I turn back toward the living room, my pulse still pounding. Izzy's place is exactly what I expected and also nothing like I expected.
It's small, but it's comfortable. Cozy. The apartment has character—high ceilings typical of older Hoboken buildings, large windows that likely offer a view of the Manhattan skyline during the day. Family photos line the walls, many showing what must be her Italian family—brothers, parents, and an elderly woman who has to be the Nonna she mentioned.
It smells like her. Vanilla and coconut. Unmistakably Izzy.
And it's fucking with my head.
Because now I'm in her space.
Now I'm standing in her living room, looking at the blanket tossed over the couch, the half-read book on the coffee table. Now I'm too close, and she's just past that wall, stripping out of her dress and crawling into bed.
Jesus.
I need to get out of here.
But, the universe hates me because as soon as I have that thought, I hear her call out my name, as clear as day.
I step into her bedroom, and she's already half-buried under the covers, blinking up at me, completely boneless.
"You should sleep with me," she slurs.
My brain misfires.
I just stare at her.
"What?"
"Sleep with me," she repeats, patting the bed. "You're all big and warm. It'll be nice."
Big and warm.
Jesus Christ.
"No," I say, far too quickly.
She pouts again. "Why not?"
Because I'm already walking a razor's edge with you, sweetheart.
Because I already can't stop thinking about how soft you are, how good you feel pressed against me.
Because if I get in that bed with you, I won't sleep.
Because I will think about touching you all fucking night.
"I'm not leaving you alone like this," I say instead. "But I'll sleep on the couch."
She blinks at me, slow and drowsy. Then, to my absolute fucking horror, she smiles.
Like I just said something sweet.
Like she likes that I won't leave her alone.
Like she wants me here.
I swallow hard. "Go to sleep, Izzy."
She sighs, curling into her pillow.
I force myself to back out of the room.
To close the door.
To walk away from her.
I sit on the couch, drop my head back, exhale.
I need to get a grip.
She's just through that wall.
Sleeping.
Drunk and reckless, and so fucking sweet it hurts.
I let my eyes close.
My phone vibrates.
I don't even need to look.
I already know what it is.
She just messaged Caleb.
NOW CHATTING WITH CALEB
Pretty Girl
hiii
Caleb
Hi, pretty girl.
im soooooo drunkkkkk
I can tell.
no u cant
Your typing says otherwise.
ok maybe
but alsooooo i have a probem
A problem?
yepppp
Tell me.
i wanna come
...
That’s a problem?
yes bc ur supposed to make me do it
Am I?
duh
ur my perfect boyfrnd remember?
I do remember.
Tell me, why are you so turned on?
bc a guy at work is really really hot
Hmm.
And your boyfriend?
was a total fucking asshole today
like. new level. went full olpymic gold in asshole behavior
I’m not surprised.
me either
but that other guy?
omggggg
Tell me about him.
he’s like
walking sin
like broad and huge and muscly and he has tatoos
Tattoos?
tattooS with an S yes.
Where?
on his arms but he always covers them so i only see a little and it makes me insane
You want to see them?
i wanna lick them
...
whatttt
its true
What else?
he saved me today
Saved you?
ugh long story but yes
swooped in like a damn hero
he’s so big
like. he could pin me down so easy
Would you like that?
yes
i wanna feel small under him
helpless
Fuck.
that a good reaction?
Very.
good. bc i need u to help me fix my problem
Tell me what you need.
i wanna come so bad
but i want more
i want the vibrator
You don't have one?
nooooo the one that you control
the premium version or something
Since you asked so nicely, how can I refuse?
yessss
i want it so bad
Then you’ll have it.
good bc i need it
bc i want you inside me
Fuck.
yes say more
You want me to tell you exactly what I’d do to you?
yes
make it filthy
If I were there, I wouldn’t just let you come.
I’d make you beg for it first.
fuckkkk
I’d have you spread out for me, already dripping, already desperate.
You wouldn’t be able to think straight.
I wouldn’t let you.
oh my god
i wanna feel wrecked
You would be.
