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Maybe it’s the pessimist in me, but I can’t picture how this would ever work between us. Not because I don’t want it to, but because our lives are literally going in opposite directions. She’s emotional, and she’s had a difficult day. I don’t want to be the person to make it even worse.
“Listen, what if we take a break? You can get settled in your new job and find a flat. Then we can discuss this again?”
She looks slightly less perturbed, but not much. “A break?” She crosses her arms. “Is this like a Ross and Rachel break?”
I narrow my eyes. “Really? I haven’t dated a woman in years and that’s what you’re worried about?”
“What if the next woman who moves in next door catches your fancy?”
“Catches my fancy?” I close my eyes in frustration and massage my temples with my thumb and forefinger. “If another infuriating woman moves in next door, I’ll stay far away from her, trust me.”
Isa harrumps and keeps her arms crossed. Why does she have to look so adorable when she’s irritated? All I can think about is kissing that ridiculous scowl off her face.
Yes, a break will be good for us. “We need some time to breathe and really think about this. Three weeks. That will give us time apart to make a rational decision.” I nod my head, like I’m agreeing with myself. Someone has to agree with me, and it’s obviously not going to be the woman standing in front of me. “You know, statistically—“
She cuts me off with a groan. “Not with the statistics! Some things can’t be decided with numbers, David.” She sighs, her expression finally softening. “Three weeks… fine.”
Day one of the break: Everything sucks without Isa.
Day two of the break: Mo won’t come over anymore unless I coax him with treats.
Day three of the break: I had to watch Isa and her sisters carry all the furniture and packed belongings from Isa’s house today. A month ago, I would have rejoiced that I no longer had to deal with her. But now my chest aches with every box they load into the moving truck.
Day four of the break: Isa leaves for Venice tomorrow. We haven’t spoken in four days now—
“What are you doing?”
My head jerks up in surprise to see Drew and Brooks standing in my kitchen. “How did you guys get into my house?”
Brooks takes a step toward the table where I’m sitting and chuckles. “Is that a diary?”
Drew slugs him in the shoulder and he winces. “Leave him alone. He’s heartbroken.” He crosses his arms, pinning Brooks with a serious stare. “Also, there’s nothing wrong with a man journaling his feelings. Mental health is important.”
I slam my journal shut. Not sure what I was thinking, documenting what’s going to be the worst three weeks of my life. It seemed like writing might connect me and Isabella in some cosmic way. Wow, it sounds stupid just thinking it. Next, I’m going to start reading my daily horoscope. What star sign am I even?
“Mom told us to check on you because you haven’t left your house in four days,” Brooks explains.
I roll my eyes. “Stupid Find My Friends app… They should rename it the ‘stalk your kids’ app.”
Drew shoves his hands into his jean pockets. “She’s just worried about you.”
Releasing a heavy sigh, I glance at the clock on the stove and see it’s already seven and I’ve forgotten to eat dinner… again.
“Bourbon?” I ask them, standing from the table and walking over to the bar cart.
They nod and I pour us each a glass.
“So what’s going on? Last we saw you, you were all heart-eyes over your neighbor,” Brooks says, taking a glass of bourbon from the bar cart before I can hand it to him.
“Technically, she’s not my neighbor anymore.” I chug my bourbon in one big gulp. “She’ll be traveling and writing full time now; she got an amazing offer from Monaco Hotels.”
“That sucks, I’m sorry, man,” Drew says, giving me a hard pat on the back as he takes his glass of bourbon from the bar cart. I turn to pour myself another glass but Drew grabs the bottle. “Why don’t we slow it down a bit?”
I shrug and walk into the living room then slump down into an armchair. Brooks and Drew follow me and take a seat on the couch.
“Where’s Madden?”
“D.C., remember? He'll be back in a few weeks,” Brooks reminds me.
