“What are you looking for on the recording?” said Isaac as he sat down.
“Why aren’t you with that girl?” said Vince without looking up. “You’re always together.”
That girl?What the hell?
“We’re in her home country. She had a few errands,” said Isaac. What was with Vince? He hadn’t even wished Isaac a Happy Birthday. They were adults and didn’t make a big deal about their birthdays, but they’d always been acknowledged.
Vince raised his eyebrows. “If you can’t find her, ask Spencer. He might know where she is.”
“Why Spencer?” said Isaac. Anna barely knew him, and she didn’t like the loud-mouthed Australian.
“I don’t really have time to chat.” Vince’s eyes remained intent on the screen.
What pressing knowledge his brother thought to learn from that race now was a mystery. Maybe he was watching this one because his race had been flawless. Isaac stood up. “I’ll see you later then.”
Isaac returned to the track and watched the Moto3 race on his own, although he didn’t pay attention to much of it as his mind was distracted. He hoped everything was okay with Anna.
Texas was the first time Anna was back on American soil since she’d gone to Europe. He’d interrupted a phone call yesterday that sounded like she was meeting up with someone. Perhaps she had unfinished business or family to visit. He hoped she would tell him what was going on when she returned. Herespected her independence, but if there was a problem, he wanted to be there for her. If she was meeting family or someone important, wasn’t he worth including? His questions gnawed at him. He and Anna weren’t casual, and he continued to be slightly hurt for being left in the dark.
There was nothing wrong with Anna leaving on her own or even keeping something private. She was entitled to her own life, for as much as they’d shared lately, they were still new. He considered her as his girlfriend, but they hadn’t discussed their status beyond being together. There was a lot they still didn’t know about each other. Including birthdays, obviously.
Maybe Vince had a point about distraction. This ridiculous worry was a distraction, but not Anna herself. Isaac couldn’t get settled and fought the urge to check in with her and make sure everything was okay. As promised, she returned in time to hold the Row 2 sign for the Moto2 race, but they didn’t have a chance to talk, and Isaac couldn’t settle into race mode.
He felt like a fool, but he texted Anna.“I’m in my trailer. Can you spare a few minutes to chat before the race?”He sighed in relief when the dots appeared to show her typing.
“Be right there.”
Two minutes later, she knocked and entered. Once more, she wore her sleeveless shirt and race day skirt and looked delicious.
“You’re wondering where I went this morning.” She cut right to the chase. “Since I didn’t tell you anything, and just left.”
“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want, but I wanted to make sure you’re okay.” He searched her face for signs of distress.
“I hired a lawyer.” Her gaze dropped to the floor. “I called her office last week and set up the appointment for this morning. Today I met with her in person.”
“Do you have a divorce to arrange?” Isaac hadn’t considered that possibility.
She shook her head. “I’ve never been married. I have a property to sell, and I was worried that my ex-boyfriend would try to take a share. As far as I know, he’s still living in my townhouse. According to my new lawyer, common-law marriage is not recognized in Washington state. The townhouse is in my name, and I’m the one who paid the deposit, and makes the mortgage payments. The lawyer is arranging written notice that the property is being sold and will make all the arrangements. That way, I don’t have to talk to Adam.”
“Adam.” The name felt as wrong on his tongue as when she’d said it. “Did he hurt you? Is he the one that belittled you and made you uncomfortable all the time?” His angry words tumbled out.
“He didn’t hit me. He just treated me as less than him, and I see now that he took advantage of me financially. The lawyer will tie up the loose ends, so I don’t have to.”
“Have you heard from him since you left?” Isaac hadn’t seen her messaging anyone except Catarina. He hadn’t expected her past to spring up. Nor had he expected the brief zing of jealousy.
“Not since the day I quit my job, when I found him in bed with one of his grad students,” said Anna. “I drove to the airport and left for Barcelona that night. I blocked his calls when I arrived.”
“So, you only just broke up with him?” Isaac swallowed. Was he just her rebound guy? He wanted to be more than temporary.
“It’s become clear that Adam and I were never close. It should have been over a long time ago.” Anna tracked Isaac’s movements as he paced the narrow corridor in his trailer. He could feel her gaze. “Come here,” she said, stretching out a hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what was going on. I’m just trying to close that chapter of my life. It has nothing to do with us.”
He stopped in front of her. She didn’t owe him anything, not even the apology. He opened his mouth to apologize for being upset about her errand.
“Isaac, I know it’s way too soon to say certain things.” She fumbled for words and took his hand, lacing her fingers between his. “I want to be clear. What Adam and I had is over. I didn’t talk about it because it wasn’t important. I have no lingering feelings, and I’m not even angry about him cheating. We weren’t close, and I don’t miss him.” She sucked in her breath and looked him right in the eye. “I’m falling in love with you. I hope that’s okay and doesn’t scare you.”
Her bare honesty left him shaken. She’d taken his thoughts and distilled them into something more potent. “You amaze me,” Isaac said, wrapping his arms around her with a squeeze. “I’m falling for you too.” He lifted her chin. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Her forthright gaze met his. “I don’t have a proper job or a home, but I enjoy spending time with you. I decided to deal with my past. I didn’t want you to be part of my entanglement.” Her eyes pleaded with him to understand.
