“I love it, Isabella. So much.”
I smiled, and when he finally released me, I teased him.
“There is one condition, though.”
“Oh?”
“Once you meet some amazing woman that you do have a spark with, she has to make you her own board. She can’t share mine.”
Liam rolled his eyes and pulled me back into his arms.
“Don’t give up on us just yet, Bella.”
“Liam…”
“Promise me!”
He pulled me back to look into my eyes. I realized, as hopeless as it seemed, I wasn’t ready to give up on us yet. So, even though I knew a new heartbreak was in my future, I whispered, “Prometto.”
Chapter 25
Week11–Saturday
Liam
The week after the Halloween party, I barely saw Isabella. She wasn’t avoiding me or anything, but her whole neighborhood was preparing for the festival tonight, so she had to work extra shifts at the restaurant. We still had lunch together and I drove her to school every day. I missed her on the nights, though. But today, we had a very busy day.
“Are you sure everyone will be dressed like this?”
Isabella was pulling at the tennis skirt I forced her to wear. I couldn’t help but smile. Her legs looked fantastic in it. I had forced her into a polo shirt too, and a visor to keep the sun out of her pretty eyes.
“Yes. Now stop fidgeting.”
We hadn’t been focusing much on our assignment, but my brother had told me he was in town today and made arrangements to go to the club to play pairs. I let the valet take the car and escorted Isabella inside. She was looking around, amazed, but before she could think about how much it cost to be a member here, I headed her toward the tennis courts.
“Richard!”
I greeted my brother, and he smiled over at me. We didn’t have the greatest relationship, but I was trying to improve it. One of the items on my list of things to make amends for. As I was introducing my brother to Isabella, his girlfriend approached.
“Oh, I didn’t realize….”
Alison’s words trailed off as I noticed Cassidy. This was the last thing I needed today. I can’t believe I had forgotten that Cassidy and Alison were friends.
I whispered, “What is she doing here?”
“Well, when you said doubles, I just assumed…”
Cassidy looked to Isabella.
“What is she doing here?”
Isabella smiled.
“Looks like there was just some confusion about Liam’s doubles partner. Maybe we can take turns? I hate to think you came all this way for nothing.”
Alison looked relieved at the suggestion, but I had no desire to spend the afternoon with Cassidy. Pulling out my phone, I sent a text and nodded.
“No need to partner swap. Luckily, I found a partner for Cassidy. Why don’t we all warm up? We can just have the extra couple play winners.”
