once we moved like we were both consumed by an overwhelming, greedy need to touch and be touched.
His lips slanted over mine as he deepened the kiss, his arms wrapping around my waist as I clung to his shoulders.
For who knows how long we kissed each other like we needed this closeness in order to breathe.
It ended like it started, both of us stilling at once, as though we both came back to reality with a start.
It was a passerby on the other side of the street who had got our attention, reminding us we weren’t actually in this safe little cocoon, even if that was what it felt like.
I stumbled back a step and Henry let me go.
Oh no. What had I done? I lifted a hand to my lips and I imagined my eyes were just as glazed as Henry’s.
My head was still spinning from the feel of his arms around me and his lips on mine, and I…I was more confused than ever. So of course I handled it like a complete professional, mumbled an awkward goodbye and ran into my apartment like I was certain I’d be turned back into a pumpkin at any moment.
I mean, what other logical explanation could there be for Prince Charming himself kissing me?
Chapter Thirteen
Henry
I was halfway home when I realized I’d left Izzy’s without ever going over her notes for her pitch tomorrow morning. Though, I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, since the only thing my brain seemed capable of focusing on was that incredible kiss.
I’d kissed a lot of women, both on and off set, but I could safely say, I’d never had a kiss like that. It felt like being struck by lightning when my lips finally touched hers. But that wasn’t the thing that had surprised me most. It was the way that she’d kissed me back.
The fact that she’d let me kiss her at all had been beyond my expectations, but to have her return the kiss...it was the most pleasant shock I’d received in quite a long time.
Even as I plopped down on my bed, I couldn’t wipe the stupid grin off my face. I should’ve probably left well enough alone, but patience was a virtue I’d never learned. I pulled up Izzy’s contact on my phone and fired off a text.
Me: I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow. You don’t need it, but good luck.
I saw the tiny text bubbles appear and disappear a few times before she replied.
Izzy: Thanks. For everything.
Me: I’m the one who’s thankful, Izzy. I have a feeling together, we can make all our dreams come true.
When she didn’t write back, I groaned at my own cheesiness as I reread the text, mashing a pillow over my face. Oh well, too late now. The text was out there.
And I didn’t regret it.
Everything I said was true. I was grateful Izzy had confided in me tonight. I liked learning about her family and what was at stake for her. It was the first real conversation we’d had as Henry and Izzy. And it felt great to know she’d entrusted me with something that even the ‘Leo’ version of me didn’t know.
Our relationship had grown leaps and bounds today. Strangely, I owed that success to my father. If he hadn’t stood me up and demanded I attend a kid’s birthday party, Izzy and I wouldn’t have had this breakthrough.
Or maybe I owed scatter-brained Shari for this cloud nine high I was riding. Whoever was responsible, I was just grateful it happened.
It was funny how things worked out. Hollywood truly was the land where dreams could come true. And it seemed my new life’s mission was to make Izzy’s dreams a reality. And maybe my own would work out too.
That is, if I could figure out a way to confess the Leo situation.
I shook my head. Ironic that a fictional character could come between me and the girl of my dreams. Because that’s what tonight’s kiss had helped me realize. Izzy was my dream girl.
Never before had I connected with someone so easily, and on so many levels. Sure, we’d had a misstep or two in the beginning, but that was my fault. And even though I’d been a quintessential jerk, she’d given me another chance. Not only as an actor, but as a friend—as more than a friend, if tonight’s kiss was any indication.
A flurry of emotions filled me with restless energy as the memory of that epic kiss came crashing back