yet. I was hoping not seeing him for a few days would give me a chance to clear my head and put everything behind us. He was probably very happy he didn’t have to see me. He could do his work and stay focused.

I settled comfortably into my favorite reading nook, a cozy armchair in the corner of my living room, with a cup of steaming hot tea in hand. Marmalade was on the fire escape as usual. We had a weird relationship. He did his thing, and I did mine. We were alone together. I opened my laptop and pulled up the article I had bookmarked earlier on nanotechnology and its incredible potential in the field of cancer treatment. I was fascinated by the idea of combining technology and medicine. This topic had always intrigued me.

I was immediately captivated by the author’s writing. It wasn’t exactly the most scintillating subject, but he did a good job making it interesting. He introduced me to the world of nanotechnology. The author described the remarkable advances in science and engineering that were revolutionizing the fight against cancer. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement as I delved deeper into the article. I loved that I was in on that technology. I was a part of it. Maybe I could be published one day.

As I read, I found myself immersed in a realm where the tiniest particles held immense power. I was tempted to ask Cam if he wanted to take on this idea for his next project. The technology was being used to target cancer cells with unprecedented precision. The article outlined how they were working on medicine that would deliver a lethal blow to the disease that had plagued so many people.

I was deep into the article when my doorbell rang. Marmalade’s head darted up before he took off. “Cheater,” I called out. “I don’t think your owner is going to come to the door.”

I shook my head and put my laptop down. “Men,” I muttered and pulled open the door to find the man I was doing my very best to avoid. “Cam?”

“Can we talk,” he asked.

“Shouldn’t you be at work?”

“Izzy, come on,” he said. “This has gone on long enough. We need to talk this through.”

He was right. I couldn’t hide from it. Nothing was going to get solved at that rate. “Fine, come in,” I said. “I was drinking some tea. I’m guessing you would prefer coffee.”

“Please,” he said.

I started the coffee and turned to look at him. There was a squeeze in my heart. I missed seeing him every day. Even if we weren’t technically lovers, we were friends. I missed seeing his face light up when he got a good result or discovered something new.

“I’m sorry.” He blurted out the words just as I was about to tell him the same thing.

“Go ahead,” he said.

“What did I do that was so wrong that you felt you had to pull back so far?” I asked.

“I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you,” he said.

“I guess I know I’m not crazy now,” I muttered.

“What do you mean?”

“I have been trying to convince myself this is just me being overly sensitive, but you just admitted it,” I said.

I poured him a cup of coffee and thrust it at him.

“You’re not being sensitive,” he said. “I was.”

“Why?” she asked.

“It just felt easier,” he said. “Why would you even think about quitting?”

I narrowed my gaze. “Why would you just shut down like a coward?” I shot back.

---