by Paula Kay
“Shall I do the honors?” Thomas picked up the knife and Isabella nodded her head as she reached for her fork.
“You shall.”
He handed her a plate with half the brownie and half the cheesecake and then settled back into the sofa with his own.
She grinned at him.
“Now what?”
“Nothing.”
“What?”
“I miss this.”
“Sharing dessert together?”
She looked him in the eye after swallowing a big bite of brownie. “I miss us.”
Thomas looked back at her. “Me too, Iz.”
Isabella cleared the dishes and food away from the coffee table, grabbing the nearby blanket and remote control, before settling back on the sofa beside Thomas. “Ready to start the movie?”
Thomas patted his stomach. “Yep, totally ready to veg out. We can do the popcorn later.”
She gave him a look and he laughed. “Popcorn? No way. Not tonight.”
“Just kidding. I’m stuffed too. Let’s watch the movie.”
Isabella hit play and spread the blanket across her lap, holding it out for Thomas. “Want some?”
He took it, stretching it across both of them as they watched the movie, cracking up in all the same places that they’d done so many times before as they’d watched the same movie together back home. “This is great, Iz. Just like old times, huh?”
“Yeah.” Isabella said as she yawned.
“Tired?”
“A little, but I’m okay.” She yawned again.
“Come here.” Thomas grabbed one of the small throw pillows and pulled her head down on his lap.
Isabella’s heart was beating so quickly. It felt strange to be so close to him, but at the same time it felt so right. She felt his hand on her hair and then resting on her shoulder. She could smell his cologne and it was all she could do to resist turning towards him—nestling her face into his chest and falling asleep there, but it was Thomas—Thomas, her best friend.
Isabella’s phone buzzed from the table with an incoming video call. Thomas leaned over to pick it up. “It’s Colin.”
She couldn’t be sure but she thought she saw something flash across his face as he gently pushed her up off his lap.
“Go ahead. We can pause the movie.”
Isabella didn’t take the time to think about it, grabbing her phone to head toward her bedroom. “No. Don’t pause it. It’s okay. I won’t be long.”
She saw Thomas nod his head as she answered the call and then walked into her bedroom.
It was nice to hear from Colin, as it had been a while since they’d spoken, but she was having a hard time concentrating if she was being honest with herself. All she could think about was Thomas in the other room and the nice feeling of being so close to him. She shook her head as if doing so would rid her mind of such thoughts. She hung up the call after five minutes, ending with the promise to call him back the next day, and then left her phone in the bedroom.
Thomas seemed intent on the movie when she went back in to sit next to him. His arms were folded across his chest, the blanket bunched up next to him on the sofa. He looked over at her when she sat down. “How’s Colin?”
“Oh, he’s fine. He just wanted to know how everything was going—with my father and all.”
“Mm-hm.” Thomas’s attention was back on the movie.
“What, Thomas?”
He sighed, looking back at her. “Nothing, Iz.” He smiled. “Let’s just finish the movie, okay?”
“Sure.” Isabella grabbed for the blanket and settled in at the opposite end of the sofa, feeling the distance between them heavy as the blanket she had around her. She willed herself to focus on the movie, but all she wanted was to be closer to Thomas again. If only she’d left her phone off… If only…what? What exactly did she want or expect to happen? These were crazy thoughts—thoughts that she shouldn’t be having—not about Thomas.
As if reading her mind, Thomas glanced at her, then reached out to take her hand, pulling her close to him and back down on the pillow still on his lap. He laughed. “You seemed so comfortable earlier.”
She nodded her head from where she rested it on the pillow, trying to take quiet deep breaths in the hopes of slowing her racing heart.
“Iz?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you really like that guy?”
“Hm. I dunno.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?” Thomas laughed lightly and she felt his hand on her shoulder again.
“I mean, I guess I haven’t spent too much time thinking about it. We don’t really know one another all that well. Why?”
“He doesn’t really seem like your type to me.”
Isabella wanted to sit up and look him in the eye. But she didn’t. Her heart beat faster again as she wondered exactly where the conversation was going. “And you think you know what my type is?” She laughed lightly, hoping the question sounded like the joke that it wasn’t all of the sudden.
You’re my type, Thomas. The thought was in her head, honest and louder than she’d ever heard it before.
Thomas was quiet. She turned her face so that she could see him out of the corner of her eye. His fingers reached to bring the hair back from her eyes—his fingers more gentle than she’d imagined, the look on his face unreadable but a look she didn’t think she’d seen before.
He looked like he wanted to say something, but then he just pushed her up gently from his lap once again as the movie credits were rolling on the TV screen. “I should go.” He stood up.
“Oh. Okay.”
“Our early flight and all,” he was saying as he reached for the doorknob. “Thanks, Iz—for the movie, dinner, everything.”
She nodded. “It’s been fun—a really nice day.” She made herself smile, hating that things suddenly felt so awkward between them. Please don’t let it be awkward.
He reached out to give her a quick hug and then he was gone, leaving Isabella alone with the thoughts that would keep her awake half the night.
