Chapter 5
ISABELLA
Arianna: SOMEONE has finally made her dramatic debut on The Eagle Has Landed, and I am so fucking excited!
Hannah: This better be about Isabella, and not one of our daughters.
Kate: I just saw it! Boy, someone got the scoop up there quickly. Isn’t Belle still at work?
Me: I am, in fact, still at work.
Me: Just an article? No picture?
Natalie: Do you WANT a picture, Belle?
Me: I was just curious.
Gianna: She’s totally going to the site right now to look.
Me: This had to be photoshopped.
Arianna: Why?
Me: Because I’m smiling. At Sebastian. Today.
Hannah: You’re allowed to smile at him.
Me: I didn’t smile at him, though! I swear I didn’t. At least I don’t think that I did.
Me: Did I smile?
Me: OMG. There’s FLOUR on my face!
Kate: It’s kinda your trademark.
Me: Lovely.
Arianna: See you tonight for girls night, Mrs. Garcia!
Me: Aren’t you a funny girl.
Fuck.
“I can only stay for one hour. I’m pooped,” I announce as I drop my bag and slide into the booth next to Arianna. Kate and Hannah sit across the table. My sister, Gianna, rarely comes to our girls nights because of her husband’s paramedic schedule. “Is Nat going to make it?”
“No,” Hannah says with a frown. “Two kids have a stomach bug, and Alex has to work an extra shift tonight. I’m sure she wishes she were anywhere but home.”
Yuck. I’d volunteer to help, but I’m not the best with vomit.
I’m also not the best with kids.
I enjoy being an aunt to the constantly growing brood my siblings keep popping out, but I bet if they are honest, none of them would say I’m their favorite aunt.
I’m not outgoing like Arianna and Natalie, and I don’t have the wonderful southern patience Hannah has from growing up in Georgia.
Kate is just naturally good with kids, and Gianna has a peaceful quality that seems to bring everyone happiness.
Then there’s me. I’m introverted, rarely sarcastic, and I don’t have kids of my own.
I’m not even sure I want children. A moot point, considering I’d need to find a man that was willing to participate in the construction of a child.
After the Rick and Amelia debacle, I’m taking a break from the dating scene.
I’m expecting a package of self-care items tomorrow, so I won’t even need a man to satisfy me.
“Why only one hour, Belly?” Arianna asks.
“It was an incredibly long day, and I have to go in early tomorrow to finish up what I didn’t get done today.”
“Aren’t you usually off on Saturdays?” Kate asks.
“Not all the time. It really depends on what’s happening in town. I can usually plan accordingly for any big tourist events or celebrations. No one could work tomorrow, though, so it’s just me.”
The three women share a look, and I sigh. “What is it?”
It takes a moment before Arianna speaks up. “We don’t like you being alone in the bakery.”
“Why?” I ask, then close my eyes in frustration. “Fucking Luca. No. Wait. Fucking Sebastian.”
“Yeah, you should,” Kate says with an exaggerated cough.
“What?” I ask, my brow furrowed in confusion.
“Uh, nothing. And it wasn’t Sebastian who told us. It was Luca. Well, he told Hannah, and she told us,” Kate says hastily. “But I guess Sebastian told Luca? How did he even know anyway?”
“He walked into the bakery,” Hannah pipes up when I don’t answer. Her eyes dart to mine before continuing. “Luca said when he ran into him right after, Seb was vibrating with anger.”
“Did he hit your ex?” Arianna asks with excitement.
“No. He just glared at Rick. ”
Kate’s mouth screws up in distaste. “I can’t believe you went out with a guy named Rick. That would have been an immediate deal breaker for me.”
“Evidently I’m not so snobbish,” I respond defensively.
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t meant to come out as a dig on you. What kind of a name is Rick anyway? Is it short for anything?”
“It’s short for Richard,” I answer, before my gaze swings behind Kate. “Isn’t that Stone?”
The four of us turn to look at the doors to the restaurant, as we watch Stone, Dominic, Luca … and Sebastian walk in. I’m suddenly filled with intense anger. “Is this a set up? Did you guys do this on purpose?”
“No!” Hannah hisses. “They were supposed to go play pool at a bar. I swear!”
Luca notices us, and immediately walks over, sporting a massive grin. “We’re not here to interrupt girl time. We changed our minds about what we want to do tonight, and I don’t think Hannah ever told me where you were meeting.”
“Uh-huh, sure,” I mutter.
“While not planned, I’m not mad about it,” Stone says huskily as he stares at Arianna. “How about we push two tables together and we all have dinner? Then we can go our separate ways.”
“Oh, what a great idea!” Kate gushes, jumping up from the booth. Dom puts an arm around her waist, tugging her into his side.
“Move,” Arianna whispers as she nudges my side. “I want to get to my husband.”
Slowly standing, I’m acutely aware of how blissful my siblings are with their spouses, and I feel like crying. Regardless of whether this was a setup or not, I don’t think I can sit and watch three happy couples throughout dinner. “I’m suddenly not feeling well. I’m going to go.”
I don’t wait for anyone to speak as I dart out of the restaurant.
I hate this. I hate feeling inferior. I don’t want to be jealous of what Hannah, Kate, and Arianna all have, but I am.
They have husbands who adore them. They’ve done the stupid crossing the threshold test that everyone failed until they found ‘the one,’ and I can’t even get a guy to stay monogamous.
Tears fill my eyes as I root around in my bag for my car keys.
I keep my head low as I head into the parking lot, hoping I don’t run into anyone I know.
I hate how often my family is featured on The Eagle Has Landed .
