Page 22 of Inspiring Izzy

I loved him that much.

I've never loved anyone like that before. I'm not sure I ever will again.

It doesn't really matter now. Because it's not just me anymore. It's Brianna and me. She watches everything I do. She wants to be just like me. I have to set a good example. Even if apart of my heart—the part that's always felt cold and dark for the last decade—warms when Brady walks into the room.

"Anyone sitting here?"

I glance up, my heart throbbing when his handsome face comes into view.

I hesitate before answering. "Um, no."

Brady takes a seat across from me in the first-floor dining area. "Don't worry, Angie will be joining us."

"I wasn't worried," I lie. Iwasworried. Being this close to Brady is dangerous. Who knows what he might say if we're left alone together for too long.

You aren't a charity case. Not to me. You are my biggest regret. The reason I threw myself into work and never got married. And when you married Steve, I was sick to my stomach. That someone else could fuck you anytime they wanted. That someone else got to kiss you and hold you. So, no, you're not a charity case.

"You have any plans this weekend?" Brady asks as he begins peeling an orange.

"Nope," I pop thep, keeping my eyes fixed on the laptop screen in front of me.

"Angie's husband is opening a restaurant," he says. "Saturday night."

I stop typing, my breath hitching in my throat. "Are you asking me to go with you?"

"No," Brady laughs nervously as our eyes lock. "Not at all. She's going to invite you. I know how much you hate being put on the spot. Thought I'd warn you."

"How considerate of you," I narrow my eyes as heat builds between us.

Brady drops the orange rind onto the table with a smirk. "That's me, Mr. Considerate."

My eyebrows raise in disbelief, but I don't respond.

Angie joins us a few minutes later with a latte and a slice of chocolate cake, interrupting the excruciating silence.

"It's my cheat day," she winks at me in a wine-colored sweater.

"No judgment here," I give her a small smile.

"Do you have any plans tomorrow evening?" Angie gets straight to the point.

I have a split second to decide. Do I tell her I'm busy and alienate the one friend I have at work, or do I tell the truth?

Friends are really in short supply in my world. I better not chance losing the first one I've made in years.

"I do not," I settle on.

Angie clasps her hands together. "My husband is a chef, and he's opening a cute little spot on Main Street. He named it after me. Angie's Restaurant and Bar."

"Sounds like the Glorious Pig is going to have some competition," I smirk as Brady sinks his teeth into an orange slice.

"Oh no," Angie grins, "that place should be condemned. Angie's will be an upscale establishment with fine dining."

"I don't know," I hitch a shoulder as Angie takes a sip of her latte. "The Glorious Pig has its own magic. Dirty, disgusting magic, but still magic."

"You sound just like Brady," Angie rolls her dark eyes. "You want to know why he bought that place?"

"She doesn't need—" Brady holds up a hand but Angie cuts him off.

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