Page 100 of My Infatuation with Isabella

“It’s disgusting how in love they are,” Dana mutters with a groan as she watches them sit down together.

“I could puke,” I agree. “So, what kind of voodoo did Isabella do on you to get you into a dress?”

“Ugh, she went straight for my weakness. She pulled outMean Girlsand said I could be Cady and she’d be Regina, so I said I wanted to be Regina, and she told me that if I wanted to be Regina, I’d have to own it...then I ended up in this dress.”

I chuckle. “Was there music involved?”

“Yeah, check this out.”

She digs in her bag and whips out her phone to show me a video of her walking out of the clothing store in slow motion toMilkshakeby Kelis. I assume because that song is in the movie. The video has not been slowed down. No, she is genuinely walking inslow motion. Who does that? Dana twirls and pouts then pulls off a pair of sunglasses. I hear Isabella on the other side of the camera telling her to toss her hair dramatically like she’s in a shampoo ad. Dana does that and afterward, she even turns to the side to do an incredibly awkward booty shake. She keeps a straight face the whole time which makes it even funnier, and Bella is giggling hysterically on the other side of the camera. I’m just laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of it all.

“I had so much fun with her today,” she says, hopping up to sit on the counter beside me. “I like her a lot.”

“Me too.”

A customer comes to the counter to pay, and Dana waits for him to leave before she continues. “You know what I like? First and foremost, I like that Tommy doesn’t know a damn thing about me, which means she hasn’t told him anything even though they’re best friends. That...that means a lot to me. And I know she has a lot of questions, but she doesn’t ask them. She asks questions to get to knowme. She makes me feel like I can be myself but at the same time, she subtly pushes me to try different things. And I like that she’s a girly girl but without beingtoogirly. Mom and Fran are not like that at all, and it was a nice change to experience...the other side if you know what I mean.”

I nod even though I don’t really know what she means.

“But mostly, I like how confident she is. She’s so comfortable with her body...and the attention she gets from guys. She doesn’t realize it, but she gets alotof looks. Some of them will make up stupid excuses just to talk to her.”

I grit my teeth. “Don’t I know it.”

“But even though she gets so much attention, guys don’t...you know, they’re respectful of her space...”

I place my hand over hers. “Not all men are pigs, Dana. If you look outside the circle of me, Dad, Scott, and Peter, there are a lot of decent guys out there. Well, Peter isn’t...decent, but you know what I mean.” Internally, my logical side is battling with my overprotectiveness, and I try to take my mother’s advice and give her space to gain her independence. I say this to her because it’s something I need to hear myself. “I’m not saying don’t be vigilant, but it is...safe to be out in public without having a big guy around to be your bodyguard.”

She nods and gives me a small smile. “I saw that today.”

“I’m glad the two of you get along.”

“The problem now is that there’s pressure on you to develop a personality or something to keep her interested. I don’t want to stop hanging out with her just because you guys don’t work out.” She jabs my arm. “Make it happen, bro. When are you seeing her again?”

“Tonight. We had our last therapy session last week, so I don’t have my normal excuse to see her today, and I won’t make it to the weekend without seeing her again.”

“One word. Whipped!” She ruffles my hair then hops off the counter. “I’m going out for a smoke. And I meant what I said. Don’t be a dead locust tonight, okay?”

“Okay,” I agree with a laugh as she walks to the back entrance.

Akeem and I spend the last two hours of my day finalizing plans for the clients we’re catering for this weekend. It was supposed to be my weekend off, but we’ve got two parties and one wedding, so I had to change my plans. Before I leave, I walk to the kitchen to grab the two bags of groceries I packed earlier, then wave a goodbye to my parents and slip out.

* * * * *

ISABELLA WAS CLEARLYnot expecting me because her eyes widen when she answers the door. She must have just got out of the shower because she’s already in a light pink satin night robe and runs her hand through her damp, messy curls. “Uh...hi!”

“Hi.” I lift the packet of groceries. “Date four? I’m working this weekend, so I thought we could do it today.”

Date three was a simple walk and picnic watching the sunset at the beach, but that was in a public setting, so she seems to be a little hesitant for us to be alone this evening. She takes a minute to think about whether she’s ready for another step forward, then steps aside and allows me to enter. “So, you’re cooking dinner?”

“Yep,” I reply, following her to the kitchen.

“And you brought your own ingredients?”

“I didn’t know what you had in your fridge.”

“I live on microwave dinners because I’m not a lover of cooking, so that was a good call on your part.”

I set the bags on the small table in the middle of the kitchen, then turn to face her. “I’m gonna kiss you real quick.”

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