When all I answer with is a smile, Izzy walks on ahead of me, taking in my home. It's the first time she has agreed to come here; usually, she requests that I rent a hotel room. She appears mesmerized by it, and I can't help but feel pride overtake me. I've worked hard to afford it. I had never dreamed of owning the historical farmhouse, its land, or anything like it. I always pictured myself staying in the city, where I feel most comfortable, but something about its charm called out to me. I needed it to be mine. Hell, maybe I’ll even get some animals. I wonder which ones Izzy likes. Chickens? Cows? Maybe horses? Definitely not pigs.
Catching up, I wrap my arm around her waist, halting her movements, and pull her to me.
"What if today wasn't sexual, and we didn't stay here at all?" I whisper into her ear.
Instantly, she pulls out of my grasp, swinging around to face me head-on with confusion painted all over her beautiful features. "Your text clearly said—"
I chuckle, and her confusion quickly turns to annoyance. "I know what my text said. I was just going over your rulebook in my head, and nowhere is it mentioned that non-sexual fun isn't allowed."
The corners of her mouth curl into a smile, and she sucks in her bottom lip, trying to hide it.
It's then I know that, even though she may not like it, a part of her is falling for me too.
Chapter twenty-seven
Izzy
October 2022
"Where are you taking me this time?" I giggle as Maverick pulls my arm and drags me eagerly behind him down the bustling sidewalk of New Orleans.
You could say this has become our thing over the past few weeks. He texts me, saying he needs to see me with promising sexual innuendos, only to plan an elaborate date that blows me away.
He’s blown me away, too. Whether I wanted to or not, I’ve gotten to know Maverick. And, whether I wanted to or not, I like him. A lot. With each date, I discover a littlemore.With each date, I’m left wanting to knowmore.
And it scares the shit out of me.
Almost like it did with Jett.
"You'll see," he says with a chuckle, dragging my thoughts back to him. It’s one of the things I’ve discovered—his power to make me focus on him. Not necessarily silencing my thoughts and memories, but muting them. Making them bearable.
Maverick grips my hand tighter, takes a sharp left turn, and we come to meet the most beautiful set of French wooden doors. I've never taken the time to appreciate a damn door, but this entryway is unlike any I've ever seen, and it demands appreciation.
The sound of music pours out of the building, but it's muffled and nothing I recognize.
"Mav, what is this place?" I ask, my voice soft, still in awe at the sight before me.
He steps forward, throwing a smile and a wink over his shoulder as he reaches for the handle to swing one of the grand doors open. As he does, I'm met with the most breathtaking sight.
Rustic iron sconces on the wall in the shape of lanterns light the room, along with fairy lights strung throughout. The low, romantic lighting sets the entire vibe, and I'm here for it. The art on the walls and vibrant pops of color immediately grab my attention.
"Wow..." I whisper breathlessly, pushing past Maverick and the hostess and making my way further into the building, entranced by the beauty around me. It's like Louisiana threw up in here, and it's fascinating.
Large cypress trees stand firm on the far right side, with the restaurant’s bar attached to them. Tables lay spread throughout, with people dining, each one secluded from the other, giving every group their own experience. It's all beautiful, but the murals painted on the walls entrance me the most and pull me in.
Not many people know this about me, but I've always been captivated by art, specifically paintings. I used to dabble in it in high school. It was a good outlet for me. I was pretty decent at it, even considering art school, but... life. Life happened.
"These are stunning," I say softly to no one in particular.
On the wall before me is a giant, colorful mural of all aspects of Louisiana, from the swamps and the cane fields to the vibrant city life. It's all here. While the contrasts announce joy, some of the aspects of the paintings scream pain. I look it over and soak it in, trying to add each element to my memory bank.
Maverick's whisper comes out from behind me just as he places a hand on my shoulder. "These were painted by some of the homeless here in the city. The restaurant hired them to display their talents."
"Really?" I spin to face him briefly before turning back to the wall, placing one hand over my mouth and the other over my chest. "That's beautiful. This takes talent. It deserves to be displayed."
"I agree, and I knew you'd appreciate it the same way I do."
"How did you know?" I turn to face him again, giving him my full attention this time.
