“I was just coming to get my shoes.” I throw back my shoulders and retrieve them from thefloor.
“Let me take your picture,” Lucia says after I’ve finished winding the last strap around my ankle. She takes her phone from her purse and points it atus.
“Say cheese!” Claireyells.
We smile while Lucia takes what feels like fiftypictures.
We’re facing each other, a pose Lucia has carefully placed us in. “So, you no longer believe pictures steal a piece of your soul?” I ask Isaac under mybreath.
His face is just inches from mine when he whispers, “Something else has already stolen mysoul.”
I don’t have words. Just one giant, audiblegulp.
“Thief,” he whispers into myear.
“I want a picture with Mommy and Daddy too!” Claire shimmies in between us before I canrespond.
Faintly I hear Lucia saycheese.I’m supposed to be smiling at the camera, but I’m not. I’m staring at Isaac. I watch him smile at Lucia, then laugh with our daughter, and I wonder at what point this all went from hours tomore.
* * *
Ithinkit’s time for TheTalk.
But, considering we shared an Uber with Isaac’s friend and his wife, there hasn’t been a private moment yet. And another private moment definitely won’t be found at thisplace.
We’re forty-five minutes from home in the ballroom of a resort. It’s beautiful, I suppose. Gold metal-backed chairs, large flowery centerpieces, a shiny wood dance floor in front of an impressive stage. Too bad I can’t appreciate it. I’m distracted by the words Ialmostheard.
I’m here. She has me.We’re…
Isaac reaches for me. His hand is warm and soft, and suddenly I want to press my cheek againstit.
I gaze at him, wondering if he’s on the same wavelength. Maybe it’s possible. Last week we both made Claire’s lunch for the next day, not realizing the other had already done it. And we’d made the exact same thing. More and more, every day, we’re falling intosync.
Except for right now. At this exact moment, Isaac lets go of my hip. He’s talking to someone from somewhere, I honestly don’t remember, even though he introduced us no less than three minutes ago. I also don’t remember the name of someone from somewhere’s wife, who’s still telling me about how she plans nutritious and healthy meals that are alsoso easyto make. She keeps sayingso easy.I can’t help but tune out. Normally I’m a very good listener, but this is proving too much for me. I nod my head again. I hope I at leastlookinterested.
Beside me, Isaac is completely immersed in his conversation. He’s motioning with his hands, as though he’s using tools, and I assume they’re talking about work. I strain to pick up on a few words of theirconversation.
“…if you don’t take it I will,” Dr. Someonesays.
The band starts playing louder, and I don’t hear Isaac’s response. But what I do catch is his look. His eyes dart my way. I smile and rest my hand on his lowerback.
“Would you mind if I stole Isaac for a dance?” Iask.
“Go right ahead,” Dr. Someone says. He motions to the dancefloor.
“Thanks, Craig.” Isaac says. “We can pick up that discussion later, if youlike.”
“I’d like to. I need to knowwhy—”
“Come on, Aubrey.” Isaac tugs on my hand and sends an apologetic smile over myhead.
Dr. Someone and his wife wave. They both lookbewildered.
“What was that about?” I ask, but Isaac either doesn’t hear me or doesn’t want to answer. We reach the dance floor, and he pulls me in, curling me into his body. It takes a lot of control on my part not to bury my face into his suit jacket. Getting even closer to him might be worth smudging mymakeup.
“Sorry about that,” Isaac murmurs into my hair. “It didn’t look like you were enjoying Craig’s wife verymuch.”
I wince. Now I feel bad. I guess I’m not very good atfaking.
