Izzy snorts, her tone dry. “Yeah. Too bad she was expecting my future husband.”
I cock a brow, amused. “Oh?”
Alice giggles. “Valerie’s quite the Nathan fan, it turns out.”
“She showed up in a mini dress and stilettos,” Isabel adds, slicing an onion a little too aggressively. “Clearly dressed for a ‘first date’ and not an unpacking party.”
I throw my head back laughing. “Jealous, sweetheart?”
“I’d call it territorial.” She raises her chin, daring me to tease her more.
God, I love her.
“I’m going to take a shower,” I say, pressing a kiss to her lips. “Alice, stay for dinner. I’ll take you home after.”
“Maybe next time,” Alice says as her phone pings. “Uber’s here.” She grabs her bag and waves.
“Think about what I asked.”
“I will,” Alice promises, hugging her.
When the door closes, I step closer and brush the flour from her cheek. “What did you ask her?”
“To come work for us,” she says, her eyes bright. “As our house manager.”
“That would be perfect. My parents already have a palace full of people. I’d rather have someone who knows us.”
She studies me quietly.
I kiss her again, soft and slow. I don’t care that I’m sweaty from the day. I don’t care about anything except this moment, her lips, her heartbeat against mine.
“I’m gonna shower,” I whisper against her mouth.
She nods. “Okay.”
But she kisses me again before I pull away. No hesitation. No performance. Just something natural. Like she wants to.
And yet… part of me still wonders.
Is it a habit?
Or something deeper?
I don’t ask.
Not yet.
But I will.
Because I’m falling for her—and it’s time she knows.
Chapter 13
Isabel
I feel nervous.
It creeps up my spine like a cold shiver I wasn’t expecting. I’m never nervous around Nate—he’s always been my safe place, even when he wasn’t trying to be. But now… now everything has shifted. There’s a weight pressing on my chest, not heavy with dread, but full with something I’ve tried to ignore.
