“Yeah, he’s always been a mystery man. I mean, he had to be considering the circumstances of how he became involved in our lives, but I also sensed that he carried a heavy burden which weighed him down.”Astrid studied her. “Tonight, though, he seems different. Happier. Relaxed. I think that’s due to you.”
Marie looked over to where Isaac was chatting with Julian, Fox, Deal, Hound, and Jag, along with Ox, looking very much at home with the men. Growler was in the kitchen fixing up the food Astrid had organized, and had roped Irish and Angel in helping him.
The women were all seated together, and now that Astrid had asked her question, their attention was all on Marie, including Cass, and if anyone knew Isaac it was her.
“I’m glad you think he appears happier. I don’t really know him as well as you all do.” Her answer was diplomatic and didn’t give anything away. Isaac’s secrets were his to tell if he wanted to. She wasn’t going to tell them about the pain in his voice as he talked about all that he had to do while undercover. That was in the past and wasn’t relevant to the man they now knew.
“But you are getting to know him better. He keeps looking over this way, making sure you’re okay,” Teresa said, handing her toddler a cracker. “I’m guessing we probably have about another five minutes max, before he’s over here checking on you.”
“You’re just lucky Angelo is in the kitchen helping Callum, otherwise you know he would be hovering over you.” Astrid smirked at her friend.
The camaraderie between the women was plain to see, and considering all they’d gone through, their closeness was understandable. As the new girl, they’d welcomed her in as if she’d been friends with them for years and not a few hours.
“Face it, they’d all be hovering if they couldn’t see us.” Lilith crunched down on a carrot.
“You speak the truth,” Eveline said. “And we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“That’s the truth.” Astrid smiled as Growler came out and his first thing was to look in her direction.
Every single man in the yard, the ones who were paired up anyway, weren’t afraid to show their feelings. To let their partners know they were the most important person in their life.
Her ex had never looked at her the way Growler looked at Astrid. Or Julian with Lilith.
The way Isaac was watching you.
As much as she wanted to squash that hopeful voice in her mind, she couldn’t, because Isaac was always watching her. Every time she looked in his direction, their gazes connected, as if he knew the second she lifted her head.
“Yep, and we all look at our men the same way you’re looking at Isaac,” Cass said beside her.
“Yes.” What was the point in denying what she was feeling for the man? She was falling for him. To theoutside world it appeared to be too fast, but it wasn’t. The connection between her and Isaac formed that very first day in San Carlion. Intuitively she’d known at the time that he could mess with her equilibrium, it was why she’d pushed him away.
The fear that had caused her to run wasn’t anything to be scared of. Isaac had proven over and over that he was a good man and would do anything for her.
The other women were chatting about Astrid’s upcoming baby shower, and Marie picked up on the way Lilith’s hand strayed to her belly, she guessed some news would be coming soon.
Was it too late for her to have a child? Medically it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be easy and the risks would be higher due to her age, but it wasn’t impossible. Did Isaac want any children? He was a decade older than her, he may not want the burden of children. He hadn’t had the easiest of lives, perhaps he just wanted to enjoy living in the moment without any responsibilities.
Would she be alright with that? Would she be okay not having children?
They were questions that didn’t need to be answered right this second. She and Isaac hadn’t even had sex yet, there was still a lot of road to travel before the idea of children could be discussed.
Firmly pushing aside those thoughts, she focused on the here and now, and the fact that Cass was watching her intently. Marie smiled at the other woman. “I’m good.”
“Are you sure? You looked like you were having some serious thoughts.”
“I was, but I can’t do anything about them right this second, so no point stressing about it.” Marie took a sip of her drink before broaching a subject she wasn’t sure Cass would be glad she knew about, considering how new to the group she was. “Isaac told me about you and him.”
Cass nodded. “I’m glad. I know it still troubles him.”
“Does it still bother you? Knowing what you know now?” Marie was aware the other women had stopped talking and were watching her and Cass.
Did they know the whole story?
Of course they did, Isaac had touched each of those women’s lives. And considering the way they talked about him, they didn’t hold a grudge against what he’d done to them. If any of them should, it should be Teresa considering Isaac had shot her twice.
“That’s a complicated question, because I do wonder what my life would’ve been like had I not been kidnapped and ended up here. But I’ve also learned thatdwelling on the past isn’t conducive to living in the future. I’m never going to know how things may have turned out. I know my father loved me, but he was also a smart businessman, and I was a commodity that could’ve been used to his advantage. Would he have done anything with that? I don’t know.” She looked over to her husband who was making his way toward her, his eyes a vibrant green, and Marie’s breath caught at the intensity of the look between the two of them. “I have the best man in my life and the best friends. I’m where I’m supposed to be, and my life is how it’s supposed to be. Isaac played a big part in that and I can’t hate him for potentially saving me from a very different future.”
“Trust that things happen for a reason,” she murmured, recalling the message from the fortune cookie she’d gotten the first night at Isaac’s house.
