“All right, I’m heading out finally,” Dominic said as he made his way down the hall and out the side door. “See you guys later,” he said through a yawn.
Isabella flicked her eyes up to me with a knowing look, fighting back a smile. We had most certainly broken past some invisible line in the sand tonight. There was no undoing that.
I held my hand out for her to take, and she did, smoothing her skirt on the way up.
“Um, I’m ready to get home. I’m going to call my driver,” she said as she reached down for her phone tucked away in my bag.
“I’m taking you home, Isabella,” I said. “We’ll stop and get you something to eat, then I’ll drop you off at your parents’.”
She nodded and let me guide her out of the office, my hand on the small of her back. I waited as she put her high heels back on and nearly scooped her up in my arms when she flinched as her feet got buckled back in.
“Bring shoes to change into tomorrow; you shouldn’t be wearing those after your shift,” I said.
“But they look so cute,” Isabella said as she wiggled her foot out for me to see.
“They are cute, but your feet are sore, sweetie. You need comfy shoes for when you’re off the floor.” I kissed the top of her head as she pushed through the side door and out into the cool night air.
I lingered outside the club, the cool night air a sharp contrast to the warmth of the memories swirling inside me. My car was parked a few strides away, and with a press of a button, the headlights blinked, signaling Isabella to its location. As she approached, I opened the passenger door for her, a small gesture, but one filled with the unspoken electricity that had charged our evening.
“I could do that myself, you know.” Isabella’s voice was soft, almost playful, as I leaned across her to fasten her seatbelt.
“Where’s the fun in that?” The moment lingered, a mix of courtesy and intimacy, as my fingers brushed against her thigh. The door clicked shut, sealing us together for the journey back to her parents’ house.
As we settled into the drive, the quiet hum of the engine accompanied my racing thoughts. Isabella intrigued me in ways I couldn’t have predicted. There was a depth to our connection, a blend of vulnerability and resilience in her that called to deeper parts of myself. I used to think my attraction to her was leftover feelings from my childhood crush but getting to know her now, as a woman, felt like rediscovering her all over again.
With some years and life experiences under my belt, I found myself drawn to her in a new, more intense way. Keeping a professional distance was becoming a challenge, especially as I came to admire not just the confident air she projected but also the way her mind seemed to dance with ideas. Her blend of introspection and outward confidence fascinated me, and I was eager to see where this growing connection might lead.
Glancing her way, I noticed her thoughtful gaze, likely piecing together the evening’s revelations. “You okay?” I broke the silence, the weight of the night pressing between us.
“Yeah, just . . . thinking.” Her reply was hesitant but open, a door ajar to conversations yet to be had.
As we navigated the quiet streets, the silence became a canvas for reflection. “About tonight . . . or the message?” I ventured, touching upon the unaddressed tension Nikos’s message had introduced earlier.
She sighed, a mix of frustration and relief. “Both, I guess. It’s strange, Nikos’s life moving in a direction I once thought might include me. But now . . .” She trailed off, her voice softening. “When we broke up, he said some things that kind of hit home because maybe they are more true than I thought. I’m starting to wonder if he actually knew me better than I gave him credit for.”
I listened, letting her words hang between us for a moment. Then I offered gently, “Well, all I’ll say is it’s completely okay to change our minds about who we are and what we seek out of life, at any point in time. Whether we envisioned a certain life for ourselves last week or have held onto a vision for years, our feelings and desires are allowed to evolve. The fact that you’re yearning for something different now, compared to a few years ago, doesn’t make your current desires any less valid or real.”
Her gaze met mine, a silent acknowledgment passing through her eyes as she processed my words, perhaps finding in them a semblance of comfort or perhaps a new way to view her unfolding journey. The moment lingered, heavy with unspoken understanding, before she shifted, breaking the intensity with a light chuckle.
“So, speaking of unfolding journeys,” Isabella began, her tone shifting toward curiosity and excitement, “how’s everything coming along with the Mirage Guild? It’s only a few months away from opening, right?”
“Yeah, it’s getting real,” I replied, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves. “Honestly, I’m pretty nervous about the sommelier exam, but your flashcards have been a lifesaver. I don’t think I’d be as prepared without them.”
She smiled, pleased to have been able to help. “I’m glad they’re useful. And, you’re going to ace that exam, no doubt about it.”
“And you, Ms. Event Coordinator extraordinaire, how are you feeling about stepping into your new role more officially?”
Isabella beamed, a sparkle of pride in her eyes. “Honestly? I’m thrilled. It feels like everything is falling into place. Getting to focus on event planning, especially at a place as unique as the Mirage Guild, is really a dream come true. I can’t wait to see what we can create together.”
Her excitement was infectious, and for a moment, my own concerns melted away. The Mirage Guild was not just a project. It was the beginning of a new chapter for both of us, one where our individual strengths would come together to create something unforgettable.
Sitting there, under the soft glow of the streetlights, we were on the cusp of something new, something undefined but full of potential. The earlier tensions seemed distant, overshadowed by the mutual understanding and anticipation of what was to come.
With a reluctant sigh, Isabella turned to me. “I should probably get inside. But tonight . . . thank you, Max. For listening, for understanding.”
I reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “Always, Isabella. And hey, whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. Together.”
She smiled, that radiant smile that had first caught my eye, and with a nod, she exited the car. I watched her until she disappeared inside, the door closing softly behind her.
