“It’s okay. Total wrecks are my specialty.”
He winked at me and then playfully tugged on Rosalina’s ponytail before exiting the building. As soon as he was gone, Rosalina sank into the seat he had just vacated and sighed.
“Like I said yesterday, you hit the stinking jackpot, Izzy.”
This time, I didn’t disagree. Maybe the next three months wouldn’t be that bad at all.
Chapter 3
Week1–Monday
Liam
There were moments in a person’s life they would always remember. Like the moment I met Isabella. Seeing her collide with that wall, all the drinks spilling around her, was etched in my mind. When she looked at me, her bun askew and her huge brown eyes blinking up in shock, something inside me melted. Don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t because I was attracted to her. It was just because I suddenly realized Mrs. Rogers had given me exactly what I needed.
I’m ashamed to say it, but last year, I would have been the jerk laughing at Isabella splayed out on the floor like that. Of course, a lot has happened since then. Since I was a conceited, selfish, and entitled dirtbag.
Isabella seemed nothing like anyone I used to be friends with. With her, I could be kind, and charming, and selfless. Isabella wouldn’t know the old me. That’s what I was hoping in that second that I stood staring down at her.
If I am being honest, I was also relieved that I wasn’t really attracted to her. Love was off the table. For good. It would have been more difficult to keep that mind frame if she had been hot. I believed in romance, but right now, I was such a mess, there was no sense dragging someone into my life. Which was also why this project was going to be a challenge. I mean, how could I show Isabella the real me when I didn’t even know who the real me was anymore?
As if sensing she had just arrived, I looked toward the library door and saw Isabella headed toward me. Her long straight black locks flowed freely now, cascading around her shoulders and landing right beneath her breasts. I was surprised by those as well. Her apron had hidden most of her figure. She wasn’t, like… overweight, but she was curvy. It worked well on her. She even had some makeup on. Not like some girls where it looks caked on. Simple, natural-looking makeup that made her seem… pretty.
My hormones, however, were still in check. She looked much cuter than the last time I saw her, but she was still the opposite of the kind of girls that I liked to date. At least physically. I’m guessing she was pretty opposite personality-wise, though, too. I was one of those guys that seemed to be drawn to the drama queens or queen bees. I know… I know… I’ll add it to the list of things to work on.
Isabella was walking slowly and I could tell she was still in a bit of pain. I rose from my seat when she reached me and she smiled softly.
“Hello.”“Hi. How’s your back?”
She winced.
“Not great.”
We both looked at the library chairs. They were wooden and hard, and I knew after five minutes it would be unbearable for her.
“Let’s go somewhere more comfortable. What time do you have to be home?”
Her nose crinkled as she thought.
“I really don’t know. Normally I watch my brother and sisters on Monday. To be honest, I don’t really go out all that much so my parents never really gave me a time to be home by.”
Unable to stop myself, I teased her.
“See, this is why phones come in handy.”
She rolled her eyes and then they widened.
“Oh, well can I borrow yours? I can just call the restaurant and ask them.”
I handed her my phone, and as she was waiting for someone to answer, she looked at me curiously.
“Who did you speak with when you called?”
Before I could answer her, she started talking into the phone. It was amusing to watch. Even though she was talking to someone who couldn’t see, she was still making hand gestures. After a few minutes, she hung up and gave me back my phone.
“What’s the verdict?”
“Eight.”
