Chapter 1

I stand on the train, staring at the one work email I have been dreading, THE email, the email that is alerting me that I am not to return to work.  I have been fired, for one simple mistake.  I am starting to zone out, when I feel my phone vibrate continuously, it is my brother Joseph the assistant manager. 

I decline his call, not wanting to talk, when he calls me again. I answer the phone, irritation painted in my tone. “What?” I say into the phone.  Joseph sighs. “Bella, I fought for you as hard as I could, but your boss decided all those all-nighters you pulled at work needed to stop as well, so don’t get angry at me.” He says bluntly.

“Well, how am I supposed to help it, you are living the best life possible, you have a fiancé that is amazing, you have the job that I would kill for, and here I am, possibly having nowhere to live anymore, because my roommate and I are in a fight right now, and I am still paying off the house, but now I have no money coming into my account! I am single, I have no one to look after me, and please do not get me wrong, I can look after myself, but the point is, I am pissed right now, I am annoyed because I feel hopeless.” I say into the phone, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I get you are upset right now Isabella, okay, I get it.  You just need to realise that this is not the end of the world, this is a chance for you to finally live your life, you are a bright person who throws her personal life away.  If you really want someone to date, I have a friend who is tempted to go onto a dating website, I can set you guys up if you want, but really, get a life.” He says.  I scoff softly and roll my eyes. 

“I can find my own date thank you, and would you mind if I crashed at yours tonight?” I ask.  “My roomie is probably still pissed at me.”

“You are allowed to stay, if you go on this date.” He laughs.

I groan in frustration, and sigh.  “Fine, when am I going on this date.” I ask.

“We will see once you get here.” He says, I feel as if I can hear him smiling into the phone.

I pull the phone away from my ear and hang up.  I look at which station we are at and realise this is my stop.  I grab my purse and dash out of the door just before it closes.

I look around to find the ticket booth, and the lineup is long.  I am staring at the back of someone’s head.  He is talking loudly on the phone. “Joseph, I can find my own date, I am sure your sister is great and all, but I don’t see why she would want to go on a date with me.” I laugh and tap him on the shoulder gently.  He turns around and looks at me.

“Hey, I am sorry to bother you, but I heard you saying Joseph and date, is this Joseph by any chance trying to set you up with a Bella?” I ask curiously.

“Yeah, how do you-“  he stops in realisation. “Damn, your Bella, aren’t you?” He asks; however it is more like a statement.

I nod. “I am.  Nice to meet you, sorry what’s your name?” I ask.

“Nathaniel.” He says. “It is nice to meet you.  Dinner tonight?” He asks. I smile and nod.

“Most of Josephs friends are mean, but you are actually a decent person from what I can tell, and you are a lot hotter than them too.” I flirt but realise how much of a perv I sound like. “Sorry, it has been a while since I have been on a date.”

He gently wraps his arm around my shoulder and laughs. “Yeah, same here.” He chuckles.  I look up at him, he is tall, he has muscles, but not too much, he has black hair, and grey eyes.  He is really cute.

“Lets go.” He says, and guides me towards the exit of the station.

“What about our tickets.” I ask, giggling.

“I already paid on the app. For you and me.” He smiles.

I smile awkwardly. “oh, right, sorry, thank you.” I stutter.  He smile in bemusement, laughing. “What, it is not my fault that you can make people all flustered at your will.” I say, and cover my face in embarrassment.  He chuckles more, and I hear a faint snort.

“You are seriously already falling for me are you?” Nathaniel jokes.  I jab him gently in the ribs, and ignore that.  I start to walk, his arm is still around my shoulder.  I look up on the rare occasion, and I catch him staring.  I pull my red hoodie over my head gently, instinctively.