Chapter 3 Unspoken Invitations

Izzy crossed her arms and glared at David. The city buzzed around them, but to her, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

"Fate?" she said, her voice dripping with doubt. "You don't seem like someone who leaves it all to chance."

David moved a bit closer. "Maybe not. But what about you? Do you believe in coincidences?"

Izzy's heart raced, and she took a step back. "I care about boundaries. And you're too close for comfort."

He laughed, a low sound that sent a chill down her spine. "You didn't mind last night."

"That was different," she shot back, annoyed how easily he got under her skin. "And if you think you can just-"

"Relax, Izzy," he interrupted. "I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable. Just wanted to say hi."

"Mission accomplished," she said coolly, even though her cheeks were slightly flushed.

David studied her, his eyes sharp. "You're not used to being off balance, are you?"

"Is that what you think this is?" she challenged, raising her chin. "A power move?"

He smiled, but there was something off about it. "Not really. I'm just curious about you."

"Curiosity killed the cat," she joked, trying to hide her tension.

"But satisfaction brought it back," he shot back, glancing at her lips before meeting her eyes again.

A heavy silence filled the space between them, packed with unsaid feelings. Izzy hated how her heart raced. She didn't know this guy, but he made her feel both exposed and alive.

"Well, if you're done being curious, I have to go," she said, trying to sound calm.

"Sure," David said, stepping aside with a flourish. "I wouldn't want to hold you up."

As she walked away, she felt his gaze on her back, almost like a brand. She told herself not to look back, but when she reached the corner, she couldn't help it.

He was still there, leaning against the lamppost, watching her with that annoying mix of amusement and intrigue. This time, he tipped an imaginary hat, smirking like he knew he was getting to her.

---

Later that evening, Izzy sat in her apartment, unable to shake off the memory of their encounter. She tried to focus on work, sip wine, and even binge-watch reality TV, but nothing worked. David's voice and smile kept creeping back into her mind.

Her phone buzzed, jolting her from her thoughts. She picked it up, hoping for anything to distract her. It was a text from Chloe.

Chloe: "Any mystery men send coffee your way today? ;)"

Izzy sighed, fighting the urge to toss her phone across the room. Instead, she typed a quick response, brushing off her friend's jokes. But as she laid her phone down, she couldn't help but wonder what David was up to right then.

Was he thinking about her too?

Across town, David sat in a dim bar, a whiskey in hand. His mind was far away, lost in thoughts of Izzy. There was something about her that made him want to know more.

His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. He looked at the screen. It was a message from an unknown number.

Unknown: "We need to talk. Don't forget who you are."

David's jaw tightened. His grip on the glass became tense. For a moment, darkness flashed across his face. Then he exhaled, set the phone down, and knocked back his drink.

Izzy turned off the lights and crawled under her covers, hoping sleep would take her away. But even in the dark, her mind wouldn't let go of David-his voice, his eyes, how he made everything feel shaky.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, David stared out at the night. His face was hard to read, filled with a mix of want and worry.