Falling Perfectly

Chapter 1 | Miles

Disclaimer: This novel Falling Perfectly is the second novel in the 'Falling Series'! You can find the first novel Falling Helplessly on my profile, enjoy! 

1

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ISABELLA

I take a deep breath as I perch myself on the bathroom counter. Attempting to fix my appearance, I grab a paper towel and wipe away the smudged mascara under my eyes. But the paper towel only makes it worse as the course material rubs against my skin like sandpaper.

"Are you okay?" Addy asks.

When I walked through the bar's doors and stormed toward my two friends, they knew I was most not okay. Most likely from my facial expression. But one glance toward me and Camila's arm was looped around my shoulders and Addy was guiding us straight into the bathroom knowing I needed to talk. Max wanted to come with us, but I told him to stay with Jasper and that I would fill him in later.

I think they were as shocked as me to hear that I ran into Miles.

"Was it like the moment in The Notebook when Noah and Allie meet again after a couple of years?" Addy asks.

I snort, albeit being a complete mess. "What is up with you and The Notebook?"

"Ryan Gosling brings me joy," she says, and I release a curt laugh.

"What did he say to you?" Camila questions, hopping up on the counter beside me.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, recalling the moment I turned around and saw him—

My purse vibrated against my hip from my ringing phone, but I didn't budge. I didn't even blink. My heart was thumping against my chest like a hammer on cloth; silent, but most definitely palpable. All because Miles was standing in front of me with his hand on my cheek.

I realized it had been almost two years since I've seen him, and that thought hit me like a ton of bricks. My knees locked to avoid buckling.

He looked different, in a good way. The stubble on his chin made him look mature, certainly old enough to run a company. But his dimples—those to-die-for dimples I have always loved—decorated his cheeks like they did the day we met and made my heart swell. It took all of my willpower not to get lost in them.

"Hey, Darlin'." His voice was soft.

"Miles." I nodded, trying to keep my emotions in check. "It's nice seeing you."

He looked taken aback by my curt reply, and it caused him to withdraw his hand. A cold winter breeze blew across my bare cheek as he shoved his hands in his coat pockets. Once again, I felt empty.

"It's nice seeing you too, you look great by the way." A small smile played on the corner of his lips. "Black was always your color."

My heart twisted.

"I could say the same," I said, observing his very expensive-looking suit. It clung to him in all the right places, and I knew it was tailored specifically for his body. My mind wandered, and I thought about what he looked like underneath, then shook the thoughts from my head faster than a bullet speeding from a gun barrel.

A moment passed of us staring before he said, "Happy birthday, by the way."

"Thank you," I smiled faintly, and pulled my coat tighter to protect my body from the biting wind. I'm surprised he remembered it was my birthday.