by Paula Kay
Isabella grinned. It was a familiar term of endearment that Thomas had been using with her for years, but it felt different to her now—different in the way that she sensed their whole relationship was about to shift.
Thomas took his coat off and put it around Isabella’s shoulders.
She squeezed his hand and led him around the corner of the house to the terrace. It was private. They could still hear everyone inside, but they were shielded from their view.
“Oh, maybe I should pop in and let them know we’re out here—so Lia doesn’t worry, I mean.”
“I’m pretty sure that Jemma will fill her in,” said Thomas grinning—probably at the look Isabella must have had on her face. “I needed some help in planning this, you know.”
“And how long have you been planning this little surprise?”
Thomas sat down on one of the chairs at the table, pulling Isabella down into the chair beside him. “I’ll get to that.”
Isabella loved the look she saw on his face. It was his normal mischievous look, one that was as familiar to her as her own features in the mirror—but there was something more—something that she didn’t think she’d seen before. And it made her heart race.
Thomas turned his chair so that he was knee-to-knee with Isabella, facing her. He reached for both her hands, holding them tight.
Isabella smiled but she was having a hard time keeping eye contact with him.
“Iz, don’t freak out on me.” Thomas brought one of her hands to his lips.
She laughed lightly. “I’m not. I’m just—well, somewhat shocked, I guess. In a good way, I mean.”
“I figured you would be. But I hope that you’re as happy to see me as I am to see you.”
He leaned forward to give her a quick kiss on the lips, and Isabella wondered how it was that his lips already felt so familiar to her—like she’d been kissing him all her life.
He squeezed her hands again and looked her in the eyes. “I have some things I want to say to you, Isabella Dawson.”
She nodded and laughed. “So you’ve said. Go on then.”
“Well, firstly it wasn’t true what I’d told you about the kiss we shared—back in London.”
“Not true about which part?”
“I think I probably made it sound like I’d never thought of kissing you before that night…”
Isabella looked at him, sitting across from her, feeling him on the verge of telling her everything she’d ever wanted to hear. She knew what he was going to say before he’d uttered the words.
“In San Francisco?” Her voice was still a whisper. Maybe she was afraid that somehow this spell they seemed under could still break—that sitting there so close to Thomas, the feel of his lips on hers still so familiar, could go away in the blink of an eye if she wasn’t careful.
Thomas smiled and brought her hand to his lips once again. “Yes, it was in San Francisco—while we were on the bridge, while we were shopping downtown, when you were lying in my lap during our movie night that last night. I think I’d been kidding myself for months, Iz. Telling myself that it—that you and I—weren’t possible—not like that—not as a couple. But—”
Isabella didn’t miss it when Thomas let go of her hand to run his own through his hair. It was that thing he always did when he was feeling nervous, and now as she watched him she felt herself smiling, on the one hand wanting to tease him as she always did, but on the other recognizing that it was a time to be serious—more serious than they’d ever been with one another.
“But?” Isabella whispered, looking into Thomas’s eyes as he reached for both her hands again.
He leaned forward and gave her the kiss she’d been wanting again—this time it was longer, and when he pulled away slightly to look into her eyes, she knew that his next words were going to be everything she’d ever wanted to hear.
“The truth is, I love you. I’m in love with you, Izzy.”
“Really?” She felt the tears stinging her eyes and the next thing she knew Thomas’s finger was gently brushing the wetness away; a second later, his lips were gentle on her cheek, her eyelid, her lips once again.
He pulled away, laughing a little. “Please tell me those are happy tears and not tears of horror.”
Isabella could only shake her head, not trusting herself to speak with all of the emotion that seemed to be caught in her throat as she reached for his neck, pulling him to her for the hug and scent of his cologne that was so familiar to her. Finally before they had the chance to break apart again, she whispered in his ear.
“I love you too.”
Now he created the distance necessary to look her in the eyes, his smile wide, the question gone from his face. He nodded. “Yeah?”
Isabella laughed before she gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “I think I’ve always loved you.”
Thomas pulled her to his lap, Isabella’s head perfectly falling against his chest, where they sat quietly for several minutes before Thomas finally brought her face to his for another kiss. He led her gently back to her chair as he stood up to retrieve something from his backpack that he’d set off to the side earlier.
“I’ve got a little present for you,” he said, smiling at what must have been a look of surprise on Isabella’s face.
“What? Thomas, no. You already gave me my present—the journal in London—and I don’t have anything else for you—if that’s what you’re hoping.” She laughed.
“Oh, well, if you don’t want it…” Thomas made a motion to put the small package back into his bag.
“Hey, don’t you dare, mister.” Isabella laughed.
Thomas kissed her again before he put the small wrapped gift into her hands. “And by the way, those sweet kisses are the only present I ever need from you.”
Isabella’s head went back a bit as she laughed, and she could feel his lips gentle on her neck, landing just under her ear and practically making her lose her breath for the way he was making her feel.
She looked at him as she felt the small gift in her hand, holding it up to give it a small shake, laughing as she did so. “Is it the keys to a new car, that new key chain I’ve been wanting, a gift certificate for the mall back home…”
“Just open it.” Thomas was grinning at her, obviously enjoying her teasing.
