| Isabella |

"What about this one?" Asks Rachael, turning to me and holding up a light pink dress. I nod and smile.

"Pretty." I tell her and she smiles too, gazing at it again before adding it to the ever growing pile of clothes she was planning on buying.

We were currently shopping at a little boutique and she had practically picked out half the clothing items in the store by now, slowly making her way through the various racks. I chose a few pieces, we were mostly here for her because she wanted to go shopping and I had nothing better to do besides wait for Nathan to get home.

Today he was flying home, and I was going to meet him later as soon as he was back in New York, but that wasn't until 7:30 at the earliest and right now it was only noon. So, I was dragged out of the apartment and out into the beautiful fall day.

"So what are you and Nathan doing tonight?" Asks Rachael as she continues to browse. I giggle a little.

"I don't know- I mean, he's planning something but he won't tell me." I say and she smiles slyly at me.

"Don't worry, I'm with Hunter tonight so you two get the apartment to yourselves." She says. "Or go to his place, which is probably better."

"What are you implying?" I asked, feeling my cheeks heating up even though I wasn't really embarrassed about anything.

"Nothing." She says mischievously. "Just that he might also intend to show you how much he missed you. . . so you two will need space to be alone."

"Oh good lord." I mutter, turning to the shirt I'm looking at that has a striped pattern.

"Well it's only natural." Says Rachael. "Maybe you should have a surprise for him as well."

And before I even know what's happening she's dragging me father back into the store until we're standing in front of a wall full of fancy lingerie. "No." I start but she shushes me.

"Just pick out something cute." She insists, picking out a cream colored, lace set and handing it to me. I hold it out in front of me, inspecting it. It was simple and sweet . . . something I knew he'd like.

"I don't know." I sigh and she rolls her eyes.

"If you don't get it, I will buy it and give it to you." She says and I give her a look.

"Okay fine." I mutter. "It is cute and kind-of sexy."

"See a nice treat." She adds and we both giggle, heading to the checkout.

After we went shopping Rachael and I went out to lunch at a cute little cafe down the street from our apartment. We got our food and then sat out on the small patio in front of the restaurant going over some beginning details for the wedding. We were both bubbling with excitement, going through a few magazines that she brought with her and looking at what we liked, book marking pages with sticky notes.

"Look at this one, with the white roses." She says, sliding the magazine she had across the table to me.

"Ooh! I like it, with the gold detailing." I say, pointing to the details I liked. "You're obviously going for super elegant and classy."

"Yes with slight hints of sexy of course." She says and we laugh.

"Always." I add, taking a bite of my salad and flipping through a few more pages.

"This is so fun, I am so freaking excited." She squeals, clasping her hands together. And I giggle.

"Trust me I know how happy you are. I am also very happy." I say. "And even if Hunter has been a jerk, he's gotten better and I'm really glad you're marrying him."

"Oh my gosh, I am going to cry at my wedding." She sighs. "I better get the best waterproof mascara."

"It's okay I'll probably cry too." I say and we laugh again.

"Isabella?"

We both turn and look behind us, where Shawn stands, grinning. Something inside me sinks as I realize I'd been dodging his calls constantly since I last saw him, too nervous to tell him I was with Nathan. Awkward conversations had never been my thing and so I'd been putting enough, perhaps for too long.

I noticed then Shawn seemed off, my biggest tip off was the red in his eyes, but in the moment all I thought was that he looked slightly sick. Not that his appearance wasn't 'normal', he was dressed in a nice suit, his hair combed and he was carrying a brief case. He was with a group of friends, but had waved them on as he stopped to talk to us.

"Oh, hey Shawn." I say, my voice suddenly faint. Rachael makes a face.

"Hello again." Says Rachael, both of us quickly standing to greet him as he walks over.

"We met at the party forever ago too, didn't we? Mr. Marino's daughter right?" He holds out his hand and Rachael shakes it, nodding. She's clearly wary of him, unsure as to why he's being so friendly.

"How have you been?" He asks us.

"Good." I say shortly.

"I got engaged recently so I'm extra good." Says Rachael and I nod, grinning. We all stand awkwardly for a moment. "And how have you been?"

"Good, good. Just, uh, grabbing lunch with friends." He says and then he's smirking. "Though I'd be better if you'd return my calls." He looks to me and so does Rachael, eyebrow raised.

"Oh." I turn pink. "Um, well, about that..." but before I can explain Rachael has beat me too it.

"She has a boyfriend now." She blurts and its Shawn's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Nathan Price, you might have heard of him."

"I see." He nods, then shakes his head slightly. "Okay, I guess that all makes sense now."

"I'm sorry." I say, making a face and smiling sympathetically. "I just . . . didn't know how to explain that to you over the phone. Especially because we'd already kind of been talking when I ran into you and we just . . . long story short, I should have told you from the beginning I liked him . . ." I trail off, realizing I'm rambling and not making any sense.

"It's okay." He shrugs, grimacing a little. "I guess he always gets the girl . . . I just think you could do better. He can be a dick."

I stare, shocked he just said that. He narrows his eyes at me and if I didn't know better I'd say he looked a little angry.

"You know, a couple months ago I would have agreed with you." Says Rachael and I feel my eyes widen, turning to look at her. "But actually now, I'd have to say your wrong. He treats her better than any other guy she's been with. He's sweet, caring and I have seen first hand how happy she is with him, so you can take your opinions and your hurt little-man feelings and shove them up your ass." I gasp, laughter bursting past my lips. "Bye now." She waves to Shawn, who opens his mouth to speak, shakes his head and marches past us into the cafe, glaring over his shoulder as he disappears.

