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.

My phone buzzed again in my purse. I dug it out and saw a missed call and a message from Max.

"We found a club down the block called Hamels! Come down and just tell the bouncer your name, he'll let you in. Xoxo - Max"

I remembered where I was supposed to be, and that my friends were probably wondering where I was. As much as I want to stand here and stare at my first love, I need to leave. "Well," I started. "It was nice running into you, Miles."

"Wait," he shouted, then ran his fingers through his messy hair, "would you be interested in catching up sometime?"

His offer caught me off guard, and I couldn't control the small smile that lifted my lips. "That would be nice."

He looked pleased. "Okay."

I hastily said goodbye before turning on my heel and walking down the block. My heart was about to give out. And before I turned the corner, I whirled my head back in his direction only to find him standing aimlessly in the same spot, watching me walk away.

I instantly turn around, taking in a deep breath because of the tears threatening to pour out of my eyes.

Learning to move on from Miles was difficult and took immense effort. Those countless nights I thought I was doing okay, but then would burst into tears at the mere sight of macaroons. I'm not sure if I can jump back in after getting my life together. 'I like how things are now,' I tell myself.

We loved each other, but some people come into your life for a reason, and when that reason is fulfilled, they leave. I thought Miles' reason was fulfilled.

"Maybe give him a chance?" Addy says wearily, unsure of what advice to give. "Only if you're comfortable enough, though."

I look up at her and shrug with an unsure chuckle. "I don't think I am."

She casts a sad smile. "Whatever is best for you."

Taking in a long breath, I pull myself together, wiping away the rouge tears strewn across my cheeks. I need to perk up, and I don't want to mope and ruin tonight. So, I let loose and have fun with my friends, because it's my birthday and I deserve it. A night full of carefree thinking with no work or drama.

We rejoin everyone in the club area, down a couple of shots, and then Max drags us to the dance floor. "Let's play a game!" he shouts over the music.

"Like what?" I shout back, swaying my overheating body.

He grins mischievously. "Find the hottest person and dance with them. Don't give real names unless you want to."

"Okay," I laugh, and so does Camila. We each look around for someone then ultimately split up, making sure we have a direct line of sight to each other. Of course, Addy and Jasper are not participating. They disappeared into the back of the club a couple of minutes ago in search of a coat closet, so they're quite occupied.

I look through the crowd until I find someone relatively attractive: a taller guy with black hair. I wipe my hand across my forehead to rid any sweat, take a deep breath, and then walk toward him. If there was any ounce of sobriety inside of me, I probably wouldn't be doing this. But I'm drunk enough that I'll probably forget, and that is all that matters.

"Hey," he shouts over the music, facing me. His white teeth glow against the neon lights, and I smile as he slips his hands around my waist. We sway back and forth until we have a good rhythm going. I throw my arms around his neck as his lips graze my ear. The warmth from his body makes me feel dizzy.

At least four songs pass before he speaks. "Do you want to get a drink?" he asks.

I nod enthusiastically, and he guides me toward the bar where we both sit down. "So, what is your name?" he asks and laughs since we have already been dancing intimately and didn't know each other's name.

I don't feel like telling him my real name, because I'm never going to see him again, so I come up with a fake one. "Alexis, what about you?" I lie, chugging water that I ordered when I sat down.

He smiles, and I twirl the shot he ordered for me full of tequila, careful not to spill any.

"I'm Jamie," he says, dumping his shot into his mouth "What made you come here?"

"Birthday." I point to myself, swallowing the tequila.

He grins. "Ahh, happy birthday then."

"Thank you." He orders another round for us. While we wait, I notice him slowly shifting closer. His hand snakes up my thigh, and his thumb gently strokes my bare skin. I turn my body to face him and slink my arms around his shoulders. Our faces are inches apart and I can smell the alcohol on his breath.

Our lips slam against one another, my hands glide through his hair whilst his hands roam my back. Moments later he pulls away panting and presses his forehead against mine. "Do you want to get out of here?"

"Mhm," I mumble against his lips. Oh boy, am I going to regret this.