Chapter 28
Isabella leaned back in her seat as the plane began its ascent, thankful that there’d been no weirdness between her and Thomas that morning. In fact, it was as if nothing at all had happened, the jokes flowing between them, their easy banter in its rightful spot. Okay, so nothing really had happened—except maybe in Isabella’s head. She’d spent the last several minutes convincing herself that anything she thought she’d felt between them the night before had all been in her head—that it had been just like any other ordinary movie night between them.
Thomas looked at her, then reached out to give her hand a squeeze. “You okay?”
She nodded her head, feeling slightly confused. “Yeah, why?”
“About the flying?” He laughed.
“Oh, right. I know—can you believe it? I’m practically a pro now.” She laughed too, thinking about how far she’d come from that young girl who was dead set against ever setting foot on a plane.
Thomas squeezed her hand again before letting it go. “I can believe it. You’ve changed a lot, Iz.” He turned toward her again after looking out the window for a second.
Isabella knew that her confusion probably showed on her face as he did so.
“For the better, I mean. You’ve come a long away—getting over some fears, not being so strict with yourself. I’m proud of you.” He grinned widely and she felt her own smile match his as she let the words sink in.
“Thanks. That means a lot. Really.” She felt the tears just behind her eyelids and didn’t want Thomas to notice. “Sorry. I guess I didn’t get such great sleep last night. I’m going to close my eyes for a few minute.”
“Go ahead.” Thomas reached for his earbuds. “I’m gonna listen to some tunes and zone out myself.”
When Isabella woke up, it took her a full ten seconds to realize where she was. Thomas was there—sitting next to her. She leaned forward a bit in her seat to peer out t
he window at the sky over the Atlantic.
London. They were on their way back to London after the most amazing whirlwind time away. Thomas was on his way back to Natasha. She hated it that she felt physically sick thinking about it—thinking about the two of them together.
Get a hold of yourself, Isabella. Keep it together and don’t start anything. Things are good with Thomas. They need to stay that way.
Thomas stirred a bit next to her, seemingly fast asleep himself. She looked at him for a moment, watching the way his lips parted slightly with each breath that he took. She loved Thomas as a friend—as her best friend. She just needed to keep reminding herself of that and things would be fine.
She had a lot on her mind anyway. Jemma had written her to let her know that the box had arrived. She smiled, thinking about her book and the fact that she’d kept most of it a secret. Only Jemma knew the details and that she was actually already published. She’d done a great job keeping it from Thomas, despite all of his questions about it. He’d be surprised, as would the rest of her family at Christmas.
She grinned. Family. That was what Thomas was to her. He was like the older brother she’d never had. She laughed as Thomas opened his eyes, stirring finally from his sleep. Okay, so maybe convincing herself that he was just like a brother was going to take a bit of work. Isabella was apparently still quite good at telling lies to herself.
“Hey, wow. I can’t believe I fell asleep. I didn’t realize I was so tired.” Thomas stretched his arms overhead. “Any idea how much longer?”
“No, but several hours at least.” Isabella pulled out her journal from the seat pocket in front of her.
“That’s the first time I’ve seen you with your journal since we’ve been gone. Still writing in it a lot?”
“Yeah, for the most part. When I’m not worried about hitting my word count goals for the day.” She laughed lightly.
“Ah, but this is different than your fiction, right? These are your innermost thoughts and feelings, yes? Something I’m sure that you’d only share with your very best friend in all the world?”
Thomas was teasing her, but Isabella couldn’t help but think back to a time not so long ago when Thomas knew all her secrets. There was nothing she’d kept from him. But lately—lately she couldn’t say the same. And she’d never risk letting him read what she’d written in her journal the night before—after he’d left her sleepless in her hotel room. Her face grew hot thinking about it.
“Isabella!” Thomas had a fake shocked look on his face. “You do have deep dark secrets in there, don’t you?” He winked at her but he was staring at her intently.
“Oh, stop. No. Not really. But no. It’s still only for me to read.” She laughed, hoping she sounded normal and like she was joking.
“Hmm.”
“What?”
“I’m intrigued.”
“Thomas! Watch a movie or something.” Isabella laughed.
He laughed too, turning the video monitor to the movie selections. “That is actually a great idea. You go ahead writing your profound thoughts while I find some hilariously juvenile comedy to watch.”
“Mm-hm. You do that.” Isabella pretended to be deep in concentration, her pen poised over the page, while inside she was still cringing at the idea of Thomas reading her journal.
Several written journal pages later, followed by some reading of the novel she’d just picked up for the trip, followed by two movies she’d selected herself to watch, Isabella was relieved to hear the announcement from the pilot that they were getting ready to make their descent into London. She and Thomas both readied their seats and turned off their electronics and then watched out the window as the city below grew closer.
“Are you excited?” Isabella asked.
“To be back? Yeah, sure. I like London. You?”
“Well, I wasn’t just taking about London, silly. Are you excited to see Natasha?” Isabella held her breath, hoping it wasn’t going to start them into a conversation that would end in an argument. That was the last thing she wanted.
“Sure.”
“Is she meeting you at the airport?”
“Yeah, I think so. I’m sure you’d be welcome to come back to the apartment with us.”
