“You know what's best.” His frown turns to asmile.
Since our first date last weekend, we’ve spent four more hours together. Each hour amazing, each hour fulfilling, each hour giving me so much more than I deserve. I wish I could say all this, but thinking the words and actually releasing them are two differentthings.
“Did my dad call you back yet?” I ask, searching through my purse for mylipstick.
“He’s meeting us forlunch.”
“Technically it’s brunch.” I raise an eyebrow while I apply thelipstick.
He gives me a look. “Do you think your dad goes tobrunch?”
“Hah. Goodcall.”
Isaac fingers the hem of my skirt. It’s modest, falling just above theknee.
“I like this onyou.”
“Are you about to tell me you’d like it better on thefloor?”
“Hmm maybe.” His hand slips under my skirt, fingers blazing a trail up mythigh.
“Isaac.” My voice is a warning. I cross my legs. Accessdenied.
“I know, I know,” he sighs. His fingers retrace their steps, appearing out from under my skirt. I uncross my legs and stand normallyagain.
“You need to get your game face on.” I can hear Claire coming from her room, and Isaac still has his hooded gaze onme.
He rubs his eyes and blinks twice. “I’m back,” he says, bouncing his shoulders a fewtimes.
Claire walks in and rests her arms over the back of the couch, her pink cast standing out against the fabric. I double check my skirt, just to be sure. We spend a few minutes saying goodbye, and Isaac reminds me how to get where I’mgoing.
I don’t need the directions, but it’s Isaac’s nature. He’s acaretaker.
“Good luck with my dad,” I say, walking out with Claire intow.
“Good luck with my mom and Lauren. They’re a little at odds right now.” Isaac frowns as he says it. “I wouldn’t advise asking them about iteither.”
“Thanks for the heads up,” I say just as the door swingsshut.
I’m happy to stay far away from whatever is going on with Lucia and Lauren. I don’t want anything to do with any mother-daughterdissension.
Claire holds my hand and attempts to skip all the way to the car, and I try to keep up, without twisting myankle.
* * *
Lucia is waitingfor us at the fountain near the entrance. When she sees us, she rushesforward.
“You both look lovely. I’m so glad you decided to come.” Her hat bumps my forehead when we hug. She bends down so she’s on Claire’slevel.
“Look at that prettydress.”
Claire nods with happiness and runs a hand down her stomach. She hasn’t stopped touching the soft fabric since I put it onher.
Lucia straightens. “Lauren should be here any minute.” She checks the gold watch on her wrist. “She’s always late. Operates on Lauren Standard Time.” There’s annoyance in hervoice.
We wait a few more minutes before Lucia decides she’s donewaiting.
“Come on. Lauren can join us when she arrives.” She leads us away. “No use missing out on fresh mimosas!” She links an arm throughmine.