As soon as he's gone I burst out laughing, shocked that had just happened.

"Oh my god." I say and she giggles. "That was awesome and also weird, like, what the hell? He seemed so . . . upset."

"Why didn't you tell me he's been calling you? And being annoying? When did you see him and how did he get your number? I need details." She says and I shake my head.

"Well, I ran into him while Nathan and I were fighting or whatever that was- I guess technically it was a break-up." I pause biting my lip. "Anyways, afterward Nathan and I got together, but Shawn didn't know that and he just kept calling and I kept avoiding it . . . until today."

Rachael laughs. "Girl, you do not know how to just tell a guy to back off. Does Nathan know?"

I make a face and don't say anything. Rachael rolls her eyes. "You should tell him." She says and I nod slowly.

"Well he knows that I ran into him because he showed up to see me that day, but he doesn't know he's been calling me." I admit. "I don't think it's a big deal . . . is it?"

"I mean I guess not." She shrugs. "It just depends on if you think he needs to know. Plus it seemed like a big deal to Shawn."

"I know. It was literally just a catch-up kind of of lunch, I didn't think I implied anything." I say. "Then again, I did flirt with him a little."

"Well you know assholes like that, they think they could possibly get in your pants and then are forever attached to a possibility that will never happen." She says and I giggle. "You do know that's probably all he wanted right? The dude has a reputation."

"I know." I say, rolling my eyes and grinning. "I just hope he gives up now at least."

She shakes her head, smiling and looking back to her magazine. I sip my lemonade, looking through another magazine too. I book mark a page and then I glance off to the side for a second, trying to decide if I should tell Nathan or not. I don't think Nathan would care, but then again, trust was important to him. And so was being honest. I sighed, choosing to put it out of my mind for now, I didn't need to tell him.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom and then let's go okay? I want to be home for Nathan." I say suddenly.

"Okay." She says, smiling and then turning back to her magazines. I stand, heading inside the building and following the cute sign pointing towards the restrooms, which were down a hallway with little framed polaroid photos of the city hung on the walls. This cafe is so trendy. I think to myself. I push on the clouded glass door to the woman's room, and as I'm about to enter, a hand around my arm stops me.

I gasp, whipping around and meeting Shawn's intense stare as he moves to pin me against the brick wall.

"Shawn, what are you doing?" I ask softly, confused.

"I just can't believe you chose him." He mutters, laughing. "That day we went to lunch you flirted and led me to believe maybe I had a chance."

"It was just lunch." I whisper, my mind racing as he pinned me between himself and the cold brick. What's happening? What do I do? He can't do anything. We're in public.

"It was more than just lunch." He spits and suddenly I see anger in his eyes. His grip tightens on my arm and I wince.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I hiss. "Stop overreacting, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner and maybe I should have just answered the phone, but I didn't and I am sorry."

"I know." He says. "And I appreciate that your sorry but I still feel like you and I could have something . . . I mean shit, you're so beautiful."

"Shawn." I warn as he inches closer. "Stop."

"Just one kiss." He whispers.

"No." I gasp, voice hoarse. But he doesn't listen. I wriggle in his grasp, my ability to speak suddenly gone and my mind blank. I turn my head, his lips meeting my cheek. I gasp as his hand holds my face forward again and before I know he's kissed me. I squeal, fighting against him and bringing my knee up with a painful force. He hisses and jumps back, releasing me.

"Bitch." He groans. "I thought you'd enjoy it."

"I said stop." I shout. "So stay the fuck away from me."

Then I turn, walking quickly back outside. By the time I reach the table I'm shaking and out of breath. "Hey, Rachael, let's go." I say hurriedly. She looks up, confused.

"What, why?" She asks.

"Just, I'll tell you at home." I mutter, glancing around to see if Shawn had followed me. "Please, let's go."

"Okay." She says nodding. She grabs her stuff and I get my purse. We leave money for the bill and then walk back to the apartment.

As soon as we're home I let out a long sigh, closing my eyes and resting against the kitchen counter.

"What happened?" She asks and I shake my head. I struggled to say it out loud, still having a hard time believing it had really happened.

"Shawn kissed me." I whisper and she gasps. I open my eyes and shock is etched into her expression. "When I was going to the bathroom, he stopped me in the h-hallway and kissed me. H-he like forced-" I sigh, clasping my shaking hands together.

"THAT ASSHOLE!" She shrieks. "I am going to kill him." She makes to charge out of the apartment in an irrational rage.

"Wait, wait." I stop her. "Look, I kicked him in the balls and yelled at him. I don't think I'll ever see him again, I think- it's fine."

"Ugh." She sighs. "Okay, okay. But you have to tell Nathan. That idiot is his friend and he needs to know what a piece of shit he is."

"I know, I know." I nod. "But he already knows he's a piece of shit, he warned me of it when he thought I might date Shawn. But I wasn't- I just wanted Nathan to be jealous. Anyways, he was right the whole time."

"Still, he cares about you." She says softly. "He'd want to know."

"You're right." I say and she smiles, suddenly grabbing me in a tight hug.

"I'm just glad you kicked his ass yourself." She says and I laugh, still in shock but glad I got away. I felt so . . . weird, I still couldn't believe it had happened. And I felt nervous . . . nervous to tell Nathan.

Hello Lovely Readers!

Thank you for reading this last update, I'm going to be updating again soon, either tonight or tomorrow. Like I said, I have a plan to finish and I'm excited to write it and share the story with you guys! Tell me what you think so far in the comments!

XX ,

-Keara Rose 🌹