Page 91 of Isabela

“Gael,” Aria moans, making me smirk before I scrape my teeth over her skin.

“Hey baby,” I say, reaching up and easily taking the bag of breadcrumbs from her. “Please come down from there before you make me nervous.”

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I easily lift her off the step stool before sliding her down my body and on her feet.

“I didn’t think it would be so high,” she admits, hugging me. “I’m making shrimp po boys for dinner, but ran out of breadcrumbs for the mac and cheese I need to put into the oven.”

“That sounds amazing,” I gush, loving the bright blush that spreads over her cheeks. Grinning up at me, she takes the bag of breadcrumbs and ducks around me.

“I wrote it in my book, and now I have a craving,” she confesses.

Shaking my head at the idea that her imagination can be so powerful that it creates an urge for food, I follow her out. Aria also makes her own character art for her books, but her publisher won’t use it. Instead, she uses it for giveaways on social media. God, I really want to stab her publisher.

Watching Aria bustle around the kitchen, I lean on the island.

“I don’t think I ever have been so happy to see Friday,” I say with a sigh. “This week has been ridiculous.”

Isa looks at me sympathetically as she nods. “I’ve been running around this week, and just got an email from the Dean that he wants to see me on Monday morning. It’s what Aria and I were just talking about. I’ve never been on his radar before,” she says. “I have no idea why he’d want to see me.”

Frowning, I wonder what the old coot is up to. “Will you text me before you go on Monday? Dean Hopkins isn’t dangerous, just an asshole. If he gives you trouble, text 911 to me. I’m kind of wondering if he’s going to pull the inappropriate behavior card here,” I grunt.

“I’m not your student,” she argues. “My tuition should also be paid. At least, I think it should be… Damnit, I really hate my uncle.”

“I don’t think he would call you in for money,” I say, shaking my head. “The administration office would email you if there was an issue. Going forward, we’ll need to sort out your tuition. I know this may piss you off, but I really don’t have an issue paying for it.”

“Lalalala,” Isabela sings. “I can’t take your money, Gael, but thank you. I’m just hoping I may be able to get the company turned around quickly, so I can pay myself a small salary. I don’t even care if it’s just to pay for my last year of school. Uncle Eli really fucked the company over.”

Blowing out a breath, I nod. We chat about other things until dinner is ready, and then I help plate with Aria.

“I was thinking about taking the two of you out this weekend. The weather is gorgeous,” I say as I take a bite of mac and cheese. My eyes close involuntarily as the flavors burst over my tongue. It’s the slightest bit spicy too.

Goddamn, my wife can cook.

“During the day? Ah, can we do it a little later?” Isa asks, biting her lip. “I want to finish writing this paper, and exams are in two weeks.”

I should have thought of that. As my eyes open again, I see Aria hiding a smile behind her fork. Brat.

“Why don’t we have dinner then tomorrow night and dancing?” I ask.

“I can get behind that, but nothing extravagant,” Isabela says.

Aria snorts, shaking her head. “My husband could do tacos and a club and still make it extravagant, Isa. Gael is just like that. Ignore the money, or it’ll make you crazy. I agree, have your boundaries about things like school if you want, but let me spoil you,” she says.

Isabela looks hesitant, and I shrug as I continue to eat. “Aria isn’t wrong. It’s my money, and I don’t even really pay attention to the fact that I have it most of the time. It simply makes things easier,” I explain. “For example, I am itching to buy a publishing company I found that’s having financial issues.”

“Gael!” Aria exclaims. She still laughs, so I count that a win.

“I know you told me not to, but these people will all lose their jobs if I don’t,” I say with a shrug. “This is not emotional blackmail, by the way, just the facts. They’re having some cash flow issues, but the bones are good, and they have talented people.”

“You’re meddling, aren’t you?” Isabela asks. She may as well see this part of me now. I’ll bend over backward to make the people I love happy.

“Maybe a little,” I admit. “Aria hates the publisher she’s currently with. They stifle her creativity, won’t let her use her own artwork for her books, and they’re pushing her to change her current work in progress. This came across my desk earlier this week.”

“They are not trying to change your book, are they, Aria?” Isa asks, outraged. Ha! That’s exactly how I feel.

“Yeah, they’re pushing for me to make changes,” Aria admits with a sigh. “It’s been really frustrating.”

“I like to help good people, so I emailed the owner,” I tell them. “I can come in as a silent partner, help them make the changes they need to sail smoother, and then step back. I am supposed to have a meeting with him in two weeks.”

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