This was why I didn’t date. It was too complicated. There were too many rules. I wasn’t interested in all of those. I just wanted to date in my leggings and a sweary shirt and honestly, I wasn’t even sure about the leggings most of the time.

Goddddd.

I was not cut out for this, especially not with Isaac.

It was literally like being fifteen again. The nerves I felt were insane. I didn’t even know what food to order. Did he like Chinese? Pizza? Indian? Thai? Japanese?

Sushi or pizza?

Chow mein or pho?

Curry or burgers?

This was too difficult. Too much. Too damn complicated.

And through it all, I wasn’t even entirely sure how I felt about Isaac. I was so attracted to him—despite my protestations otherwise—and I was outside of my comfort zone entirely.

I wanted to 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 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.