“Hard to miss that ego of yours.” She turned to Sophie. “No, I did not need to be rescued.”
“Don’t let her fool you. She needed my help,” he assured Sophie, then winked at Isabelle. “Not sure there will be much left of my ego by the time you’re finished with me, Blondie. You pack a punch.”
Isabelle rolled her eyes. “I think you’ll survive, soldier boy.”
Eyes huge, Sophie’s jaw dropped. “You have nicknames for each other?”
“No.” Why had she called him soldier boy?
“Yes,” Zach said at the same time with another dimpled grin.
“That is so sweet. I don’t think she has ever had a nickname other than Izzy.” Sophie’s glee was so palpable Isabelle could feel it coating her skin.
She needed to get her sister away from Zach. Pronto. Glancing around, she spotted the Butterflies.
“Oh! There’s Maybelle. I think she wants to talk to you.”
Sophie gave her a dubious look. “I was just talking to her before I came over here.”
Okay, dumb comment, but could Isabelle help it if her neurons didn’t fire when Zach was nearby? Or more like every nerve cell in her body was firing, only not in any way that made logical sense.
“Isabelle is trying to politely make an exit without breaking my heart by refusing my breakfast invitation.” Zach sighed, sounding as if he was disappointed.
“Breakfast invitation?” Sophie’s palms slapped together with giddiness.
Isabelle’s were itching to throttle Zach. He might have just met Sophie, but he’d immediately recognized her as an ally to getting his way.
“I asked her to have lunch with me tomorrow, but she has to work.” Zach made a production of shrugging his broad shoulders. “I offered breakfast, instead.”
“You didn’t need to tell Zach no because of the shop. I can manage while you’re at lunch.” Sophie’s hand flattened against her chest while she talked. “It would feel good to do something for you for once. You’re always covering for me when I zip out for one reason or another. Please go, Izzy. I insist.”
Could Isabelle just slide behind the foyer’s big Christmas tree and hide? Ugh.
Taking a deep breath, she told her sister, “You’re missing the point. I don’t want to go to lunch with Zach.”
“Yes, you do. I can tell,” Sophie assured. “Oh, Izzy, this is exciting.”
Isabelle rubbed her temple. “No, it really isn’t.”
“Lunch it is, then.” Zach’s eyes twinkled. “Shall I pick you up at eleven?”
“One,” she shot back, then realized what she’d done. She’d just agreed to go to lunch with Zach.
“One it is.”
“No, I’ll meet you at—” Not at Lou’s because there would be a crowd on a Saturday afternoon. She didn’t want anyone to see her having lunch with Zach. The Butterflies would go into a matchmaking frenzy. “How about I pack sandwiches and we walk to the park? There are picnic tables by the river where we can eat.”
“A picnic by the river?” His gaze reflected that he knew exactly why she’d made her suggestion. “Sounds romantic. Good idea.”
“That does sound romantic.” Sophie’s smile was so big it had to be hurting her face. It hurt Isabelle’s face.
She shot Zach a cool-it look but wasn’t surprised that he ignored it.
“Should I borrow a blanket from Sarah in case it’s chilly?” he asked, lips twitching.
Sophie looked as if she was going to start bouncing around like a kid on Christmas morning.
“I work at a quilt shop,” Isabelle reminded through gritted teeth. “If we need a blanket, I’ve got us covered.”
