A horn blared at her, and Tomas and Everett both stepped forward when Isabel almost stepped into the street against the traffic light. She jumped back at the last second and his gut tightened at the near disaster. Across the street, he watched as she bit her lip and lifted her shoulders in a shrug, drawing a laugh from him despite the danger she'd been in.
He shook his head at her antics and, once the light changed, met her halfway across the street to take her arm and escort her to the car.
"Okay, so I might be a little excited," she said, practically dancing at his side. "But that meeting? Everett, how can I ever thank you?"
He could think of a few ways. But he kept those thoughts to himself. For now. "Tell me everything over dinner."
A laugh bubbled out of her, the sound light and airy and fun. It lifted his mood even more.
Everett helped her into the car and told Tomas to take them to Everett’s favorite restaurant. He'd had Jacob make a reservation even though it hadn't been needed. He could go anywhere in the city and get a table, but he hadn't wanted to risk an unwanted delay. Tonight was about celebrating her success and planning the next step. "So?"
"Ah! He wants to do a showcase! I can't believe it. Of course, I kept it cool in there, but oh, my word, a showcase!"
Everett chuckled at her excitement. "Congratulations. I knew you could do it."
Her smile fell just a bit before turning into a frown.
"Everett, you didn't have anything to do with this, did you? I mean, you didn't, like, convince him to offer it as a favor or something, right?"
He supposed every artist felt insecure about their work, but it broke his heart that Isabel was one of them. Had no one ever believed in her? "No, sweetheart. All I did was send the pictures. You and your talent did the rest. I promise."
His words must have reassured her because the smile returned and warmed his heart.
"It's so surreal."
"Well, you'd best get used to it. Don't forget you have at least one more meeting to go to."
She shook her head and stared across the seat at him, eyes glittering with the sheen of tears.
"Thank you."
He grasped her hand in his and lifted it to his lips, brushing her knuckles with a kiss. "You're welcome."
She stared at him a long moment before leaning over and pressing her lips to his in a quick kiss.
He kept his eyes on hers, watching her, needing to hold on to the image. "If I get free kisses every time I help you..."
The words emerged as a growl but it couldn't be helped. He wanted her—his wife. More and more every passing day.
A blush rose into her cheeks and he grinned at the result. His sweet Isabel. "Dinner then dancing," he said, whispering the words into her hair. One good thing that had come from that horrible private school was dance lessons.
"Dancing?"
He nodded. She wasn't ready for more between them, but maybe until then, he could dance his way into her heart?