by Paula Kay
Isabella took a sip of her drink and tried to think about what else needed to be discussed. She felt emotionally drained and didn’t know if she had it in her to finish the conversation that they probably did still need to have.
“In answer to your question—”
Isabella looked over at him, feeling confused as to what he was referring to.
“—about how we behave together…”
Isabella felt her face go warm. She’d used the words herself, but hearing Thomas say them made her heart pound faster.
“Yeah, what about it?” She forced the question out.
“Iz, the truth is, I don’t know another way to behave with you. You’re so incredibly important to me. I care about your feelings and I never want to hurt you—to make you cry. You have to know that. I can’t imagine not having you in my life. It’s not what I want at all, okay?”
“Okay, but what about Natasha? Everything she said to me? Thomas, you do know that what she really wants is to be married and start having kids.”
She could see the tension in Thomas’s jaw again.
“Yeah, Iz. I suppose I do know that. I mean, we’ve talked about it.”
“You have?” Isabella felt sick to her stomach again. She wanted everything that Natasha had said to her to be lies or some kind of miscommunication between herself and Thomas.
“Well, yeah. I mean, I have to respect where she is in her life. Wanting kids and all? I kinda knew that when we first got involved, I suppose.”
“So that’s what you want? I’m sorry. I just find that so hard to believe.”
Thomas was looking at her with an odd smile on his face.
“Why? Why is it so hard to imagine that I’d want to settle down—to have a family? I do want those things.”
“Right. That’s not hard for me to imagine at all. I think you’ll be a great father one day—the key phrase being one day. I guess I just figured that you still had some wild oats to sow or something.” Isabella laughed, trying to lighten the mood. “I don’t know. I suppose its none of my business, but the more bothersome part of what Natasha and I talked about yesterday was the fact that it seems she doesn’t want us to spend any time together.”
Thomas was nodding his head. “Yes, honestly, Iz—between you and me—that bothers me too. A lot. I would say that it’s the single biggest argument Natasha and I have been having lately. I can’t get her to understand how important your friendship is to me. And believe me, I’ve been trying.”
Nothing was exactly right, but somehow hearing the words Thomas was saying was making Isabella feel better and a bit more secure with their friendship.
“So, I’m guessing that this means you’re definitely not coming to Ireland with Jemma and me?”
Thomas sighed. “I really wanted to. We’ve been planning this trip for so long and somehow I know that I’ve managed to ruin all of that—at least in terms of you and me traveling together. But I think I have to stick this out—see what happens between Natasha and me. If I go to Ireland, I honestly think it would be over between us, and I’m just not ready to do that. I know it seems kinda crazy and I can’t explain it, but I feel a sense of commitment with her that I’ve not really felt before.”
Isabella hated hearing the words but she couldn’t fault him. He looked so vulnerable pouring out the truth about how he was feeling.
She reached over to take his hand across the table. “It’s okay. I do understand—or I will understand. I feel better now after we’ve talked, less likely that you’re just kicking me to the curb.” She laughed.
“No, Iz. I’m definitely not kicking you to the curb. I’m just asking you for a little patience. I think if I can just focus on Natasha and our relationship for a while—until she feels a little more secure—then I think she’ll come around. I’m putting my money on you two becoming friends in the near future.”
Isabella laughed. “Well, I’m not sure that I’d be holding my breath on that one.”
“We’ll see. Now can we please talk about something else? You still haven’t told me about your father and the San Francisco trip you have planned, and I’m dying to know everything.”
Isabella filled Thomas in on all the details that she’d not yet told him, happy for their familiar banter, yet at the same time dreading the meal coming to an end. She felt instinctively that it would be a long while before she saw her best friend again—before she had him to herself again, if she ever would.
Chapter 15
Isabella laughed as she settled in next to Jemma on the plane.
“What’s so funny? You weren’t laughing a few hours ago when we thought we were going to miss our flight.”
“Sorry. I know. I’m terrible for leaving all that stuff to the last minute, but you know what?”
“What?” Jemma smiled at her.
“I’m done. Completely finished, and I am so ready for a proper vacation. Jemma, please tell me that we’re going to have a blast this trip?”
Their last few weeks in London had flown by. Ever since Isabella had last seen Thomas—ever since they’d had their big talk—she’d really tried to give him and their relationship some space. And it had worked in terms of helping her to feel better about things. She needed to let Thomas do whatever he needed to do with Natasha, and she needed to be in a place where she could see her life without his playing such a big role in it.
So she’d spent her remaining days in London pouring herself into her book. She’d completed the final edits and sent it off to the person who was doing all the formatting for her. She’d been assured that the electronic version of her book would be hitting the virtual shelves any day now, and she’d be receiving the physical copies that she had on order well before Christmas.
“Hello? Earth to Miss Party Girl…”
“Oh, sorry. I totally spaced out there. You were saying?”
