| Isabella |

I've never cried over a guy before.

When I found out my boyfriend in college was cheating on me, I was relieved because I didn't want the stress of breaking up with him. But when Nathan basically told me, after everything, that he had just wanted to sleep with me, it crushed me.

Of course, I'd never let him see that, but when I got home it suddenly came crashing down around me and I lost it. The tears pouring down my face as soon as I walked in the door. Rachael came running towards from the living room where she'd been watching TV.

"Hey, oh my gosh, Izzy, are you okay?" She had asked and I told her what happened between sobs, balling like a baby. I'd never felt so pathetic in my life.

She was livid and prepared to go over to his apartment and follow through on her promise to remove his balls. But I stopped her. She then, of course, ranted about the record time it took for him to turn from a nice guy to pig. She said she'd never seen it happen so fast, which meant if she ever saw him again she'd chop off his penis too.

I wanted to spend the next few days in bed, regretting the last months. I wanted to call in sick to work and I eat my way through as many ice cream flavors as possible. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. That would mean he'd won something over me and I couldn't stand that thought.

So the next morning, even though it was difficult, I got out of bed. Rachael supported my decision to keep going with my life, as far as she was concerned a guy like Nathan was not worth putting your life on hold for. Each day I kept going, things slowly got a little easier. But, the next week, on Monday, not thinking about him was a little worse. And my day was ruined, if only I could get him out of my head.

I was sitting at my desk at work, trying to finish an assignment early for my boss, but my brain wouldn't let me focus on anything. It kept replaying that night over and over again in my head, taunting me. He'd turned so cold, so quickly, and I couldn't understand it.

I suddenly felt so defeated and . . . stupid all over again. I'd made so many assumptions and I completely forgot who he really was. I didn't love him but I did like him a lot and I'd gotten attached to the idea of maybe falling in love one day. I'd thought it could happen, but I'd been wrong about the whole fucking thing. That hurt the most.

I huff, frustrated and shut my computer down, deciding I should take my lunch break. There was a little bakery right next to the building I worked in that would cheer me up, at least, I hoped it would. I hadn't really been eating right for the past week. I'd have some food here and there, but I honestly felt too sick to eat sometimes. Rachael kept insisting it would get better and that I would meet someone better for me, but right now, the world felt hopeless.

I grab my purse, throwing my phone and wallet inside before signing off and leaving the office. It was nearly noon now, and the Manhattan sidewalks were busier than ever, people rushing to go places, never looking twice at those around them. It was barely a five minute walk to this bakery, and as soon as I stepped inside I knew I'd made the right choice. It smelled like fresh bread and good coffee, two things my light would never be complete without.

I order a latte, salad and one of the adorable pastries from the case up front. They were different flavored bites of cake, some lemon or chocolate, covered in pastel colored fondant and frosting. I sat at a window seat, looking out at the city, and the sun shining over everything. This kind-of day was my favorite. A day where the air is still and calm, where there isn't a cloud in the sky and the sun is so bright that just about anything lights up. But, today, it all felt bland. Boring.

I took my time eating, even though I realized half way through my salad, I didn't even want it. I got up to put my dishes in the tray near the counter where you picked up your food, when I hear my name. I turn.

"Hey, Isabella!" I see Shawn, Nathan's friend from that party forever ago, making his way over to me, carrying a coffee in his hand. I plaster a smile on my face and wonder why the universe was so cruel.

"Hi!" I say, trying to sound as bright as possible. He grins, coming to stand in front of me. He was dressed in a suit, his dark hair curly as ever and his eyes glinting mischievously. He was exactly as I remembered him from the party. I didn't know much about him, I had heard that he spent most of his time messing around with all the toys his parents got him, everything from flying helicopters to spending the weekend on his yacht. He was supposed to be this big 'player' and major partier, but when I'd met him I hadn't picked up that vibe from him. Other than rumors, I actually knew nothing about him. Maybe running into him now was a . . . good thing.

"It's been a while, how have you been?" he asks and I nod.

"I've been good, what about you?"

"Oh you know, just one day at a time." he says good naturedly and I smile at that. "Are you sitting with anyone? We should catch up."

