Page 59

“Your family is great, David,” she says, pausing by her front door. As usual, Mo is scratching from the other side of the door.

“Thanks for coming with me. It was really nice having you there,” I tell her honestly. “They loved you, like I knew they would.”

Her eyebrows draw together slightly. “Then why do you look sad?”

I sigh and nervously push my glasses up higher on the bridge of my nose. “This is going to sound ridiculous.” I shuffle from one foot to the other. “I know we’ve only been on one date… but I have this really great feeling about us. Feelings aren’t usually my barometer, I prefer facts. But there’s something special here.”

She takes a deep breath. “I have the same feeling.”

“You should accept that sponsorship from Monaco Hotels, live your dreams, travel the world, and write incredible articles about all of it to inspire people. I want that for you, I really do… I’m just not sure where I would fit into all of that.”

The corners of her round eyes appear to slant down, making her look like a sad little kitten. I want to scoop her up, take her home with me, and tell her everything will be okay. But she’s not a kitten, she’s a grown woman with an adventurous spirit that would feel suffocated if I tried to keep her here. And the last thing I want is to make her feel that way when her parents are already accomplishing that.

“I want to be with you, make my parents proud, and have a job that I love.” She closes her eyes and shakes her head slowly. “But I don’t know how to make all of those things happen. I feel so overwhelmed.”

Facing her, I take both of her hands in mine. “I don’t want to make you feel pressured. We can try the long distance thing. Maybe it won’t be so bad?”

We both know that’s a lie. I can see the doubt in her eyes because it mirrors my own.

“We don’t have to figure this out right now. Get some rest and I’ll see you tomorrow?” I lean in to kiss her forehead and she wraps her arms around my waist, pressing her cheek against my chest.

Walking back to my house, my heart feels heavy. I hate the thought of Isa being far away from me… but I cannot become another hurdle just getting in the way of her dreams. If I love her, I’ll encourage her to pursue her dreams.

Love? I stop abruptly in front of my house. Am I already in love with Isa?

I care for her… deeply. But love? Surely it’s too soon for that.

Chapter twenty-five

Isabella

The next morning I receive a phone call from an international number. I assume it’s spam, but answer it anyway.

“Hi, am I speaking with Isabella Romero?” It’s a woman’s voice with a delightful European accent, possibly French?

“This is her.” My coffee has finally finished brewing. I take the pot and start pouring coffee into my new mug that I purchased from the travel company that hosted our Machu Picchu excursion. It has the same design that our guides had on the back of their t-shirts: a llama wearing sunglasses with the words, Only you can prevent drama.

“Wonderful! This is Bridget Lecour from Monaco Hotels. Is this a good time to chat?”

I stop mid-pour and thrust the coffee pot back into the coffee maker. “Oh! Yes, now is fine.”

“I wanted to follow up with you and see if you received my email?” There’s noise in the background like she’s at the airport.

“Yes, I did. Sorry I haven't responded. I needed some time to think, but I’m very interested in your offer.” I take my coffee mug into the living room and sit on the sofa.

“Fabulous! I actually just arrived in Kansas City for a marketing conference at our hotel here.”

I set my mug down on the coffee table and open my laptop so I can make notes if I need to. “Really? That’s only a few hours from me.”

“I know this is very short notice, but would you be able to come up sometime today or tomorrow? I could show you the hotel and we could discuss the sponsorship contract.”

I glance at the clock on my laptop. It's just after nine now, and I don’t have to be at work until 4:30. “I could be there by noon today. I just have to be back here for work tonight, so I’ll only have a few hours.”

“Perfect! I can squeeze you in from twelve to two!” A loud overhead announcement comes over the speaker in the background and she pauses until it’s done. “I’ll text you the address. Is this a good number?”

“Yes, this is my cell,” I tell her, wondering how she got this number in the first place. I suppose it’s easy enough to find on Google.

“See you then, Ms. Romero!” The way she says my name with her fancy accent makes it sound so fancy.