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“I thought it was kind of cool that your favorite animal is a shark.” She licked full lips and took a deep breath. “Maybe after camp, we can talk about that some more, too.”
This was the perfect time to put a halt to things. Tell her about Bridget. Say the kiss was mistake. The words stuck like peanut butter in his throat. He hated peanut butter.
“I’d like that,” he replied. The words were wrong. Saying them made him wrong, but damn, if he couldn’t stop thinking about her, then maybe he shouldn’t stop.
She let out a soft sigh that made him wonder if she’d been holding her breath. Was she nervous? Then she smiled and it was so beautiful and perfect he knew he had to tell her the truth. He never wanted to play with her emotions.
“I need to tell you something,” he said.
Arms wrapped around his waist from behind. A female body pressed against his back. “Surprise.” Bridget’s voice. His body went into panic mode.
Angela’s eyes widened. She took a step back. Isaiah felt scorching hot then freezing cold in the span of three seconds. Damn! This was not how things were supposed to go down.
Isaiah unwrapped Bridget’s arms and pulled her around to his front. “Bridget, hey, you’re here a day early.”
Bridget smiled a little too brightly and slipped her arm through his. She was nearly his height in heels, with striking features and a confidence that had only grown over the years he’d known her. Her natural curls were pulled up in a ponytail on top of her head and there wasn’t a crease in her cream blouse and gray slacks.
The exuberant welcome was unexpected. All of their conversations had been a little awkward since she’d admitted to being more excited about the job offer than coming here for him. She glanced at Angela and a flash of possessiveness hit her light brown gaze. Exuberance explained. Bridget had always served as his block for unwelcome attention from groupies. He used to appreciate it.
“I was able to snag an earlier flight and decided to surprise you. I like to meet the kids you work with.” She glanced back at Angela and held out her free had. “Hello, I’m Bridget. And you are?”
Angela stiffly took Bridget’s hand. “Angela. My nephew is part of the program. Are you one of the volunteers?”
Bridget’s laugh was so sharp with condescension it could have sliced steel. “No, I’m Isaiah’s girlfriend.”
Angela’s negative head-shake was so slight he would have missed it if he hadn’t watched her so hard. An ashen cast dulled her vibrant skin. Guilt and self-loathing created an acidic cocktail in his stomach.
“Oh.” Angela took a step back and glanced at Isaiah. “Well, I better go meet this girl that my nephew likes so much.”
Questions filled her eyes. He didn’t know what to say. There were no words. He had asked Bridget back but they hadn’t put a name on what they would be when she returned. Still, he couldn’t call Bridget a liar in front of Angela. Hurt flashed over Angela’s features before she quickly walked away.
Bridget turned to him. “Looks like I got here just in time.”
“Why do you say that?” The words were tight. He focused on Bridget, but the urge to go after Angela and say…something was like an itch he couldn’t reach.
“I saw how she looked at you. Another desperate woman trying to latch onto a basketball star. You can thank me later for stepping in. I know you hate women like that.” Bridget pulled her arm out of his and glanced around the room. “Introduce me to some of your friends and tell me how camp is going.”
Just like that, Bridget had dismissed Angela, viewing her as no sort of threat when really, Angela threatened everything he’d planned for the next step in his life. Before her, a life with Bridget had been his safe, secure and happy future. One conversation, one kiss and a simmering attraction later, and he was ready to throw away years of stability and companionship?
Isaiah looked into Bridget’s eyes. He didn’t feel the swell of need, excitement or longing he felt with Angela, but he did feel the trust, respect and, yes, happiness he usually felt when they reconnected. Just as anyone would when one of their best friends came to town. They needed to talk about their future—if they had a future—but now wasn’t the place.