“Yeah, right. I’m sure Natasha would love me third-wheeling on your reunion.” Isabella laughed lightly but inside she didn’t want to think about their reunion at all. “Jemma’s supposed to meet me at the airport. She’s got a new apartment arranged for us that she’s excited to show me.” She looked at Thomas carefully before she continued. “So, I take it Natasha is done being mad at you?”
“Well, that remains to be seen. She was pretty upset about me missing the wedding.”
Isabella was quiet, not sure of what to say.
“Iz.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m not sorry that I went with you. Natasha’s going to have to accept the fact that you’re always going to be in my life and that, with some things, you’re always going to come first. This trip was a big deal to you and I got to meet your father.”
Isabella felt tears stinging her eyes. She reached out to touch Thomas’s arm. “I know. I still can’t believe it. He’s great, isn’t he? And Annie. Wow, I still can’t believe I have a sister.”
Thomas was smiling. “It’s great, Iz. Really.”
“And thanks again—so much—for coming. I’m not sure that I would have been able to do it without you.”
“You would have. But I’m glad I was there.”
“And I do hope that Natasha won’t stay mad at you for long.”
“She won’t.” Thomas winked. “I have my ways, ya know.”
Isabella’s stomach fell. “I’m sure you do.”
Minutes later they were off the plane, through passport control, and receiving hugs from Natasha and Jemma, who were waiting together for them. Isabella pasted on a smile, excited to see Jemma and equally as unexcited to watch Thomas with Natasha.
“She’s still mad.” Jemma whispered into Isabella’s ear. “I feel kinda sorry for Thomas.”
Isabella cringed. “I guess he’s ready for it.” She pulled away from Jemma’s hug. “Oh, I can’t wait to have a good chat—to hear about everything.”
“I can’t wait to hear about everything! And to show you our new apartment. You’re gonna love it, and it will be fun to be in London right now. It’s cold but so festive. It’s making me really excited about Christmas.”
“I’m excited too. Thanks for meeting me.” Isabella gave Jemma one last squeeze and then she gave a quick hug to Natasha and an equally quick hug to Thomas. “I guess we’re going separate ways on the tube. Get together later? Tomorrow night maybe.”
“Yeah, that sounds great—”
Natasha gave Thomas a look. “Well, actually, honey, we have that party tomorrow night.” She turned back toward Isabella. “We’ll call you.”
Isabella nodded. She didn’t think she’d be seeing Thomas for a while—not if Natasha had anything to say about it. “Okay. Sure. We’ll talk to you two later.”
Chapter 29
Isabella settled into a big overstuffed chair in their new rented living room, waiting for Jemma to bring her the cup of tea she was preparing for them. The apartment was perfect. It had everything that they’d loved about their place in Paris—great views, plenty of room, and a cozy atmosphere.
Isabella noticed Jemma’s easel set up by one of the big windows, and not far from it a nice big table and comfortable office chair. She smiled, thinking about Jemma setting up a work station for her. She was taking a break from writing, but she did have a lot of promotional things to learn about with the launch of her first book.
“How’s your painting going?” Isabella gestured toward the easel as Jemma set the tea and plate of small sandwiches down on the table near where Isabella sat. “Ooh, yum. And I must say, you’re becoming very British with your tea and sandwiches, aren’t you?”
They both laughed.
“I�
�m trying.” Jemma smiled as she settled into the chair opposite Isabella. “And the painting is going well. I’m almost finished.”
“With your presents?” Isabella smiled. She thought it was a wonderful idea that Jemma had had, to give paintings as gifts for Christmas.
“Yep. Only one more to go—for Thomas, actually. I was hoping you could help me with that idea.”
“Aww, that’s very sweet of you. I’m having my doubts that Thomas will come for Christmas, though. We’ll probably have to have a little celebration with him—with them—here before we go.”
“Oh. That’s too bad. Maybe if he could bring Natasha? I’m sure your grandparents wouldn’t mind. They’ve added on that big guest house to the property, so there’s plenty of room now.”
Isabella crinkled her nose. She couldn’t help it. As much as she’d like Thomas to come for Christmas and meet everyone, she couldn’t imagine having Natasha there. She didn’t want her there, regardless of how that sounded.
“Bella.” Jemma was laughing at her.
“Well, I’m sorry. She’s not really that friendly toward me, is she? I want Thomas there—sure, but not if it means bringing her.” She looked back at Jemma and shrugged her shoulder. “So I’m a terrible person. I can’t help the way I feel. You saw how she was toward me at the airport.”
Jemma had a funny look on her face.
“What?”
“Well, her boyfriend did just spend almost an entire week away with another woman. She’s probably just jealous. And rightfully so?”
“Is that a question?” Isabella felt her face going warm.
“Of course it’s a question. How was it being away with Thomas? You know, I’m convinced that there’s much more to this so-called friendship between the two of you. Anyone can see it, Bella.”
Isabella looked down to stare into the cup she was drinking out of. She didn’t know yet how she was feeling about her time away with Thomas. Nothing had happened between them, yet she felt that something might have happened. But was that just her imagination or was it something she should finally share with Jemma?