“I was just saying how proud of you I am and how much you deserve this trip. And I’m pleased at the way you’ve handled everything between you and Thomas. I’m sorry that the trip changed—that you’re stuck with just me—but I’m glad to hear that you’re as excited about it as I am.”
“Jem, don’t be silly. I hope you don’t really feel that way. I’d be more disappointed if you’d have told me that you weren’t going on the trip. You’re my travel partner and don’t you forget it.”
“Well, for once, I kinda feel like we’re in the same place with this one—both wanting to relax and see a bit of the country—”
“—Maybe meet some cute guys…”
Jemma looked at her with a funny expression of shock on her face. “Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”
Isabella laughed. “Hey, it’s about time I let my hair down a little bit. I’ve been hard at work on the book and a little stressed out about other things—but now? Now I just want to have a good time, with no worries about anything or anyone else. And I do hope there will be dancing.”
Jemma grinned. “Oh, there will be dancing alright. I’ve already researched a couple of clubs we can get into in Dublin. Oh, yeah. My party girl Bella is back.”
Isabella smiled and laid her head back against the seat. She was back, alright. It felt good to not be worried or consumed by anything. Thomas had called her the night before to wish her a good trip. The call had been brief, and Natasha was there in the background giving her regards via Thomas. And it hadn’t really felt too awkward. Isabella had told herself that it was the new normal that she’d have to get used to—that she would just have to be content to follow Thomas’s lead on what was going to happen with their friendship.
In her mind she was moving on from it all, determined to put herself in a space where she was open to meeting new people and new relationships. If that happened to include a new man in her life, she’d be open to that as well—starting with this trip to Ireland.
Chapter 16
Isabella laughed as Jemma grabbed her hand to drag her back onto the dance floor. “Jem, hold on
. Let me grab my Coke.”
Jemma nodded her head. “Hurry.”
They’d been very careful throughout their travels whenever they’d been out. Their rules were simple. No alcohol, no leaving your drink behind where someone could put something in it, and no leaving a club without the other one. They were good girls anyway—not ones to really party hard—but they loved to have a good time dancing the night away.
Jemma had had some crazier days when she was younger, but she’d told Isabella early on that those days were far behind her. Now, mainly they just liked to have a laugh and enjoy the music in a good club.
This was the second night in a row that they’d been out dancing since arriving in Dublin a week earlier, and it was shaping up to be another night to add to Isabella’s scrapbook of great memories together. She pulled her phone out to snap a selfie of them together on the dance floor.
“Bella, that guy over there is really checking you out.”
“Huh? What guy?”
“Two o’clock—dark hair, black shirt.”
Isabella looked to where Jemma was staring and then quickly looked away when the guy looked directly at her.
“Oh, wow. That’s embarrassing. How is it that I don’t know how to behave like a normal person in a club? And he’s cute, right?”
“Very. At least smile at him.” Jemma laughed and then tugged at Isabella’s hand again. “Come on. Let’s go back to our table and see if he comes over. But when we walk past him, give him a smile—a big gorgeous one!”
“Yes, ma’am.” Isabella laughed, and when they walked past where Mister Hottie was sitting, she did make quick eye contact with him, giving him a wide grin. “Wow! I really need to get out more. My heart is racing.”
“Well, don’t look now, but here he comes.” Jemma grinned.
Isabella adjusted her hair and picked up her glass to take a drink, willing herself to be natural and not as nervous as she felt.
“Hi. How are you girls doing tonight?” He directed the question toward both of them but there was no mistaking it when his eyes found their way back to Isabella.
“Hi, we’re great, thanks. How are you?”
“Very good, thanks. I’m Colin.” He stuck his hand out toward Isabella and she grasped it firmly. “And you are?”
“Isabella, and this is Jemma.”
He shook Jemma’s hand also and then gestured toward the seat next to Isabella. “Do you mind if I sit down?”
“No. No, not all.”
“So—Isabella. What a beautiful name.”
She smiled at him. “My friends call my Bella—or Izzy—but mostly Bella these days.”
“Well, I love all those names. Can I choose then?” He pulled out his phone. “Which name I’d like to put in my phone with your number?”
Isabella laughed. “Smooth.”
“You think so?” He laughed also.
“Why don’t we wait on that? I don’t typically give my number out to strange guys that I meet in a club.”
Isabella noticed Jemma grinning at her. She was doing an excellent job with her flirting practice, if she did say so herself. She was enjoying the attention that the handsome guy was giving her and the whole thing seemed amusing to Jemma, who had excused herself to find the ladies’ room.
“So, Isabella. Would you dance with me?”
There was a slower song playing—a ballad that Isabella actually really loved.
She nodded her head and stood up from her chair, enjoying the feel of the stranger’s hand in her own as he led her out to the dance floor. She caught Jemma’s eye as she returned to their table and laughed lightly when she gave her a thumbs up.
“What’s so funny, lovely Isabella?”
“Oh, nothing. And I do like how you say my name.”
He leaned his head back so that he was studying her face. “Do you now?”
“Yes, I like the accent. I take it you’re from here?”