Isabella smiled as she peeled off the paper and tentatively opened the lid of the velvet box. “Oh, Thomas! You didn’t! It’s so beautiful.”
Thomas lifted the diamond necklace out of the box as Isabella turned around and moved her hair off her neck to her shoulder. She first felt the lightest of kisses along the side of her neck before his fingers gently secured the perfect band of small diamonds around her neck. She felt his breath on her ear before she turned around so that he could admire the beautiful gift he’d given her.
“You, Isabella Dawson, are a woman worthy of diamonds.”
She turned to face him, her lips finding his, her fingers gently reaching to touch the gift that so perfectly suited the neckline of the dress she was wearing. “Thank you.” And she wondered if he’d noticed.
Thomas stepped back a bit, and she could feel him taking her in from head to toe, his eyes lingering where the necklace didn’t quite touch the material of the dress that fit her as if it were made for her alone. He kissed her again quickly. “I think this just might be your lucky dress.”
She grinned up at him. “You noticed.”
“I can’t forget how you looked that night—the night of our first kiss, Bella.” He pulled her to him, kissing her again and again with quick gentle kisses on her lips. “And now our second kiss and more kisses that I want to lose track of for kissing those lips of yours over and over again.”
Isabella laughed, looking up at him in the moonlight. “Hey, you called me Bella.”
“You are—my lovely, perfect Bella.”
Chapter 20
Lia watched Isabella and Thomas make their way across the room hand-in-hand to where everyone stood awaiting the introdu
ctions. Her granddaughter looked blissfully happy. Anyone could see that, Lia thought as she felt Antonio’s arms draw her in closer to where he stood. She reached up to give her husband a quick peck on the cheek. “Our Isabella looks lovely, doesn’t she?”
Antonio nodded, kissing the top of Lia’s head. “She sure does. I’d say that young man is lucky that he’s finally come to his senses.”
Isabella came over to give first Lia and then Antonio a kiss on the cheek. “Lia, Antonio—everyone, this is Thomas.”
“Thomas!” Annie shouted at the top of her lungs, running from across the room to hurl herself at Thomas’s legs causing everyone to burst out laughing.
Thomas reached down to pick the little girl up, bringing her to eye level. “Hey there, Annie. Nice to see you again so soon. Are you having a good Christmas?”
Annie nodded. “The best.” She put her arms around his neck, giving him a big hug. “Thomas, can you please put me down now? I have to go back to play with my friends,” she said, pointing to where Gabriella and Kylie sat on the floor totally consumed with the Christmas gifts they’d just opened.
“Well, someone sure does seem to give you the full approval.” Antonio stuck out his hand toward Thomas. “Thomas, we’re glad you could make it.”
“Thank you for having me, sir.”
“Please call me Antonio, and this is my wife, Lia.”
Thomas leaned in to give Lia a kiss on the cheek. “I’ve heard so many great things about you both—and this place, which seems pretty amazing even in the dark.” He laughed.
Lia didn’t miss the tightening of Isabella’s hand as Thomas looked toward her granddaughter and then pulled her gently closer by his side. She thought the two looked perfect together—and Isabella possibly happier than she’d ever seen her. Lia’s eyes went to Isabella’s neck.
“Oh, honey. That is gorgeous.”
Isabella’s hand went to her necklace and Lia didn’t miss the flush to her cheeks. It was an extravagant gift—something given to someone who was much more than just a friend.
“It is, isn’t it? Maybe a bit much, but—”
“But nothing.” Thomas winked. “A beautiful gift for a beautiful woman.”
Lia saw Thomas’s eyes go toward Emily and Richard as they walked across the room toward the small group.
“Mr. and Mrs. Dawson.” Thomas reached out his hand toward Richard, who promptly drew him in for a big hug.
“Thomas, it’s great to see you.”
Lia thought Isabella looked slightly embarrassed as she saw her let go of Thomas’s hand to hug her mother.
“Mom, can you believe Thomas came all the way here to surprise me?”
Emily reached down to touch Isabella’s necklace and they were close enough that Lia could hear her whisper in her daughter’s ear. “The necklace looks beautiful on you, honey, and I take it you and Thomas have made up?”
Isabella laughed and nodded just as Jemma came behind her to wrap her arms around her neck.
“Bella, what do you think of your surprise?”
“I think you are the worst friend ever for keeping secrets from me!” Isabella said before laughing and whispering something in Jemma’s ear that Lia couldn’t hear.
Thomas greeted Gigi and Douglas and met Blu, Chase, and Rafael before Lia scooted everyone back into the living room for hot chocolate and dessert, pulling Isabella aside for a minute to hand her the one ornament that she’d set aside earlier that week.
“I’d gotten this one for Thomas, before I knew that he wasn’t able to make it.”
“Oh, wow. Thank you.” Isabella hugged her, but not before she saw the tears in her granddaughter’s eyes. “I really love him, Lia.”
Lia looked at Isabella, standing in front of her, so poised and beautiful; and out of the corner of her eye, she didn’t miss the expression on Thomas’s face as he watched her granddaughter too. “I’m pretty sure that he loves you too.”
