Let Me Love You

Chapter 5

Lisa POV

"I want you." What the hell? "I–I mean, I want to talk to you." Yes, that's better.

"Oh, yes, sure. Umm, my shift ends in 30 minutes. We can talk then, unless you don't want to wait. We can—"

"No, I can wait. That's okay," she interrupted me mid-sentence.

"So, umm, can I have a hot chocolate?" Rachel ordered her drink and walked to a table by the window to grab a seat. I looked around the cafe; it wasn't busy today. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow through the windows.

..................

"Here's your hot chocolate," I said, approaching her table. She turned around, and I placed the drink in front of her before taking a seat across from her. She had a smile on her face the entire time.

"So, I wanted to say thank you. For last night. Lucy told me everything."

"Lucy? You mean Miss Taylor?" I asked. She nodded, and a small smile played on her lips.

"It was nothing. You don't need to say thank you," I said, smiling back at her. Her smile made my stomach flutter, a feeling I hadn't felt ever with any of my one night stands or any woman or a girl.

"But I do. Umm, how about you come to my place for dinner? What's your favorite food? I'll make it," she said eagerly. She wanted to do something for me, to thank me.

"You don't have to do that. Trust me, it's fine," I said, leaning forward slightly to see her face, to examine the small details of how the sunlight accentuate her features, making her look even more beautiful.

"No, I won't hear any excuses. You will come. Be ready and at my house by 7:30," she said, getting up and grabbing her bag. "Here's my address—"

"No need, I already have it," I said, interrupting her.

"Oh, right. Of course, you do. Bye, Lisa. See you," she said, walking out before I could make up any excuses for not going to her house. I clutched my stomach lightly, breathing in and out. Why do I feel this knot in my stomach whenever I see her?

.......................

"How do I look? Is this outfit okay? Is it too much?" I asked, staring at myself in the mirror.

"You know what I'm thinking?" Nolan said. "I was the one who drove and practically saved both of you with my deep voice. Why am I not invited?" I grabbed a comb off my dresser and threw it at him.

"Nolan, how do I look?" I repeated, more urgently. He looked me up and down as I nervously stood there.

"You look good, like beautiful good," he said with a grin. Relief washed over me, and I nodded, smiling brightly. I'm going to meet her. She called me for dinner as a thank you, but I'm fine with that. I don't mind. Any time spent with her makes me happy.

"Girl, you sure this isn't a date?" Nolan said out of nowhere. There goes my happiness, jumping off a cliff. I turned around to glare at him for ruining my moment.

"What? You think this outfit is too much? Should I change?" I asked, suddenly unsure. I didn't want her to think I was overly excited or overdressed for a casual dinner. I glanced in the mirror again: long denim jacket, mid-length flower-printed dress, and my brunette wavy hair down. Should I make a bun? Or a high ponytail? Or—

"Lisa, no. You look perfect," Nolan interrupted my thoughts. "Just remember the reality: she's a widow, probably not looking for anything romantic right now. She just called you for a thank-you dinner. Understood?"

I slumped my shoulders, knowing he was right. "Understood," I muttered, trying to temper my excitement with a dose of reality.

"Yes, I know. Now bye, I don't want to be late," I said, heading for my bedroom door.