“I'm inclined to agree." He leans all the way over, wraps his arms around my waist, and drags me until I'm at the edge of the bed and pressed up against him. “But we can changethat.”
My heartbeats sound loud in my ears. The moisture in my mouth has driedup.
“I was hoping we could add more hours, and then more hours, until they make a collection." His eyes shine with intensity. They're so close to mine that I could turn my head up just a little and stop him from saying more words I don't want to hear. “Aubrey, can I take you on a datetonight?"
I lean back, startled, and his fingers flex around my waist to hold me in place. "What?"
“Me. You. Date. You know, that thing we talked about doing years ago and then you walkedout?"
I wassupposedto walk out. That was our agreement. Technically, I mean. There was that second option. That thing he'd said about waiting until one hour was up to see if I wanted more from him. But he was headed out of the country and I was nursing a broken heart. What he’d said that night… Those were just empty words, weren'tthey?
What if theyweren't?
Isaac deserves an explanation. “I didn’t leave because I didn’t like you.” No, that wasn’t the problem at all. “I left because… because…” How do I put the feeling into words? How can I explain how badly I needed to protect myheart?
“Shhh.” Isaac leans his forehead to rest against mine. “You don’t have to say anything more,” he whispers. “Iunderstand.”
But how could he? How can this man with a flawless, intact familyunderstand?
“OK,” I whisper into the inches separating ourlips.
“OKwhat?”
“OK I’ll go on a date with youtonight.”
Isaac pulls back, beaming. I wince, but only on the inside. I don’t want him to think it’s abouthim.
“You’re going to have a good time. I promise.” He squeezes his arms, still wrapped around mywaist.
I don’t doubt I’ll have a good time. Not onebit.
And that’s part of theproblem.
* * *
Lucia’s tryingto keep her excitement from leaking out, but she’s failing miserably. While she talks, she holds onto myarm.
“I was supposed to go to dinner with some women I know, but I cancelled. This is more important.” Her eyes glimmer. “Do you know where he’s takingyou?”
“I didn’t ask.” My stomach has been tied up in knots since I agreed to go, and I think knowing our destination would only make me morenervous.
Lucia releases me and reaches for Claire. She pats her knee and Claire asks, “What are we going to do tonight while mommy and daddy aregone?”
“I’m going to keep you busier than a one-armed paperhanger.”
I laugh, and Lucia looks proud of her joke. I don't tell her I'm not just laughing at her joke, I'm also laughing because my dad said the same thing soon after we arrived home from the hospital following Claire'saccident.
Claire asks Lucia what’s a one-armed paper hanger, a question I saw coming a mile away. While they talk, I go to the kitchen and start a pot of boiling water for Claire’sdinner.
Isaac walks in and pulls open the fridge. “Got any plans tonight?” He pulls away with a water bottle and drinks it with his eyes onme.
I tap my chin and pretend to think. “This guy asked me on a date, but… I don’tknow.”
“Not excited, huh?” He’ssmiling.
“I’m just kind of”—I shrug—“meh aboutit.”
Isaac reaches past me to toss his bottle in the trash. His torso brushes myarm.