“Bella, how wonderful that your Thomas is here.” Gigi winked as she came up beside Isabella and Lia, reaching her arm around Isabella’s waist. “And let me see that magnificent necklace, sweet girl.”
Isabella giggled at Gigi’s words and the scrutiny of the gift around her neck. “I guess he just might be my Thomas after all.”
“Well, it’s good to know that he has the sense that we all gave him credit for.” Gigi laughed too. “You better go over there before those girls get him wrapped up in their little tea party they’ve got going on at the table.”
Lia and Gigi linked arms as they watched Isabella cross the room to whisper something in Thomas’s ear before handing him the ornament with his name on it. He looked over at Lia, giving her a big grin before he walked to the Christmas tree to place his ornament next to Isabella’s. Then she watched him turn toward her granddaughter and give her the sweetest of kisses. It was a kiss that said just the right amount about his feelings while being polite enough to acknowledge there were others in the room keenly aware of the change in the young couple’s status.
Gigi turned toward Lia with a big grin. “I have a good feeling about this, Lia.”
Lia nodded, also smiling. “Me too, Gigi. Me too.”
Chapter 21
Isabella felt Thomas grab her hand under the table. She smiled and leaned over to give him a light kiss on the cheek. They were meeting Jemma and Rafael at Thyme for one last meal together before they left with Gigi and Douglas for Florence in the afternoon. The four of them were catching a flight to Guatemala in the morning, and Isabella and Thomas would be staying on at the villa for a few more days.
Thomas scooted his chair closer, looking quickly around the quiet restaurant before giving Isabella a long full kiss on the mouth. She felt the sigh escape her lips without even being aware of it until it had happened. She giggled right next to his lips and smiled as he pulled away just a little bit to look at her.
“Are you happy, Iz?”
The expression on his face told her that he knew that she was.
“Insanely so. Can’t you tell?” she teased him back.
“I can tell. I can always tell when you’re happy.”
His look went from silly to serious, and Isabella’s heart tugged at the way it made her feel. She really did love this man. It felt good to admit it—to herself and to him. And to be loved by him? She was still in a state of shock about everything that had happened between them.
“It’s been a great Christmas, hasn’t it?” Isabella asked.
“The best. Seriously, I’m so glad I came.”
“You’re glad?” Isabella laughed. “I’m still in shock.”
“It was a great surprise, wasn’t it?”
“The best surprise.” Isabella smiled at him. “And I can’t believe that you’ve finally met my whole family.”
“And I adore them all. Honestly, Lia and Antonio—the vineyard, this restaurant—it’s all been just how you’d described, only a hundred times better.” He leaned over to give her another kiss. “—And especially the part about my getting to finally kiss you again here in Italy.”
Isabella laughed, kissing him back. “Well, yes, that part has been pretty nice for me too.”
Before she could return Thomas’s kiss with one of her own, she noticed Jemma waving as she and Rafael walked up to the door of the restaurant.
“Hey, you two.” Jemma walked through the door, making her way over to give Isabella a hug. “Can you believe how gorgeous the weather is today?”
“Maybe you guys should postpone your flight and stay here with us a few more days?” Isabella grinned but she already assumed she knew the answer.
Jemma glanced at Rafael, who’d pulled out her chair for her. “Oh, we’d love to, but Raf needs to get back to work.”
They settled in at the table, giving their coffee order to the waitress.
Isabella reached for her friend’s hand. “Jem, I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do without you every day. You’ve been such a constant in my life these past mon
ths. It already feels weird to me.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure this one’s gonna do a good job of taking my place.” Jemma gestured toward Thomas and winked. “So tell us your plans. Where are you two headed?”
Isabella grinned as she looked first at Thomas and then back to Jemma. “Well, we’ve got about seven months until Thomas needs to be back to start at NYU. We figure we’ll spend a bit more time in Italy and then Paris.”
“Ah, back to the city of love.” Jemma was grinning at her, and Isabella felt her cheeks flush.
When she and Thomas had talked about where they wanted to travel together, he’d brought up Paris and even though Isabella had already been there, it seemed the perfect place to go back to—to experience with him. She was already envisioning dining at the Eiffel Tower and long walks through her favorite park.
Isabella felt Thomas reach for her hand underneath the table.
“I feel that Iz deserves some serious romance after what I’ve put her through.” Thomas was looking at her intently. “And really, what I’ve put us both through.”
“What do you mean?” Rafael asked.
“We should have been together months ago, but I was too thick-headed to realize it.”
“Well, you’re together now and that’s what matters,” said Jemma.
Thomas leaned over to give Isabella a quick kiss on the cheek just as he’d done a hundred times before during the course of their friendship, but as Isabella felt her stomach flutter and she saw the look in his eyes, she knew that everything was completely different between them now.
Isabella grinned as she squeezed Thomas’s hand underneath the table and looked at Jemma, with Rafael’s arm around her. “Yep. We’re together now. And that’s what matters.”
A Map for Bella
(Book 3)
Bella’s Heart
By
Paula Kay
Copyright © 2016 Paula Kay
Cover design by Beetiful Book Covers