“It’s understandable.”
So lost in the idea of getting back to his date, he had to ask her to clarify. “What is?”
“The way you hold back. The distance you force. You’re cautious about committing.”
Old anger spiked in his chest and he mentally tamped it down. This was an ancient argument. One where Crystal would say he couldn’t commit and he would argue that he signed up to potentially die for his country, so how about that for commitment?
It wasn’t a road he was willing to repave. Not now. Not ever.
“I’m not trying to insult you,” Crystal said, and he could see in her earnest expression that she believed she was being sincere. “I can see the way she looks at you”—his eyes tracked back to Isa, who sat at the table with Tag and Lucas—“and I don’t want your hesitation to go ‘all in’ to ruin your chance at happiness.”
Now? Now she cared about his happiness?
His face warmed as his blood pressure shot up. What he wanted to say was, You accuse me of holding back when you couldn’t admit to moving on with the man you’re now married to? You didn’t think you owed me an ounce of sympathy and a pint of explanation when you e-mailed me back to tell me you didn’t “sign up” for a man like me?
Instead, he forced a smile that probably came off looking like a grimace, and said, “Good luck to you, Crystal.”
“You too.”
He used the walk away from his ex-girlfriend to calm himself, not feeling much better for running into her. Not that he should be surprised. Whatever issues he and Crystal had when they split were still there—and he’d be foolish to think they could be put to rest after a two-minute conversation in a bar.
He reached the table, where Tag was delivering a glass of wine to Isa, who was wrapped in conversation with Lucas. Eli’s chest tightened at the sight of her, and not in a bad way. In a way that reminded him that as wrong as Crystal was for him, Isa was right.
Right. Had he finally found it?
“Lucas,” Eli interrupted, taking the seat next to Isa. “Stop flirting with Sable.” Isa put her hand on his and he felt instantly better.
“Sable?” Luc asked. “Is that a stage name or something?”
“Are you suggesting I’m a stripper?” Isa said, feigning insult.
Tag leaned back, arms folded, prepared to watch the show. Eli leaned back, too, his focus on Luc, who futilely attempted to scramble out of the hole.
“No! Not at all. I’m…See, I’m in the music business. So the idea of a stage name applies to my industry as well.” Lucas leaned forward and put both hands to his chest. “I’m legit.”
“Uh-huh. Sure.” Isa lifted her wineglass and her eyebrows, content to give Lucas a hard time. Eli was content to let her.
Lucas continued digging, and Isa continued pretending to be unimpressed. And when Tag caught Eli’s eye, he grinned and shook his head. He didn’t have to say anything, because Eli could read his younger brother’s mind.
Nicely done, E.
Eli couldn’t argue that he was damn lucky to have Isa in his life.
Nicely done, indeed.
***
“No, no, no. Do not even tell that story.” Tag swiped tears from the corners of his lashes, and Isa followed suit. It’d been a long time since she laughed herself to tears, and in unexpected company to boot.
“Senior prom,” Lucas started, hand slicing the air like he was telling a serious account.
Impossible. These two were anything but serious.
Before he could continue, Tag elbowed him. “Come on, another time. Isa has heard enough about the Crane boys’ adventures.” He sent her a golden-lashed wink as Eli’s hand slipped around her waist. The simple act of Eli’s hand at her back, or hearing his low, subtle chuckle turned her on.
She’d only had one glass of wine, so alcohol wasn’t to blame. He inebriated her by being himself. The real him she was starting to uncover. The idea gave her chills.
“Fine. Next time,” Lucas said. Everyone at the table stood to say goodbye and Luc pulled her into a friendly hug. “I owe you a story. It was great to meet you.”