unfinished

chapter 16

The spa, the nap, it all was a perfect afternoon Izzy thought as she stretched in the bed, watching the dusk darken outside her window.

True to her word, Olivia had called a couple of times since the meeting, but Izzy had not picked up the calls.  She already knew what Olivia would say. 

After a few minutes she would ask about Rege and pry into whether he had been in her bed during this trip.  Then she would end with a lecture about friendship and a warning to avoid allowing Hoseok to get close to her. 

She was still trying to puzzle out why Olivia sent her here knowing Hobi was with this company. It looked like she still intended to keep them apart, even as friends.

Izzy frowned.  Things were so very complicated, but she was no longer willing to sacrifice her feelings for Olivia's skewed ideas. 

Hobi had his own life now. Izzy doubted she had even crossed his mind until she stepped into that conference room the other day.

But now that she had seen him, had talked to him, she realized just how much she had missed him. 

For months she had grieved his leaving.  Then she did everything she could to forget him, telling herself he was forgotten. That was the lie she told herself most frequently.

He was her friend, first and foremost.  There was nothing to say they could not be friends again.  Her conscious pricked at that, but she shook it away.

Friends, just friends, if just for tonight.  And that became the new lie she used to sooth her concerns.

She spent some time in her closet.  She had packed few casual clothes for this trip, but she had snagged a couple of samples of her designs. 

She pulled out a pair of black leather jeans that were soft and supple and hugged her curves. She selected a shirt with a bold graphic on one side. 

She nodded in approval.  “This is exactly something Hobi would pick out" she thought as she headed to the deep tub to finish her party preparation. 

She turned on her music and hummed and danced the entire time she was getting ready.
In a final mirror check, she turned and frowned. 

She saw only the flaws, failing to note the glow of her skin or the shine in her eyes.  She was stunning with no clue how happy and healthy she looked.

The call came before she could fuss with her hair, again, and Dae's cheerful voice called her downstairs.

She worked to calm her breathing all the way down the elevator ride.  She nodded to the driver who held the door to the silver sedan. She smiled as she slid inside, surprised to see Dae the only occupant.

Dae did not miss the disappointment flash across her face.

“ My date had a late meeting across town so he went from there and is waiting for us already,” she explained.  She smiled at the texts Jin was sending telling her to hurry.

“ Hobi is with him.” She watched as Izzy processed that information and pretended it did not matter.

“ Good….nice,” Izzy said, trying to relax. Dae kept her busy with small talk until the arrived at the café. 

“ This is the café.  It will be a bit quiet tonight since it is mid week.  The loft is above.  I can’t wait for you to see it.,” Dae explained as she led her up the broad brick stairwell.

At the top of the stairs Izzy stopped, trying to take in the space.  It was massive, with exposed brick and huge windows.

She noticed the design immediately.  It had been designed to create small intimate areas for gathering.  Art of all mediums hung on the wall or was displayed throughout the space.  It was a feast for the eyes.