“Most definitely.”
He beams down at me, and I beam right back. Allowing the comfort of his company and my home to rid myself of any past emotions, to let go and allow myself one moment of peace.
I think I owe myself that at least.
After spendingthe entire day with Isaac, I come home feeling refreshed.
We no longer spoke about past feelings or insecurities, we changed the conversation to university, jobs, our futures, what will make us happy.
A conversation like that is worth more to me than anything else.
Although I know deep down in my heart I don’t like Isaac like that. A part of me wishes I did because he would treat me like a queen. But that spark of fire and longing isn’t there, and I don’t think I could ever see him as anything more than a friend.
When I walk through the front door at five o’clock, I find Finn and JJ sitting at the kitchen counter with bowls of noodles. I catch my brother’s gaze, and he smiles at my entrance.
“Hey,” he calls out.
“Hey.”
JJ rips his eyes away from the bowl in front of him, as if he was lost in thought and didn’t even hear me walk through the door. His gaze flicks to mine within a second. I try to ignore the way he looks at me, like I’m the only person on this goddamn Earth to exist.
That look must be a fragment of my imagination. Surely.
“Where have you been?” Finn asks curiously before stuffing his face with noodles.
I drop my bag on the floor and shut the door behind me. My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I edge closer to the counter, JJ’s eyes still burning a hole in my face.
“With Isaac,” I say truthfully.
Finn hums in response. “Isaac’s a nice guy,” he says as I plate myself up and sit beside my brother. “I approve.”
I stupidly meet JJ’s stare, noticing his hand that’s latched around his fork becoming deathly tight. His knuckles begin to turn white.
JJ’s jaw tenses, and I swallow down nothing but shakiness
I can’t, for whatever reason, take my eyes off him. Finn is too distracted in his own bubble to realise that we’re having a silent standoff.
I finally drag my gaze away from his and take my fork with a wobbly hand. “How was your day?” I ask Finn calmly.
“Fine. Work is long, but I like the money, so I can’t complain,” he mumbles through a mouthful of food.
I grimace at the sound and the visual. “Close your mouth, you animal.”
“Make me.” He narrows his eyes towards me, and I shoot him a glare back.
“Gross.”
He slinks an arm around my shoulder, weighing me down. Then he rubs his knuckles against the top of my head like we’re ten years old again, and I squirm in his grip. “You’re so annoying,” I grumble.
Finn chuckles. “I know, but you love me.”
CHAPTER 23
JJ WOODFORD
Ivy was with Isaacallday.
After our kiss.
