“So you left.”
No missing the proud arch of one of Isa’s dark eyebrows. “Actions speak louder than words.”
“So you’re saying you’re looking for some action.” Eli pulled her in again, unable to resist all that unbridled confidence and strength.
Her hand landed on his tuxedo shirt where she toyed with a button rather than push him away. “That’s not what I’m saying.”
“Well that’s what I heard.”
She tipped her head and smiled up at him. He smiled back. He liked her in his arms. He liked her relying on him. He liked her, period.
Over her shoulder he spotted Isa’s mother and the guy he guessed was Josh looking in their direction. He assumed he was her ex given the stiff posture and the look of complete disgust aimed directly at Isa.
He liked that, too. Liked Josh seeing what he could no longer have. Liked Josh knowing she wasn’t in a position to be given an ultimatum. It was time to deliver that message in person.
“Okay, Sable,” Eli said, hugging her against him with a possessive arm around her waist. “Let’s you and I go see this ex of yours.”
***
Isa inhaled a lungful of pure relief as Eli braced her against his firm, solid side. Having him here, and knowing he had her “six” was more than she’d asked for but exactly what she needed. She could face Josh alone. She just didn’t want to.
She’d been away from Josh for years, but since her parents brought him up regularly, he still felt like a part of her life. She couldn’t help wondering if they did the same with him—regaling Josh with Isa’s successes, which they probably recounted as failures, and then delivering a pitch for getting the two of them back together.
Until tonight, Isa hadn’t realized the way she fell into line in this environment. It was disheartening how the strong, sure businesswoman she’d become since she left Sawyer Financial and broke up with Josh receded behind her former accommodating self.
Eli had reminded her of who she was. She had the bottle of beer in hand to prove it.
Josh watched them approach, his eyes flicking between Isa and Eli. Josh recognized her date. She knew he did—Josh kept up with local gossip and the up-and-comers. He knew about the Cranes.
“Josh, look who’s come to congratulate you.” Her mother stepped in to gesticulate among the three of them.
“Hi, Bella,” Josh said with a nod. “Nice to see you again.”
His gaze settled on where her hand rested on Eli’s sleeve.
“Accompanying her is Elijah Crane.” Helena’s tight smile morphed into a frown when she spotted beer bottles in both Eli’s and Isa’s grips.
“Mr. Crane,” Josh said. “I read a piece in the Trib about you when you came home. Honorably discharged. Thank you for your service.”
Isa bristled. She had no idea how Eli would take Josh’s generic and borderline condescending greeting.
Eli gave Josh a chin-lift that could either be construed as a nod or a fuck-you, and Isa, in her own immature way, hoped Josh took it as the latter. He didn’t of course. The jackass.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Helena interrupted. “I have to go say hello to the Kitchers.” Like that, she was off, gliding through the crowd to torment another unsuspecting group of people.
“Bella, you look…” Josh paused, his eyebrows jumping slightly. “Very pink.”
“Gorgeous is the word you’re looking for,” Eli said, his tone gravel and dust.
Josh flicked him a peeved look. “Seemed an inappropriate observation to make since you two are together.” News he’d obviously just learned. Damn her parents. They’d primed Josh for Isa showing up as his date tonight. She’d bet her shoes on it.
“There was never a chance we’d get back together,” she told him.
Josh lost his air of politeness and clenched his jaw. “Still enamored with serving others, are you? Do you serve him?”
“We’re done here.” Eli’s voice, low and lethal, sent a shiver of pleasure down her spine.
With the hand resting on Eli’s elbow, she squeezed his arm gently. “We’ve both known for years we didn’t want the same things, Josh. Why would you want me back?”