Isabelle smiles at my sister before standing and extending a hand out to me. Jesus, I feel like a giant compared to her. There’s easily over a foot between us.
“It’s nice to finally meet you in person, Gage.”
I nod and take her hand, noticing how soft and delicate it looks when it’s swallowed by my calloused and tattooed one.
“You too.”
“Are you nervous, Iz?” Beth asks. “This is your first big pitch meeting, right?”
Isabelle looks over at Beth. “I’ve done plenty of meetings with important people, but this is the High Rollers. I’ve heard stories about them. They seem… intimidating.”
“Don’t let them sense your fear, and you’ll be fine. Romeo is probably the easiest one to win over. He’s got a one-track mind if he’s in the same room as a woman.” Beth rolls her eyes.
“I have complete faith in you, Iz,” Caleb says before taking a sip from his travel mug.
“We’re ready for you now,” the flight attendant says. Beth stands and slings her bag back over her shoulder. Caleb stands, gesturing for our sister to go first, before his eyes find mine, or more accurately, where I’m still holding Isabelle’s hand.
“Shit. Sorry.” I snatch my hand back, shoving it in my pocket.
“It’s okay.” She giggles, and the sound sends goose bumps prickling up my arm.I gotta get out of here.
I hurry past Caleb and grab the handle of Beth’s suitcase as I step out the door.
I hear Caleb stop and talk to the pilot before we head up the staircase to our private plane. Beth is halfway up already, and when I look over my shoulder and see Isabelle not far behind, I stand aside, letting her go ahead of me.
She only makes it a few steps up before I notice the way she’s struggling with her bag. Carrying it awkwardly in front of her, and bashing her knees with every step before throwing the duffle bagover her shoulder. She huffs a curl from where it’s fallen in front of her face.
Before I can even think it through, I’m walking over to her and gently laying a hand on her shoulder to stop her. She freezes, head whipping around to look at me. Those pretty eyes make the pit of my stomach feel like I’m falling. I shake off the feeling as I loop my fingers under the strap and pull it from her hold, slinging it over my own shoulder.
“Thank you.” She smiles, and it pulls slightly higher on one side, revealing a dimple. My hand clenches over the strap of her bag as I offer a nod.
She turns and heads upstairs, disappearing into the plane, and the weight on my chest releases, allowing my breath to return. The smell of orange and roses wraps around me as her perfume lingers in the air.
With a shake of my head, I make my way on board, stowing my bag, Beth’s suitcase and Isabelle’s duffle in the luggage closet. By the time I make it down to the other end of the plane, where the seats are, Beth and Caleb are sitting in the single chairs, facing each other. Caleb’s head rests in one hand while Beth rambles. On the other side is another set of single seats facing each other. Isabelle is tucked into one, with a book on her lap as she watches my siblings with a soft smile.
I could sit in the next section, but that would be an arsehole thing to do in the most obvious way. My skin feels tight, like flames are scorching the surface as I step closer and drop into the seat opposite Isabelle.
I can’t take my eyes off her. She looks so content. So perfectly uncomplicated. Wonder what that must feel like. To not be plagued by your mistakes. Your guilt. It’s been ten years of fighting, clawing back at the demons that consume me, drowning out the thoughts of helplessness.
I close my eyes and breathe in for five.
One.It wasn’t my fault.
Two.It was an accident.
Three.I did the best I could.
Four.I can’t change the past.
Five.Focus on what I can control.
I breathe out and open my eyes, only to find cornflower blue ones staring at me. I definitely can’t control the way my heart skips at her attention.
I throw one leg over the other, turning my head to watch my siblings instead.
“How long will the meeting go for, do you think?” Beth asks. “Will I have time to have a decent meal beforehand? What time are we meant to land again?”
“Jesus, Beth!” Caleb shouts, the lid of his patience finally bursting, and we all freeze in surprise. My brother almost never loses his cool.
