Page 51 of See You Next Month

“We’re used to hearing the waves lap onto the beach,” Kelsey explained. “That’s why it’s so quiet.”

“I think you’re right,” Isabella said. “Okay, I’m going to FaceTime you.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I want to see your house and your face. Come on, accept the call.”

Kelsey connected the call and Isabella’s smiling face appeared on her screen.

“Happy New Year, Kels!”

Kelsey chuckled. “Happy New Year, Bella.”

“Now, show me around,” Isabella said. When Kelsey frowned she added, “Do you have anything better to do?”

Kelsey giggled. “No. I’m having a beer,” she replied, holding up the bottle. “Do you have any?”

“No, but I have wine.”

“Pour yourself a glass and I’ll show you around,” Kelsey said. She waited as Isabella went into the kitchen. Kelsey could hear her opening the door to the refrigerator and getting out a glass. It reminded her of their evenings on the beach at Coral Bay.

Yep, they were living an everyday life with their vacation life right alongside it. Kelsey smiled and thought she wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else but Isabella Burns. Funny, she’d had that same thought a week ago when the idea was born.

“Okay, Kels. I’m ready. Let’s go.”

Isabella laughed as she watched Wyatt and Gus playing each other on a video game. Their characters were racing through a magical desert and Gus had just run Wyatt off the road.

“I’m coming for you, bro,” Wyatt said with fake malice.

Gus giggled and Isabella relished the sound. There were times when Gus still laughed with joyous little boy glee even though he was getting older.

Her phone dinged with a text and Isabella smiled as she viewed it.

“Who’s that?”

Isabella glanced at where her mother sat at the kitchen island next to her. Marti Raines had raised Isabella to be a confident woman and not be afraid to go after what she wanted. “Nosy, Rosy.”

“I am not,” Marti said. “If you could see the smile on your face you’d know why I’m asking.”

“What does that mean?”

Marti gave her a smirk. “It means you’re smiling. The boys are the only ones that make you smile like that anymore.”

Isabella furrowed her brow. “I smile, Mom.”

“Come on, who is it?”

“It’s probably her friend Kelsey,” Wyatt said from the living room.

Isabella looked at her mom and then to where her boys were battling it out with their game controllers in the living room. “How do you know that?”

“Duh,” Wyatt said. “You’ve been talking about all the fun stuff you did with her since we got home.”

“What kind of fun stuff?” Marti asked, leaning a little closer.

Isabella chuckled. “Beach stuff, Mom. Kelsey sent me a picture of her and her girls in shirts we bought them in St. Thomas,” she explained.

“Let me see,” Marti said.

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