“Ugh. That probably made me sound completely full of myself.”
“Not completely. Only a little.” He turned right and flashed her a grin. One she returned tenfold, her eyes sparkling in the shadowed interior of the car.
“My mother believes if she can get Josh and me into the same room, we’ll fall into each other’s arms.”
“Because proximity is equal to attraction.” He’d thought he was joking but as soon as it was out of his mouth, he realized that sometimes, proximity turned up the attraction to eleven. Million.
“Sometimes,” Isa said as she watched out the window.
Eli remained silent as he turned left, then pulled to a stop in front of the Vancouver. He stepped out, but not before telling Isa, “Stay put. I’ll get your door.”
A valet with white gloves stepped forward to take the car keys from him, and predictably, Isa’s car door opened a second later. He offered a hand and helped her out, tucking her palm against his elbow.
“I see your point about the stubbornness,” he murmured as they turned for the building.
“Takes one to know one.” Her tone was teasing and he returned her smile with a narrowed gaze. Then he took one step forward and saw the staircase leading to the front doors of the Vancouver and his light mood disappeared into the ether.
“Fuck.” His voice was just below a whisper, but Isa heard him, her grip tightening on his forearm.
“Wait.”