Page 19 of Kiss Me if You Can
I don’t know why my brain went straight to the World’s Largest Ball of Twine when we’re nowhere near Kansas, but apparently peak romance is weirdness on the road.
I’m blaming the library. I was totally joking when I brought up the Captain America stuff, and then that snooty librarian came over and started looking at Jake too hard. Either I knew she was going to recognize him or I was just feeling jealous of anyone looking at him, but I panicked and went straight for lovey-dovey. I didn’t expect to enjoy holding him as much as I did! It took everything in me not to plant a legit kiss on his mouth.
And oh, how I wanted to kiss him. I can only imagine what that would be like when he seems to be so in control of everything. Would he kiss with precision and intention, or would he go the complete opposite of his personality and kiss with abandon? Either way, I know it would be amazing.
“This is it, right?” Jake says, pulling me out of my fantasy.
I blink, staring at the restaurant where I agreed to meet Emily.Focus, Isla. La Bella was highly rated online, and it looked fancy enough in the pictures that I could feel semi-professional while doing my best not to completely fangirl over one of my idols. Hopefully Emily agrees with me.
“Yeah, this is it,” I breathe.
Jake takes hold of my hand, giving it a squeeze. “You’re going to do great, Isla. And I’ll be right beside you the whole time, however you need me.”
“Is it weird that I’m glad you’re here?” I turn to him and bite my lip, forcing myself to ignorehislips. I need to be Business Isla now, not Kiss a Stranger Isla. But Jake doesn’t feel like a stranger anymore. Honestly, he never did.
I clear my throat. “I mean, I was so ready to conquer this meeting and girl boss so hard, but now that I’m here, I don’t think I would be able to get out of the car because I’m so nervous.”
“It’s hard to imagine you being afraid of anything,” he says with an adorable smirk. Dang it, now I’m looking at his mouth. “After all, you weren’t afraid of me.”
I shove him, laughing along with him. “That’s because you’re not scary.”
I take a deep breath and force myself to be brave. It’s not like I haven’t done collaborations before, but this is the first time I’ve ever met with someone in person. Especially someone as famous as Emily Matisse. When it comes to social media, she’s everything I want to be. Then there’s Biff, who is going to be his own version of Goliath. Hopefully in the sense of his size and influence, not in the sense that tiny little David (me) has to defeat him. I like to think I’m fierce, but I’m not exactly a slayer of giants.
One more deep breath, and then I repeat some affirmations to myself.
I am a strong, confident woman who doesn’t back down from a challenge. I am valid in the sphere of my career. I am more than my limitations. I can do anything I set my mind to as long as I don’t give up.
Jake squeezes my hand again, giving me a wide smile. “Whatever you just did, you’re standing taller. So to speak.”
I snort a laugh. “Hard to stand when you’re sitting in a car, but I get your meaning. Ready?”
He nods. “If you are.”
“I’m terrified. But that’s not going to change. Let’s go.”
I wish I could hold Jake’s hand as we walk up to the front door, just to keep up the contact which is surprisingly comforting, but I content myself with his hand on my back instead. Now that we’re here, he seems to be breathing easier, like he’s already forgotten his own problems and is simply here to help me with mine. I could kiss the guy if I wasn’t about to be late for my meeting.
But maybe I have time?
“Isla!” So much for time. Emily waves at us as soon as we step through the door, her smile wide and genuine. And goodness me, she’s more gorgeous in person than she is in photos, which I didn’t think could be possible. She makes me feel frumpy by comparison, even if I kind of love this dress I found.
The man behind her is easy to recognize as her husband, Rhys, who has made plenty of appearances in her posts. Though he’s on the phone, he still smiles my way and proves that men are capable of being courteous even when they have nothing to gain.
“Emily,” I breathe, relaxing under her warm gaze. “I can’t thank you enough for being willing to meet me.”
“Are you kidding?” She pulls me in for a hug, nearly knocking one of my crutches out from under my hand. Jake reaches out to keep me steady, a silent protector just behind me. “I’ve wanted to meet you for ages!”
A squeak pops out of me. “You have?”
But Emily’s eyes have shifted to Jake, and I can already tell her focus is all on him now. “And you must be the mysterious man she keeps hidden away. What’s your name, handsome?”
I don’t think she’s flirting with him. If she is, her husband is being awfully cool about it. But even though I’m pretty sure she’s just being friendly, a gremlin growls to life inside me, wanting me to bat Emily’s hand away from Jake’s.
Jake shakes her hand but lets go quickly, which I appreciate. “I’m Marty,” he says. “Isla has been talking about this meeting for months.”
My stomach drops at the same time Emily frowns. “We only set this up a couple of weeks ago,” she says, glancing between us as if she knows our marriage is a total sham.
Jake, on the other hand, doesn’t flinch. “Oh, I know, but this piñata of mine sure knows how to manifest. She’s been begging the universe to throw you two together.” Then he wraps his arms around me, pulling me flush against his chest. “Isn’t that right?”