"Um, no, come on over." I say, and he follows me to my table. He immediately complements my choice in seating, gushing over the view of Manhattan. He was as charming as ever, eager to talk and eager to listen. He seemed to enjoy telling jokes, almost as much as he enjoyed laughing at them. It only occurred to me after he offered to walk me back to my office when we were finished, just how kind and normal he was. Why hadn't I been more attracted to him when we met? He's the kind-of nice guy Rachael thinks I need and I was starting to agree with her. He even told me he'd wished he'd gotten my number at the party because he liked me so much. That made me blush.

The walk back to my building was very short, and he made a remark about wanting to spend more time with me. He was dropping hints like crazy, like a normal person does when they like some one, and since I'd been spending so much time with Mr. Cold and Calculated, I was unsure how to react to it.

"Maybe we'll have to get together sometime." I say then gently, deciding to flirt back a little and he grins.

"That'd be awesome, I could take you to my favorite diner in the city." he says, and I nod.

"That sounds really good." I say and he hands me his phone suddenly.

"Here, why don't you put your number in my phone and I'll call you to set this up." he insists. "And that way, you won't sneak away from me again." I laugh a little, opening his contacts and putting my number in. He was forward, but at least he wanted to be around me. You should be glad he wants to go out with you at all. My conscience reminds me and I resist the urge to grimace.

"There you go." I hand it back to him. "Make sure you call me." I add and his expression lights up a bit, he seemed glad he wasn't the only one flirting now. He takes my hand swiftly in his and brings it up to his lips gently before releasing it. I find suddenly I can't breathe because of the shock radiating through me. That was a real smooth move. I grin at him.

"See you around Isabella." he says sweetly, waving as he walks back into the crowd. I wave too, letting my other hand run over the spot where his lips had just been. He might be more dangerous than I thought. He was very good at whatever game he was playing right now, but for some reason it didn't bother me. Don't forget, the last guy didn't have any moves like that. Says my conscience, piping up and making me want to slap her.

I open the door to my building and walk into the lobby.

"Isabella."

I jump suddenly, spinning around and feel my heart drop at that voice. It was him. Nathan stood there, near the front door, as though he'd just entered. I'd been so lost in my thoughts I guess I hadn't even noticed him. He looked amazing. Dressed in one of his sharp suits, clean shaven and looking as handsome as ever.

How was it fair he always got to look that good? And how was it fair of him to come here of all places? Why couldn't he just leave me alone now that everything I'd worked so hard for was gone?

But I'm so startled by his presence that anything I had to say, was caught in my throat. He walks to me, looking determine and irritated.

"What the fuck was that out there?" he asks quietly, but his voice is dark. I roll my eyes instantly and laugh. Finding that voice again.

"Why the fuck do you care?" I bite back and he falters for a second.

"You and Shawn? Really?" he asks.

"I'll have you know, we just happened to run into each other at a restaurant down the street. So there's no 'me and Shawn', but even if there was you'd have no right to be upset." I say forcefully, trying to keep my voice from echoing around the vaulted ceilings. There was enough noise in the lobby that our confrontation was going unnoticed, but even so, I needed him to leave before I punched him and made a scene.

"I- I just, he's just as bad as I am." he says softly, his expression changing and I laugh again.

"That's funny, because when I was with him earlier, he seemed very different." I muse, pretending to be confused. "He was nice, normal, very charming and he made sure I knew that he actually wanted to be around me. He didn't seem to think I was a nuisance. Which, I am sorry about, I realize now how much I pissed you off and you were right, I should have taken a hint and never pursued you." I say, smiling. "I'm just so silly sometimes."

"Stop it." he mutters, looking away from me and I drop the sarcasm, deciding to glare at him instead.

"What are you doing here anyway?" I ask and he looks back to me.

"I guess I wanted to see you." he says, his voice low. "Wanted to see how you were."

"Why? We're not dating or anything." I snap and I knew those words would get to him. They were the ones he said to me when I came to 'just see him'. He sighs, looking pained for a second.

"Just, don't date Shawn, okay?" he says and I roll my eyes, feeling more exasperated by the second.

"You have no right to tell me that." I sigh, and he works his jaw, like he's trying to decide what to say next. But then, he gives up.

"Yeah, I guess." he mutters. "I guess you're right."

He stands in front of me, studying me for a few more moments before he just walks away, through the front doors and back out into the crowd.

_

Hello!

Thank you for reading, I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter. There will be another one coming soon, don't worry, not all hope is lost for Nathan and Isabella yet. (maybe)

XOXO

-Keara Rose