“Ireland, yes. But not Dublin. I’m here with a couple of buddies for a stag party.”
“Stag party? What’s that?”
“Oh, I think you Americans call it a bachelor party. It’s for a good friend of mine, and we’re leaving the day after tomorrow to go home.”
“So, where’s home then?”
“I was hoping you’d ask.” Colin winked at her.
Isabella liked the way he teased her. “Go on then. Don’t keep me waiting.” She grinned, enjoying their flirtation and the way she felt him pull her just a little bit closer when he laughed at her comment.
“Oh don’t you worry. I’d never keep a girl like you waiting.”
“A girl like me? But you don’t know anything about me.”
“I know that you’re the most gorgeous creature I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“Stop. Now you’re really laying it on thick.”
“I’m not. Surely you must know how beautiful you are.”
“You were saying—about where you live?”
“If I tell you, will you promise to come visit?”
“I can’t make promises like that. I’m with my friend. But you already know that.”
“Well, I can promise you that you won’t be disappointed.”
“Oh, really now. That’s a very bold statement.”
He laughed and Isabella thought how much she liked the sound of his voice. It was impossible not to smile when he spoke.
“You’ve heard of the Ring of Kerry, have you?”
“The part of Ireland where a lot of the postcard pictures are from?”
“Yes, that’s right. County Kerry is one of the most visited parts of Ireland, and I live in a place called Killarney, which is also quite popular with tourists. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you how beautiful it is there and when you come, I promise to show you—and your friend Jemma, of course—a really nice time.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. It is so, my lady.”
Isabella laughed and then glanced over to where Jemma sat at their table.
“Colin, it’s been really nice meeting you, but I’m afraid I should get going. I don’t want to leave Jemma sitting there alone for longer.”
“Sure. But you can’t possibly think I’m really going to let you go without getting your phone number. We have so much to talk about yet. I want to find out everything there is to know about you.”
He was grinning at her, and Isabella bit her bottom lip as she thought about what to do. It couldn’t hurt—giving him her number. And she and Jemma really didn’t know if they were going to travel beyond Dublin. They hadn’t gotten that far in their planning, and in case they did make it to this Killarney place, it might be good to have a contact there.
She laughed lightly as she realized that she was trying to find so many good reasons for giving this nice enough guy her phone number, when the plain truth of the matter was that she was attracted to him. He was making her feel better than she’d felt in a long time—and what was the harm in talking to him further? Besides, chances were he wouldn’t call her anyway.
She stuck out her hand.
“Yes?”
“Your phone, kind sir?” She smiled as he grinned back at her, slipping the phone in her palm.
“Let’s put it under Isabella then, shall we?”
“We shall.” Isabella put her number in and handed him back the phone, not missing the amused look that Jemma was sending her way. She stuck out her hand. “So, it was very nice meeting you, Colin. Thank you for the dance.”
He held her hand, but then gestured to his cheek. “How bout one little kiss? For good luck.”
Isabella laughed and kissed his cheek quickly, but not quick enough that she didn’t notice how nice he smelled.
“Thank you very much.” He turned toward Jemma. “Jemma, it was nice meeting you. Enjoy your stay in Ireland.” Then he pulled Isabella in for a hug. “Isabella, I will be calling you soon and if I might be so lucky, I hope to see you soon as well.”
With that he was off, an
d Isabella and Jemma sat at the small table staring at one another.
“Well done, little Miss I-don’t-know-how-to-flirt-at-all.” Jemma was laughing.
“Well, he was cute, wasn’t he?”
“Oh, he was cute alright. You’re going to have to tell me what that was all about and when you might be seeing him next.”
“I’ll tell you all about it. Are you ready to go?”
Jemma nodded and they headed outside to hail a taxi, Isabella feeling quite satisfied with how the night had gone. Meeting Colin had been a good distraction for her, even if nothing else came of it.
Chapter 17
Isabella clicked off the video chat with Lucas, just as Jemma came into the kitchen.
“Oh, sorry, Jem. I hope I didn’t wake you. The Wi-Fi is so much better out here, and I really needed to connect with Lucas about Thanksgiving.”
“No, I was awake. How’s everything with your father? I bet they’re getting anxious to see you.”
“My father. That seems weird, calling him that. I mean, I have a dad, right?”
“Yes, you do. And now you have two, I guess.” Jemma grinned. “So? Are all the plans made? I still feel so bad that you’re going alone.”
“I know. It’s okay. I know you’d go with me if you could. I am nervous, or at least I will be. Right now I’m pretty excited about it, though.”
“I’ll bet. It’s a special thing for both of you. And your parents? How are they handling everything?”
“Wow. My parents have just been so incredibly supportive. I still can’t get over it. It really just seems like my whole family keeps getting bigger and everyone is so welcoming with them also. It feels really good, you know?”
“I’ll bet.”
Isabella’s phone rang where she’d set it on the table. She reached over to check the number, setting it back down when she didn’t recognize it.