All Chapters of CRAVING ISABELLA: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

ISABELLAI let Chase steer us toward the coffee shop, mostly because I really, really don't feel like standing in the middle of the quad having a territorial pissing contest with Derek before my second class of the day.But I don't like the way my stomach knots. The campus café is already packed... like, shoulder-to-shoulder, textbook-toting freshmen everywhere. Ugh. But I gotta admit, I love the smell in here. It’s just like Leo's diner. That sweet, thick, comforting mix of fresh espresso and slightly burnt pastries. "You're staring," Derek grumbles, nudging my back with his shoulder. "Move." He says it like I’m an inanimate object in his way, pivoting and walking in front of me, his eyes glued to his phone screen. Probably texting some girl.Beside me, Chase just shakes his head, an apologetic grimace on his face. "Sorry, Bella. He's...""Rude. And a dick." I cut him off, putting on a little smile... the one I use when I’m trying to convince myself I’m not bothered. "It's fine, ho

ISABELLA"So you just let him hit Hardin," Chloe places both her hands on her waist, squaring up to me. She’s giving me that look... the one that says she’s already judged me, found me guilty, and we both know this conversation will not end lightly.I gingerly touch the bridge of my nose, wincing at the throb. "I don't understand? What was I supposed to do? Hardin hit me."Chloe isn't even perturbed at the mention of my injury. She just nods, pacing in a small circle in the empty cafe. "According to what you said, he was aiming for Giovanni. He didn't do it on purpose."I stare at her, my jaw dropping. "So?" "Bella, the point is... You let someone hurt your boyfriend. It doesn't matter what he does. We both know that Hardin is not violent. We know that he's perfect for you. He's a sweet, gentle guy who can't hurt a fly. He's your one true love,""One true love? This is reality, Chloe." I gesture vaguely at my face. "In reality, my face hurts and my boyfriend is acting like a psycho."

ISABELLA Of course, I've come to realize that Noah and I... we aren't meant to be friends or buddies or whatever... That hope is dead. We are just enemies. Total enemies.How dare he? Just because I'm smiling and letting him off the hook doesn't mean I'm stupid. "Feel better?" He asks, his tongue poking against the inside of his cheek, where his teeth must have grazed the skin, his eyes dark."You are such an ass!" I scream. I reach for my phone, but he holds it high above his head, using his height advantage to keep it out of my reach. I'm jumping, clawing at his arm, but it's useless. "Give it back! Do you have any idea what you just did? He's going to think... he's going to think exactly what you want him to think!""Good," Noah snaps, finally dropping his hand. "Maybe if he thinks I'm balls... deep in his girlfriend, he'll actually show up here and try to be a man once instead of whimpering over the phone.""This is not your life, Noah! It's mine!" I lung for the phone again, bu

NOAHFive fucking minutes. That's how long Minnie stares at me, blinking those thick lashes of hers, like she doesn't understand what I've just said. It's like she's oblivious to the fact that her skin is pressed to mine, and she's a girl and I'm a guy. A red-blooded male with a cock and feral desires.She's gorgeous like this. Clueless. Confused. Her lips part, and she starts chuckling, shifting farther away from me and tucking a few strands of her hair behind her ears. "That was a very funny joke." She says, scrambling around and grabbing the water and towel. "You're okay now. That kiss... it never happened. I'm gonna go, okay?" "Min..." She doesn't let me complete my sentence before she runs out. I let my head drop to my chest, smiling softly at how cute she was just seconds ago. I touch my lips, my head reeling back just to recall the fleeting moment when her lips met mine. I'm okay. I went through an episode and I'm okay. I mean... It's never happened like that before. It's

ISABELLA"It's fine. I understand." I let out a sigh and manage a fake smile that doesn't even reach my eyes. My stomach is doing backflips, but I keep my voice level. "You're probably right. I'm overreacting." I tell Chloe."Bella..." she reaches for me but I don't let her. I step back just an inch."It's fine. You're my best friend and you are always right. I get it. You want the best for me and you'll do whatever it takes to make me understand."Chloe pauses, her hand dropping to her side. She raises a brow, searching my face for the sarcasm she knows is buried there. "And the day I stop doing that..." Her voice trails off.I sigh. "Is the day we stop being best friends." I finish."So you understand why I'm extra cautious, right? It's not that I hate Noah or anything. He's cool. I just don't want him for you. He's wrong for you."If I keep listening to any of her lectures, I might actually get a headache... the kind that throbs behind my eyes for hours. So I nod and smile, eager t