Page 41 of The Billionaire's Pawfect Match

As I make my way to Emily, the sun dips lower, painting the world in hues of gold and amber. It’s beautiful and bittersweet, this transition from day to night, from what I knew to what I hope to discover.

The drive to Emily’s apartment is a blur of traffic lights and honking horns, the city’s heartbeat syncing with my own. I park, check my reflection briefly in the rearview mirror, and exit thecar. The evening air greets me, a mix of slight chill and the promise of warmth to come.

I’m punctual, as always. But as I stand outside her door, it’s clear that this moment doesn’t adhere to the tick of a clock. It’s about the leap of faith, the hope that what lies beyond will be worth the risk.

“Here goes nothing,” I mumble to myself.

And then I knock.

The door swings open, and there she stands — Jenn, not Emily. She’s just as Emily described: tall, with a watchful gaze that seems to weigh my intentions from across the threshold.

“Isaac?” Her voice is friendly, but I can tell she’s dissecting me.

“Hi, Jenn,” I reply, nodding. “Emily’s mentioned you.”

“Only good things, I hope.” A small smile plays on her lips as she steps aside, ushering me into the apartment.

“Of course.”

The place is cozy, lived-in, with photos of Emily and Jenn laughing together on the walls. It’s the kind of warmth that comes from shared memories, from being there for each other through thick and thin. I can see how this space could foster a bond strong enough to inspire protectiveness.

It makes sense that Emily’s friends would be her family, since she isn’t close to her parents. It makes me want to try extra hard to impress Jenn.

“Emily will be out in a sec,” Jenn says, taking a seat at the small kitchen table. “Can I get you anything while you wait? Water? Coffee?”

“No, thanks.” My hands find their way into my pockets, fingers brushing against the smooth fabric of my slacks. Nervous habit.

“Okay, then.” She watches me, curious but not intrusive. “Just holler if you change your mind.”

“Will do.”

“Isaac?”

Her voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn. There she is. Emily.

Time slows. She’s a vision in soft fabric that whispers over her skin, a delicate dress that seems made of moonlight and dreams. Her hair falls in gentle curls around her shoulders, framing her face with careless grace. It’s a look that speaks of effort, but also of ease — the perfect balance between trying and simply being.

“Wow,” escapes from me before I can stop it, a single word that carries the magnitude of every sensation coursing through me.

“Good wow or bad wow?” Emily asks, a playful lilt to her voice, though I can see the vulnerability hiding in the corner of her smile.

“Definitely good,” I assure her, and it feels like the most honest thing I’ve ever said.

“Ready?” she asks, stepping closer, her scent — a mix of lavender and something slightly spicy — filling the space between us.

“Absolutely.”

We make our way out of the apartment, leaving the safety of familiar surroundings behind. Jenn gives us a wave, and I offer a grateful nod in return; knowing Emily has someone like Jenn in her life eases a lingering tension I hadn’t realized I washolding on to. Life is rough, and it’s good to know that Emily has someone at home to always have her back.

The walk to the car is a blur, my focus solely on Emily beside me. The click of her heels against the pavement, the soft light from the setting sun glinting off her hair — it’s as if the world is putting on a show just for us.

I open the passenger-side door for her, and she slides in with a grace that makes it seem like she’s floating rather than moving. As I close the door gently behind her, I catch a glimpse of her eyes — deep pools reflecting the sky as day fades to night. There’s trust there, expectation, and something that looks a lot like hope.

Tonight, I already know, will be amazing.

Circling around to the driver’s side, I slip into the seat and start the engine. The car hums to life, and I glance over at Emily, our eyes meeting.

“I hope you’re hungry,” I say.

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