The driver grumbles when I give him my address since it’s in the bad part of town, but thankfully keeps driving. After paying him, I get out and walk upstairs. I’m going to need to tell Yasmin what happened, but right now all I want is a hot shower and some ice cream.
When I get to my apartment, I find a notice on my door. Fucking James. I have no doubt he’s behind this shit. I unlock my door and go inside, pulling out my phone so I can text Yasmin.
Me: Can you get me that job at Fairy Tales?
Yas: I’ll call her in the morning. Are you texting me while on your date?
Me: No… Long story. Come over in the morning.
Yas: Will do.
CHAPTER NINE
ISAAC
“How’s it going?” I ask Noah as I type an email to Lucinda requesting Jasmine again. I fucked up tonight with Camilla. I should’ve just said I wouldn’t rat on her friend and then asked her out, but instead, the shrewd businessman in me came out and I blackmailed her like a dumbass. I didn’t even realize what I was doing until she threw it back in my face and ran. I messed up and now I need to make it right, and since I can’t just show up at her place—well, I could, but that probably wouldn’t get me any points in her book—although, now that I think about it, booking her probably isn’t the best way to get her attention either.
Shit… I cancel the email and glance back at the rectangle with Noah’s face in it.
“Are you listening to any fucking thing I’m saying?”
“Sorry, I’m a bit distracted. Did you send the numbers over to me?”
“Yeah. They’re all in the email.”
“Thanks, I’ll look them over in the morning when I have a clear head.”
He eyes me for a long moment. “What’s going on, Isaac?”
“I met the one,” I tell him, not even bothering to sugarcoat it.
“The who?” He knows what I mean, but he’s being a dick.
“The woman I’m going to marry.”
His brows hit his forehead. “When? I’ve only been gone for like a week… Wait a fucking second. Are you talking about the escort? Isaac…” He groans.
“She’s not an escort. It’s a long story, but yes, her. She’s an unexpected surprise. Kind of a hot mess…” I say with a chuckle, using her words. “But a beautiful hot mess.”
Noah stares at me through the screen like I’ve lost my mind, and I guess to someone like him, who has no desire to find love or settle down, it might seem like I have. But to me, it feels right. Now I just need to figure out how to make shit right with her again.
“I don’t even know what to say,” Noah remarks, sounding exhausted from what I’ve told him. “Try not to marry her before I get home.”
I bark out a laugh because he’s not joking. He knows how I feel, and I’ve told him on several occasions, if I found the woman I want to spend my life with, I wouldn’t hold back. My parents’ time with each other was brought to an end years too early, and I won’t sit back and let life pass me by. I learned from what happened to them, nothing in this life is guaranteed—including our time.
“Don’t forget Saturday we have a shipment coming in. I won’t be back until Monday.”
“Got it.” I jot it down so I don’t forget. “Anything else?”
“Nope.” He looks at me with concern and I wait for him to say what’s on his mind. “I know you like this woman…”
“I do. A lot.”
Noah sighs. “Just be careful.”
“Always.”
“I’m sorry, but she no longer works here.”
“You sure?”
“Yep, she quit.”
She told me the other night she was working here. It’s only been a couple days. What the hell happened in such a short amount of time to make her quit her job, especially since she needs the money?
“All right, thanks.”
I exit Azul’s and get back in my car. I figured stopping by her work was a little better than showing up at her place, but since I don’t have her phone number, she’s leaving me no choice.
I pull up to her complex and walk inside. The building has ten floors and each floor houses over twenty apartments. After asking several people passing by if they know Camilla Hutchinson, I quickly realize I’m not going to find her here unless I get lucky and catch her coming or going. This woman has me in knots and I need to find her so we can talk. After I ask a few more people, I head home and call my friend Lance. He’s a PI and can find anything out about anyone. He tells me to give him twenty-four hours, and I thank him. Hopefully by this time tomorrow I’ll be with Camilla, apologizing for the way I handled shit.