Page 60 of Night and Day
“I already have plenty.” She looked at him with such awe Izzy’s throat threatened to close.
Two days, or rather two nights, was nothing, but he’d do his best. Maybe he could take it as an opportunity to practise social skills. He hadn’t even realised how dreadfully rusty he’d become, especially with the opposite sex.
“Are you hungry?” He asked. “Can I take you out to dinner?”
“Like a... date?” Mia’s eyebrows drew together while a flicker of longing crossed her face. Her inner battle matched his in frightening synchrony.
He chose his words carefully. “Like a... dining experience.”
Chapter 23
Mia rubbed her formerlywhite shoes with a soapy rag, her mind warring over semantics. Did it matter what they called this dinner? If she could keep her hands off him, she’d be fine, but ever since he’d trimmed that facial hair, he’d become irresistible. Like right now as he stood at the kitchen doorway, waiting for her to get ready. She could barely tear her eyes off the perfect angles of his face.
She’d changed into her white dress, the nicest piece of clothing she currently owned, while Izzy had raised his game with a collared, button down shirt, this one freshly ironed. Its rolled-up sleeves seemed to deliberately advertise his bulging forearms. His eyes reflected the afternoon light like they’d stolen the sun and burned with equal brightness. Her fingers itched to run along that dark beard, touch those full lips and feel them all over her body... Oh, no. Her mind was as dirty as her shoes.
Mikko had agreed to a call later tonight, his Monday morning. She knew what she had to tell him and dreaded the conversation. If only she could stay in this bubble, far away from her real life.
During the drive back, her mind had woven a string of lyrics. She could feel a new song forming and wondered how many more would come if she let them. It felt so different to the creativity conjured during brainstorming meetings, where everyone stared at a whiteboard and every idea was mind mapped to serve a higher purpose. This creativity ran through her like a wild current, unpredictable and invigorating.
Mikko had warned her about getting distracted – millions of dollars awaited those who didn’t succumb to self-indulgent time wasting. She’d agreed with him, looking down on artists who lived on government grants and produced whatever tickled their fancy. But travelling around this fascinating land, so far removed from her previous goals, she struggled to remember why it mattered so much. What was the real difference between time wasted and time well spent? They all died in the end, with or without millions of dollars, with or without business success. Or the love of someone who truly understood...
Mia glanced at Izzy. “I can’t believe I have to fly again in two days.” She got up to rinse the rag. Her shoes looked better – once the fabric dried, they might even pass for clean. “I don’t think I’m ready for anything.”
Izzy crossed the floor, standing right behind her, the heat and presence of his body overwhelming her senses. “Then...” He swallowed the rest of the sentence.
Mia dropped the rag and turned to face him. “Then, what?”
A muscle in his neck twitched. “Never mind. You know how I feel, but this isn’t about me. I’m just a random guy you bumped into, who freaked you out by coming on too strong.” He laughed humourlessly. “It’s only because I’m so out of practice, you know?”
Was that what he thought? Mia’s heart squeezed. He’d been so brave, yet she hadn’t been honest with him in return.
“You’re not coming on too strong,” Mia whispered, heat engulfing her face. “Everything you told me... I feel the same. But you’re right. I don’t want to make a mistake. I want to make a choice.”
Mia swallowed, risking a look into his eyes. Would she make the right one?
