Her eyes narrow, but she looks pleased as she comes to a stop in front of me. I have to look quite a ways down to meet her eye. “February 15th,” she says. “You find out why it’s important and you might have a chance.”
It’s Isaac’s birthday.
I don’t say it aloud, but I remember the date from his driver’s license. I have a feeling Isaac doesn’t readily share it with others, based on Lumi’s comment.
It seems I’ve been given a test to earn it directly from Isaac himself.
I hold out my hand. Lumi’s grip is strong as we shake once. She turns with a flip of her hair, and Isaac stumbles into the room.
“Sorry,” he says quickly, his gaze holding suspiciously long on Lumi before he shoots me a wobbly smile.
“It’s no problem. You look great.”
And he does. But Isaac always looks like someone I wasn’t made to resist.
He huffs nervously before glaring at the other occupants of the room. “Don’t you all have better things to do?”
Camden pops another chip in his mouth.
Rolling his eyes, Isaac stomps my way and grabs hold of my hand. “Let’s go.”
“Sure. Nice to meet you all.”
Lumi waves her fingers, her voice light. “Have fun.”
Outside, I point to where my car is parked down the street. “That’s me.”
Isaac shoots me a tiny smile, seemingly surprised to find our hands still linked. He doesn’t pull free, though, not until we’re at the vehicle. I open his door, and Isaac shakes his head, looking bemused.
“Have a good day?” I ask as we buckle in.
“Sure. Fine.”
Isaac startles when I touch his chin, pulling his focus my way. “Why are you nervous?”
He puffs out a breath. “I’m not. I just…”
“It’s only me,” I remind him, kissing one corner of his mouth and then the other. Isaac chases me when I pull back, and I chuckle, sliding my hand behind his neck as I kiss him square on the mouth.
His lips are soft, opening for me in a way I find wildly addictive. There’s trust in his kiss, and a whole lot of longing that’s impossible to ignore.
“Are you trying to seduce me?” I ask.
Isaac’s laughter is soft, a whisper of air against my lips. “Need I remind you who started it?”
“I was being a perfect gentleman.”
He snorts. “The funny thing is I believe you.”
I give him one more peck. “But ask me to and I’ll erase that word from your memory.”
Isaac curses as I lean back and start the vehicle. His subtle adjustment in his seat has me fighting a smile for the rest of the drive.
When I pull into the parking lot of the tattoo shop, Isaac looks around curiously. “This is where you live?”
“It is. My uncle rents the place above the shop from the owner.”
“Must be nice to be so close to where he works,” Isaac observes. “You didn’t want to follow in his footsteps?”
