“A few people from school have started to get married and have kids, and that just hasn’t been on my radar. With Christy getting engaged, though, I’m wondering if she was right. Am I nota guy you settle down with? I don’t know if that bothers me or not, but I just can’t shake this feeling.”
“Mase, you would drop anything for your family and friends. You’re kind, you’re uplifting to be around, and you don’t judge people. I think if you wanted to be in a relationship, a woman would be lucky to have you.”
He nods and starts twisting the napkin tighter between his fingers.
“If it really bothers you, why don’t you start dating? Not just sleeping with people, but actually getting to know them. And not anyone like Christy, because she’s clearly not the kind of person who’s meant foryou. There is a person out there, if that’s what you want to find, though.”
He places the napkin on the bench, only now it’s somehow fashioned into a rose. “That’s not bad advice, brother.” He smiles and looks back over at Beth and Tenley’s direction. “Hey, isn’t that Isabelle?”
My pulse halts before it turns sluggish as I whip my head around. My chest pounds as I take in Isabelle sitting at the booth, throwing her head back in laughter. Her hair is tied up with a blue scarf. Thick pastel blue straps rest against her shoulders. I love the way she dresses. Everything is sweet and enchanting, exactly like her.
“Yes, it is,” I say absentmindedly, appreciating the view until some guy walks over to the booth and starts chatting to the girls. He’s leaning over the back of the seat, talking right into Isabelle’s ear.
“Dude, you look like someone just cut in front of you in line at Grumps-r-us.”
I look at Mason, then back at the table where Isabelle sits.
“I think the girls need their drinks topped up. Wait while I do up a round.”
Mason crosses his arms over the counter. “What are they drinking?”
I grab the bottle of pear vodka and three martini glasses. “French pear martini. Beth’s latest obsession.”
“Ooo, make me one.” Mason smiles as I pour some sugar on a dish, then coat each of the rims with lemon, raising an eyebrow at my brother. “Please,” he adds.
I grab a fourth glass, then mix up the ingredients for the cocktails. I slide two over to Mase and pick up the other two myself, along with a whiskey for Caleb.
As we make our way over to the table, I keep my eyes on Isabelle and the guystillleaning over and talking to her. She’s sitting right next to Caleb. Why hasn’t he assumed she’s there with him? Could be because my brother has his nose buried in his phone.
The guy looks nice enough, I guess. I’m sure Tenley is more his type, though. Even my sister. She’s great. I’d be more than happy to introduce them. Just move away from my… Isabelle.Damn it.This possessiveness I have over her keeps popping up, and I can’t understand why. It’s not just because she’s pretty. Fuck, she’s gorgeous. But I’ve met plenty of beautiful women over the years. There’s just something about Isabelle that feels likemine.
“Sup, ladies.” Mason grins, sliding into the booth beside Beth and Tenley, leaving Isabelle’s other side perfectly free for me.
“Sup? The nineties called, they want their catchphrase back.” Beth looks at our brother like some queen bee, totally unimpressed by his lack of cool.
The guy talking to Iz slowly stands up, taking me in. Trying to figure out my significance here. I don’t know myself, but I do know he’s not getting in my way.
I drop into the seat, then slide a martini over to Isabelle, my eyes on the guy the entire time. “Refill for you, Buttercup.”
That gets my brother’s attention. He manages to look up from his phone long enough to give me a perplexed look. His lashes blink rapidly, looking larger and even more unamused asthey’re magnified behind his glasses. I push his whiskey towards him, silently daring him to say anything.
“Thank you.” Isabelle’s sweet voice pulls my attention back, just in time to see a light blush coat her cheeks and just a hint of her dimples. The tension curling in my gut eases immediately.
“I didn’t realise you did table service, Henry,” Beth teases.
“Yeah. I didn’t realise you acknowledged our existence if we’re not sitting at the bar. Wonder what made you come all the way over here?” says Caleb.
I purse my lips at my sister, ignore my brother, then take a sip of the martini in front of me.
“Hey, I said I wanted one.” Mason pouts. I roll my eyes and push it towards him instead. He folds his arms over his chest. “You already drank that.”
“Just turn the glass around.”
Mason huffs, twists the glass around, then takes a sip from the side I didn’t touch. “Ooo, yummy.”
“It was nice talking to you, Isabelle,” says the guy who can’t take a hint. “Maybe I’ll see you on the dance floor later?” Seriously, dude. I’m right here.
Isabelle smiles politely at the guy and nods, the long chain earrings I’ve seen her wear a few times tinkling as she moves.