Before leaving, I let Max know what's going on. He gives me a quick lesson on safe sex as if I don't already know and tells me to take him to our apartment instead of Jamie's.

And now Jamie and I are doing just that.

We enter my place with our clothes barely on. I slam the door behind us as he lifts me to straddle his waist. Our lips barely separate as he lowers me onto the couch in the living room. He unzips my dress, kissing down my collar bone. A moan slips from my mouth when his lips come in contact with my breast.

"You're a Beauty," he says, his breath tickling my skin. Beauty.

"Miles," I groan.

My body freezes, and so does Jamie's. Holy shit, I did not just moan—out of all the people—Miles' name. Miles. Miles Cunningham.

Jamie sits up, dumbfounded.

"Uh," I start to speak.

"Did you just moan another guy's name?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I say.

"You just called me Miles."

"Miles?" I scoff, "Who's Miles?"

He stares into my eyes and furrows his brows. Then he whispers sorry twice as he stumbles off of the couch, collecting his clothes as he goes. A moment later, the door clicks shut, and I sit half-naked with my mouth gaping open. He just ran out because I said another guy's name!

I wouldn't have done that if I didn't have alcohol in me. I think.

The apartment is dark, and the dim glow from the street trickles through the windows of the living room. It's eerily quiet. I check my phone that reads 1:27 in the morning and sighs, then drag my naked body into my bedroom, neglecting to wash off tonight's activities.

Addy and Max are going to have a field day making fun of me. I cannot believe I did that. I'm absolutely mortified, and it is stupid Miles' fault.

I let out an audible groan into my pillow, unable to wrack my head around the fact that I ran into him today. And he had the audacity to ask if I want to catch up. I'm finally doing okay. I've rid all of the memories and special moments we shared from my head, and now he's back.

Turning on my side, I close my eyes and will sleep to consume me so this day can be over.

✤

"You what?" Addy chokes on her orange juice the server just dropped off at our table.

I curse at her in a hushed voice to be quiet because I do not need all of Philly to hear what I did last night. "You heard me, and I'm not repeating," I add while Max laughs.

Max already had a play-by-play of what occurred last night. Around two in the morning, I was vigorously shaken awake by him because he wanted to know what happened in the bathroom.

So, I ended up telling him about my encounter with Miles, which hasn't yet slipped my mind; and that led to the reveal of me moaning his name. Of course, as I predicted, Max almost died of laughter.

Now the three of us are out at breakfast trying to cure our hangovers.

"You told him your name was Alexis?"

"Yeah, so if a brown-haired guy named Jamie ever comes by, tell him Alexis moved back to Pittsburgh, okay?" I laugh and he nods.

Our breakfast arrives at the table, and we dig in, filling our empty stomachs with overpriced pancakes. After an hour of friendly conversation and food, we decide to hit the road. Max and Addy have errands to run, and for once I don't.

It has been some time since I've had some time to myself, so I spent the afternoon straightening up the apartment and relaxing. And I could use all the rest I can get, especially after last night.

When I get home, I change into comfier clothes and turn on music. My stomach is queasy, but I dance the pain away with the sweeper in hand. After roughly an hour dusting every surface, hanging up loose clothes, and fluffing pillows, I settle down on the couch with a book.

Knock, knock, knock.

The doorbell goes off a moment later, causing me to grumble since I just sat down. I push myself off the couch, ambling to the door annoyedly and look through the peephole to see who's there, but find no one.

I raise my eyebrows in confusion and open the door.

The cold air rushes into the warm apartment, and I look around for whoever knocked on the door before noticing a bouquet of red roses sitting at my feet. Curiously, I kneel and pick up the vase, carrying it inside. I barely look at the flowers. Instead, I tear off the note attached to the side of the vase.

"Dear Isabella,

It was lovely seeing you last night. I hope you had a wonderful birthday. If you'd like, please contact me with the number at the bottom of the card if you want to go out for dinner sometime. I hope you consider it. I'd love to catch up. - Miles Cunningham."

"Oh God," I say aloud and stare at the bouquet aimlessly.

Miles Cunningham, what am I going to do with you?

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