Number Neighbors - Emma Hart Page 0,27

like Isaac. I wanted to have more. I wanted to break free of my worries and carry out all the things we’d discussed in our texts, but I was so wary at the same time.

We were neighbors.

If it went wrong, it would be the worst having to live next to him.

But if it went well…

“Ughhhh.” I dropped back onto my bed and blew out a long, deep breath. I traced the pattern on the ceiling with my eyes. It was calming and soothing, and I kept it up until I could no longer figure out where I’d started.

I sat up. This dress was fine. It wasn’t too fancy or too casual. It said exactly what I expected from this date, and you know what this paired well with?

Pizza.

Everyone needed pizza on the first date.

I checked the time. It was ten past seven. Isaac was going to be here soon, so I opened the pizza place app on my phone and placed an order for two personal pizzas, potato wedges, a garlic bread pizza, and two chocolate brownies for dessert.

I was already in possession of the wine.

Obviously.

I waited for the confirmation of the email then stepped up to my dresser where I could put a lick of mascara on my lashes. It popped my eyes just enough.

I ran the brush through my hair one more time and took a moment to smooth out my curls with some product. My curls hang loosely around my shoulders and I made my way down to the living room.

Lucifer was curled up on the sofa, pressed against where I’d been sitting before I’d gone upstairs to change. There was no way I was going to get through this date without losing my mind, but I had to try.

I perched on the edge of the sofa, careful not to disturb the kitten, and picked up the empty glass of wine. With a sigh, I reached for the chilled bottle in the middle of the table and poured some into my glass.

God, I was nervous.

So nervous.

I had no idea what to make of this not-a-date. Isaac had me wrapped up in all kinds of knots, and none of them were the BDSM kind.

Well, maybe my insides were.

I took a deep breath and stood, pacing my living room. Lucifer paid me enough attention to open his eyes slowly, stare at me for a good moment, then close them again.

Well, excuse me for disturbing you, Lord of Darkness.

I turned away from the kitten and resumed my pacing. Up and down like a freaking lunatic until I couldn’t take it any longer and finally perched on the windowsill like a cat after a bird.

This was ridiculous. I was ridiculous. It was only Isaac—my neighbor. If it went to shit, it didn’t matter. He said himself all I had to do was tell him I wasn’t attracted to him and it would all go away.

I doubted that would be the truth, but I had to give this my best shot.

Plus, I kind of wanted to have dinner with him.

We’d been neighbors for a while now and I was intrigued by him. We’d barely had a full conversation until the recent events—and I hardly counted those texting things as conversations.

I needed help. Why had I agreed to this? Why had I said this in the first place? What the fuck was wrong with me?

Screw help.

I needed a Xanax.

I grabbed my phone from the sofa and shot off a text to Immy.

ME: This is a terrible mistake

IMMY: Why? Did he show up in assless leather chaps?

ME: Oh, God, now I’m scared he will.

IMMY: Do you think he fucks with a British accent?

ME: I can’t talk to you when you’re like this.

I tossed my phone back down, earning myself another side-eye from the sleepy kitten. I rolled my eyes at his attitude and walked into the kitchen.

For absolutely no reason. I needed nothing in here.

I spun around and went back to the living room where I grabbed my wine glass and downed the tiny amount I’d put in there. It did diddly squat, but the movement made me feel a little better.

I felt like one of those long-suffering heroines in a romance movie—oh, oh, or a Disney one!

If this went on much longer, I was going to have to throw myself down dramatically while crying. I didn’t have a fancy water fountain like Cinderella, but maybe the bathtub would be an appropriate substitution.

I was so dramatic. Grandma Jen would be proud of that little