worse. I have been through the wringer, but it’s my story, not his.
I leave through the back door, climbing the fire escape stairs and crawling into our second-floor apartment. Suddenly exhausted. It’s not glamorous — our life — but it’s all we know. We grew up in this apartment and unless Tony kicks me out, I’m here for good.
Sitting in the window seat of the street-facing window, I look out below. I see a crow sitting on the power lines, then it takes flight. My heart flutters, wishing I was able to leave this nest. But it’s not easy when my overprotective brother thinks he knows what’s best. I’ve learned it’s better not to argue.
But that was before my eyes locked with Matt’s, before my heart stirred in a way it never had before. Matt and I spoke for what, a few minutes? But in that space of time, I felt hope. And I haven’t felt hope in so long.
I watch the street as Matt leaves the pizzeria, shaking his head, putting in earbuds, and walking away. I wish I knew what he was listening to, wish whatever song was stuck in his head was stuck in mine too. Because all I have to go off of is his name and the fact that he wanted my number.
Why didn’t I take a chance and just give it to him?
I want to leave this apartment, but I’m too scared to fly.
Closing my eyes, I fall asleep, not exactly tired, but wanting to slip into a dream, a possibility of a different life, a different version of myself. Wanting to be the kind of girl who gives the guy her number.
And not just any guy.
Matt.
Because truth be told, he made me feel like no guy ever has before.
He saw me as who I am today — not the girl from before.
Chapter Three
Matt
All night at my restaurant, I can’t get Mirabella off my mind. By the time I close up for the night, I’m ready for a drink. I meet Josh and Grady at O’Malley’s for a pint and tell them about the girl I met.
“What the hell, man,” Josh laughs. “I haven’t even gotten my first date and you’re gonna beat me down the aisle.”
Grady lifts his eyebrows. “You guys sound insane. You know that, right? Love at first sight? It’s not real.”
“Says the guy who owns a flower shop. Seen too many lovesick fools buying roses for their girls, is that it?”
Grady takes a drink of his IPA. “How many times do I have to tell you? It’s a home and garden store. We sell fertilizer.”
“That’s bullshit,” I laugh. “Pun intended. But you sell more flowers than you do topsoil.”
Grady shrugs. “Maybe so, but it’s not the customers that have me put off. It’s my mother. God, she’s mentioning grandchildren every damn Sunday when I see her.”
We all laugh, able to relate.
“So, you really hit it off?” Josh asks.
I nod. “Yeah, and I made up my mind. Tomorrow I’ll go back to Sugar and Slice and try harder. Bring flowers. A box of chocolates. A teddy bear. I don’t know what girls want, but I know I want this girl. And I’ll do what I can to get her.”
My buddies shake their heads in surprise as a few more guys from the gym join us. But I don’t stay for another round. My mind isn’t here — it’s on her.
And as I walk back to my place, I can’t help but wonder. Maybe she is the one. Maybe love is on my mind for a reason. Maybe everything is leading up to this.
By the time I get to her pizzeria the next day, flowers — from Grady’s shop no less — in hand, a box of chocolates from the local candy shop under my arm, I hope the gesture will be appreciated. If she’d just give me a chance. And if her brother Tony would too. Damn, that guy had a chip on his shoulder all right.
I push open the door and there she is, coming through the back room. She drops the pizza she’s carrying in a box but manages to catch it before it hits the floor. She laughs nervously as she steps to the woman to the right of her. “Sorry, almost lost it,” she says. The woman thanks her before turning to go.
And then, just like that, we are alone. At last.
Mirabella
Matt came back. Like, actually came back. And he has roses. Actual red roses and a