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“Then why did you kiss me back?”
“Because I like you,” he said honestly. “But, I’ve known Bridget since college. We dated then, and off and on after I was drafted. A little over a year ago, we took a break while she finished law school, but we still kept in touch.”
Angela smirked and flipped her hair. “Kept in touch? We’re adults—you two continued to hook up.”
He shook his head. “It wasn’t like that. I dated other women and I haven’t seen Bridget in months. I prefer to keep things simple without any drama. My relationship with Bridget has always been simple.” He waited for a response, but Angela didn’t say anything. “Before her graduation, I asked her to consider moving to Jacksonville so we could try having a relationship again. She agreed, got a job here and moved back this week.”
“Are you in love with her?” Angela asked.
Isaiah considered the words, but he already knew the answer. They’d been apart for a while. He had love for Bridget, and he’d figured her coming to town would give them both the chance to fall in love with each other again. “I care about her.”
Angela’s stare was skeptical. “But you asked her to move here. That must mean you feel a little more for her than care.”
“I trust Bridget. A guy in my position can’t be too careful when it comes to relationships. People are always trying to get a piece of you. I didn’t want to go through the trouble of figuring out if a woman was into me or what I can do for her. I don’t have to worry about that with Bridget.”
“What about love, passion, fire?” She toyed absently with the circular charm of her necklace. The movement drew his eye to her cleavage. He might have thought she was teasing him on purpose, except for the genuine confusion in her voice.
Isaiah forced his attention from the lush brown skin of her décolletage back to her face. “Just as important as mutual respect, stability and comfort.”
Angela brought the charm to her nose for a few seconds, then dropped it and shook her head. “If I ever get married, I plan to have all of that. I won’t settle for just being with a guy because it’s comfortable.”
As much as he didn’t want to think about her married to another man, her statement piqued his curiosity. “If? You don’t think you’ll get married one day?”
“I’m not sure I want to get married.” She reached over to the pizza box and lifted the top. “I’m not into the idea of being dependent on someone. I like being able to take care of myself and doing what I want without answering to anyone else.”
“That’s not what marriage is about,” he said, slightly amused by her defiant tone. “Marriage is a mutual partnership.”
She gave him a whatever smirk. “Someone is always expected to give more in any partnership. You know I’m telling the truth because you’re smiling.”
“I’m smiling because I hope you’re joking. What you’re describing is called compromise. When you love someone you’re willing to give on things.”
She chuckled. “Okay, what would you be willing to compromise?” She put a slice of pizza on a paper plate and handed it to him.
Isaiah took the plate. He met her beautiful eyes, sparkling with amusement, and answered without thought. “Anything to make you happy.”
Her eyes widened. Then her amusement swirled to what he thought was longing before her brows drew together and she looked away. Embarrassment flooded his system.
“You know what I mean,” he said quickly. “I’d do whatever was necessary to make whomever I’m with happy.”
Angela put another slice of pizza on a plate. “I think staying away from me would make Bridget happy.”
“But it won’t make me happy.” Apparently, he was just going to say whatever came to his mind right now.
Angela put the plate in her lap. They were quiet while she pulled the pepperoni off the pizza. “Me, neither, but you asked her here,” she said in a resigned tone. “I can tell you’re not the type of guy to mess with me while you’re still involved with her.” She met his gaze. “And I’m not the type of woman who’ll come between you two.”