It was supposed to be a town website touting all the amazing things Eternity Springs has to offer, yet somehow morphed into a TMZ-type site that enjoys breaking news and rumors, whether they’re true or not.
Now they’re talking about me , linking me to Sebastian, and referencing a grudge? What do they know? Is it only about what I did to Rick’s apartment, or is there something else?
I squeal when a hand grabs my elbow and spins me around, and I’m so surprised that I don’t bother trying to wipe the tears away. I should have known Sebastian would be the one they sent after me. This absolutely was a setup.
“Go back inside,” I tell him, attempting to turn away, but his hand is locked around my elbow. “I just don’t feel well. There’s a stomach bug going around, and I think I might have it. I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” he says softly. His deep brown eyes search mine. “Why are you crying?”
“Allergies,” I lie.
His lips twitch as he studies me. I hate how I feel like he’s seeing into my soul, slowly dissecting the most intimate parts of my heart. “I’ve heard those six o’clock in the evening allergies are brutal.”
“Uh-huh. They are.” I’m about to wrench my arm out of his grip when he slowly brings a hand up to my cheek, cupping my head, and wipes one tear off with his thumb. I can smell the leather from his black leather MC cut, and the scent mixed with his cologne is intoxicating.
“Tell me why you were crying,” he commands.
My hands come up to push him away, but somehow land on his chest, holding the sides of his cut.
Sebastian’s breath whooshes out in an audible exhale as his other arm wraps around my waist. Butterflies erupt in my stomach.
He’s holding me. He’s literally cradling me in his arms, like I’m the most precious cargo in the world.
And suddenly, I’m so overcome that my eyes close and the words fly out of my mouth.
“I can’t sit there and watch them all be happy.
I just got out of a relationship, and while I didn’t necessarily think Rick was my forever, it still hurts to be cheated on.
To know you’re not enough. And I’m not truly jealous of my siblings, but I am actually envious of their happiness.
Why do they all have to be so adorable with each other?
Couldn’t one of them develop gout, or a hunchback?
Or lose the ability to communicate. Something that makes them more realistic.
Five years ago we were all single, and now everyone is married with kids, and honestly, it’s just not fair.
” When Sebastian doesn’t respond, I open my eyes to find him smiling widely at me.
Good God. He’s even more attractive with that smile.
“I bet it feels better now, to get all of that out.”
Huh. I do feel a sense of relief. “It might.”
“Does anyone in your family know how you really feel about … anything?” he asks, his hand still holding my cheek. It should feel weird, but it doesn’t? I don’t know how to process that.
“How I feel about anything? Yes, they know how I feel about some things.”
“But I bet you placate them often. You’d rather toe the line than rock the boat,” he surmises.
“I don’t like to fight,” I whisper. I’m not a very argumentative person. In fact, the only person I seem to find it easy to argue with is the one standing right in front of me.
“You argue with me,” he says, reading my thoughts. “And before you say anything, just know that I like getting the real you, Isabella. I’ll argue with you anytime.”
“Um, Isabella? Hi,” a voice says from behind me.
Sebastian’s hand drops. I turn to find Amelia staring at me awkwardly, and I’m surprised to find how much I miss his hand on my cheek.
She looks perfect, like always, in a sundress and sandals.
Her blond locks are swept up in a messy updo, one that I have no doubt she spent at least fifteen minutes constructing so it appeared like she didn’t spend a moment on it. “How are you?”
“I’m fine,” I answer, equally as uncomfortably.
“I recognize you. What’s your name again?” she asks, eyebrows raised as she stares at Sebastian. I see the interest in her eyes, and I’m suddenly pissed.
“Why? You gonna sleep with him too?” I blurt out.
I feel angrier about her interest in Sebastian than I ever did about Rick.
What does that mean? I have a quick epiphany where I flashback to every relationship — or almost romance — in my adult life.
Amelia was always involved. Either she convinced me to break up with the guy, or she’d flirt outrageously with the guy to ‘prove’ to me that they weren’t worth my time.
I wonder if Rick was the first guy of mine she slept with.
Amelia’s eyes go wide. “No, I mean — is this a new boyfriend? I don’t want to sleep with him, I swear. I’m glad you’ve moved on and you’re happy.”
“I moved on?” I repeat. “What an interesting way to say that you fucked my boyfriend. Honestly, I didn’t realize you had a thing for sloppy seconds.”
I hear Sebastian snort as Amelia chokes. “I’m sorry — I just —”
Sebastian interrupts her. “You should walk away now, Amber. My girl is just getting started, and you don’t want to be the target.”
“Your girl?” Amelia sputters. “Okay. Um, well. I’m sorry. I’ll go.”
Sebastian’s arms wrap around me from behind as we watch Amelia walk quickly across the street. His breath is warm against my ear as he whispers, “Sloppy seconds? Brutal. Absolutely brutal. Bet that felt good too, didn’t it?”
“It did,” I confess. His arms tighten momentarily before he drops them. I turn to face him. “I don’t believe I’d have been as forceful had I been alone. I appreciated having the support.”
He gives me a lopsided smile. “Anytime, Mami .”
“ Mami ?” I sputter, a horrified look covering my face. “I’m not a mom.”
He chuckles. “It’s the same as calling someone baby.”
“I have never heard that from anyone.”
His eyebrows raise. “Have you ever dated a Puerto Rican?”
I shake my head.
“That’s why.” He walks me to my car, then leans in to kiss my forehead, shocking me into silence. “You let me know when you’re finally gonna let me take you on that date, mi Cielo .”
Sebastian saunters away, and my eyes drift to unabashedly check out his butt.
He has a really nice ass.