Page 49 of The Love Operation

“The audacity! That bastard. Twice. Those bastards.” I reach for his hand, curling my fingers lightly over his. “I am so sorry.”

“You live, and you learn.”

“That’s a lot of learning.”

His eyes flick to mine. “And yet, here I am, willing to try again.” He nods, like he’s answering a question I haven’t asked. “I went through a phase, about a month, where I was convinced I’d be a perpetual bachelor, but then my youngest brother got married a couple months ago, and he’d had a rocky start. So, I thought, maybe third time’s the charm.”

“How long ago was your not-wedding?”

“A year ago. After that, I decided to focus on work. I got this COO job, and then I met you in the doctors’ lounge that night. I knew I was in trouble.”

I smile, but I’m stuck on something he said earlier about wanting everything “just so.” I ask carefully, “Were you . . . controlling?”

He shrugs. “After Marion, I had trust issues. I wanted to avoid the same fate. Obviously, that didn’t work. But yeah, to somebody else, I could see how they could get there.”

It’s a solid explanation.

His lips twist wryly, then he shifts, resting an elbow on his knee. “Okay, enough about me. What’s your story?”

For a second, I freeze. I mean, I should’ve anticipated him turning the question on me. It’s not exactly common for a woman in her mid-thirties—who wants to get married—to still be single. Maybe it’s more common these days, but still.

“Well.” I’m suddenly hyperaware of my body language. “I guess I just haven’t found the right person.”

Something inside me tightens at my own words. Because I thought I had, before Benedict left me, and then all the others followed suit.

“You have high standards.”

I huff a quiet laugh. “I don’t know. My relationships just seem to fizzle after the first few months.” I pause, then admit something I hadn’t planned to. “I think something might be wrong with me.”

Instead of looking horrified, Isaac smiles. Then, slowly, he reaches over and traces a thumb over my cheek. “Nothing is wrong with you, Cordelia.” His voice is warm and intense. “It’s the men. They’re intimidated.”

“I don’t know.”

“I do.” His lips curve slightly. “You’re terrifying. Gorgeous. Brilliant. Accomplished. You know what you want. Most guys can’t handle that.”

I wanted to believe that, once. But I don’t think that’s it.

I don’t argue, though, just offer a teasing smile.

“You just need the right man,” he adds, voice dipping lower, his gaze holding mine. “Have you ever been in love?”

The question lands like a bullet to the ribs. My mind instantly flashes to Benedict, and I’m suddenly sucked into a memory. His hand in mine. My smile reflected in his. The warmth of his touch seeping into my skin like sunlight. The way he looks at me.

A gasp careens up my throat.

Isaac is beside me in an instant. “Hey. Cord?”

I shake my head, scrambling for my water and downing half the glass. The memory was so real, so visceral. It completely sucked me in.

I forgot. I forgot I could do that.

“I’m sorry.” Isaac exhales, watching me carefully. “Did I get too deep too soon?”

I force out a breath, trying to ground myself, trying to lighten the moment that feels suddenly heavy. “I was in love. Once.”

Isaac doesn’t speak, just waits, an indecipherable expression on his face.

“We met in college.” My fingers tighten around my glass. “We were planning our future together, and then one day, he was just . . . done. We were done.” I take another sip of water, throat tight.