Page 86 of Howlin’ For You

But I can’t go to her place. She asked for space, and the absolute least I can do is respect that request.

Even if I’m practically tearing out my own hair in the process.

I have no idea how much time has passed as hurt swirls in my head. I pick up the blanket she bought, bringing it to my nose just to get a whiff of her scent.

Fuck. I can’t do this to myself again.

It’s that thought that finally stops me cold. I did the same thing when my parents died. I holed up in my house, and I forgot how to live.

I need something to focus on so I don’t lock myself in this house once more and succumb to that darkness inside that tells me I’ll be alone forever. I can’t go back to the horrible, lonely place I lived in for so long.

I won’t.

I need to shower. Eat something. Get out of the house, even just for a walk. Go through the steps I taught myself before until I can breathe again.

And that’s what I do—follow a routine. Let the cold water wake me up and let a bit of bread fill my belly, so that by the time I’m ready to throw on a jacket and take a walk, I feel a little bit more like me.

I feel a little bit more like the man who can win Izzy’s trust back.

And that starts with letting her know that I’m in this. I’m going to make a goddamn grand gesture and get my woman back.

I’m going to show her just how serious I am about our future. About having her in my life.

I’m going to take the spare bedroom upstairs and turn it into an office for her. I’m going to show her that this is our house. Our space. The life that I want to start.

Plus dinner, dessert, and one special gift picked out just for her from the market. Something local. Something that feels like Izzy. I’ll prove that I know her.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I step out my front door and into the autumn air. Each step forward lifts my mood. I’m going to make this happen.

First stop is Georgie. If she’s going to help me with dessert, she’s going to need time. Luckily, it’ll take me a day or two to finish the office, so she has a lot more time to work with than she did on the last date.

There’s a line out the door at Tea Leaves, but this is an emergency, and I like to think Georgie would do just about anything for Izzy.

And maybe for me, too. Even if she is mad at me.

“You don’t look as horrific as I thought you would,” Georgie greets me with a grimace, but her eyes comb over me with worry.

“No, but I do need a favor,” I reply, diving under the counter and popping up at her side.

She cuts me a glare that chills my blood. “Why would I do that?”

“Because it’s for Izzy.”

The heavy sigh in response makes me smile for the first time since everything happened. “And what is it you need?”

“A box of Izzy’s favorite desserts ready by tomorrow.”

The glare softens, but she still raises a brow. “You realize I should tell you to fuck off and fix this yourself, right?”

I nod.

Another heavy sigh escapes her, but she turns and waves me toward the kitchen with her too-long nails. “You’re lucky I like her more than I’m annoyed by you.”

I smile to myself.

Georgie pulls out a small spiral notebook and a pen, scribbling with a ferocity that has me worried she’s going to burn a hole in the paper.

She very well may wish I were the paper.