“Good for you.”
They talked for a few more minutes before saying goodbye. Isaac put his phone in his pocket and studied Cosette through the glass. She caught him looking and flashed him a smile before turning away. He’d told his brother that he was falling for her, but that was a lie. He was far past that. He loved her. Shaking his head, he resumed his pacing.
* * *
Cosette thought she’d put on a pretty good face today. She’d enjoyed being around Isaac, snorkeling, and cooking. She wasn’t worried about Vance at all, but she was worried about Isaac. There was a tightness around his eyes and mouth that revealed his concern. He cared for her, but he didn’t know how they could make a future work. She’d never felt more grounded in reality, and she’d never wanted to be in her happy headspace more. Reality stank.
They cleaned up the orange chicken, veggies, and fried rice. The sun had barely set; it wasn’t even full dark outside. Glancing nervously around, she had no clue what to do with the time. She was wishing time away, yet at the same time she wanted to savor each minute with Isaac.
He seemed to be a little unsure as well. It was an endearing, disconcerting look on this tough, confident man.
“Walk on the beach?” she asked.
“Sure.” He gave her a fake smile and a nod.
They walked outside together and along the beach. It was perfect, quiet, and romantic. If only Isaac would take her hand. Their arms brushed, and warmth started in the pit of her stomach. They might not be able to carve out a future, but why were they missing these moments? She grabbed his hand in hers and held on tight.
Isaac’s gaze darted to her. She smiled brightly at him and squeezed his hand. At least he didn’t pull away. “You know what I think?” she asked.
“No, what’s that?”
She was scared, terrified. The next words would be worse than jumping off a cliff, or so she figured. She’d never actually jumped off a cliff. Maybe she should try it, if she could hold Isaac’s hand while doing so.
When she didn’t say anything, Isaac prompted, “Cozy?”
“We’re being stupid,” she pushed out.
Isaac stopped walking and turned to her, clinging to her hand. “Wanting a future together is stupid?”
So he did want a future together? That was good news. All he’d really said last night was that they couldn’t have a future together. “Thatisn’t stupid, but we don’t have all the answers about it right now. So what? Why are we wasting this time we have together?” She raised an eyebrow and put her other hand on her hip, tossing her long hair. “Hmm?”
Isaac smiled and shook his head. “You are entirely too appealing.” He released her hand, wrapped his arms around her lower back, and pulled her tight against him.
Cosette let out a little squeal of surprise, which made him smile bigger. She slid her hands up his broad shoulders and around his upper back.
Isaac’s smile fled, and his blue eyes filled with longing for her. “So what do you suggest, my beautiful scientist? Do you have a theory for how to make us work?”
Cosette stared up at him, lost in his gaze. “I think all we can do is enjoy the moments, take it a day at a time.”
“That seems shortsighted.”
She frowned at him. “It might be, but it’s all we have right now. I’ll take whatever I can get with you.”
“Ooh, that’s a little forward,” he teased.
Cosette rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.” She tightened her grip on him and pulled herself up closer to his lips. “Let’s savor this, savor us. If the future is hard and lonely, at least we’ll have this time.”
Isaac didn’t look like he loved it, but he rubbed his palms over her lower back and made her body warm up. “So what exactly did you want to savor?” he asked.
Cosette smiled and bit at her lip. Bending toward his neck, she breathed him in. His delicious scent made her a little weak in the knees.
“Are you sniffing me?” he asked.
“Yes, sir … and you’re completely irresistible.”
He smiled.
Cosette softly kissed his neck. As she coyly looked up at him to check his reaction, she blew warm air on his neck like she had two nights ago when they’d been trying out colognes.