Page 12 of Finding Wonderland

“Fancy running into you here,” her eyes twinkled, and Isla flashbacked to their phone call earlier that week.

She had been so caught off guard by Vera’s phone call that she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it all week. Isla still didn’t know if Vera had been flirting with her or not. It was so hard to tell over the phone. There was no way to know if she was projecting Vera flirting with her.

Not that Isla wanted her to be flirting with her. She didn’t.

Or that’s what she kept telling herself at least. No one in their right mind would want to date her. And not that Vera wanted to date her; she couldn’t assume. But Isla had enough emotional baggage for a hundred lifetimes. Vera didn’t deserve that. She deserved someone who was better than Isla.

But none of that stopped Isla from wondering what it would be like to be friends with Vera. Maybe more someday down the road. Maybe. Her life was so messed up right now and getting back on her feet with Mason in Moonflower Cove had to be her top priority. That and getting an appeal in Blake’s custody case. Dating would have to wait until the timing was better, for all of their sakes.

“I got a new backpack!” Mason turned around, showing Vera the new backpack on her back. It was a Lisa Frank backpack with two Golden Retrievers sharing an ice cream dessert. Although it was more expensive than Isla planned to spend, she knew Mason could use it for the next few years. “Do you like it?”

“I love it!” Vera gushed over the backpack. “It looks so good on you.”

“I know.”

“Mason,” Isla scolded through a smile. “What are you supposed to say?”

“Oops.” Mason looked up at Isla apologetically before looking back at Vera with a smile on her face. “Thank you.”

Isla could see Vera holding back a laugh.

“You’re welcome, sweetie.”

“There’s a lunchbox too but Mommy said we can’t get it right now. But we’re going to get chocolate milk instead.”

Isla wanted to avoid Vera’s gaze, but it was impossible. Her eyes were sympathetic, which made Isla feel worse. The last thing she wanted was for people to feel sorry for her over her finances. Or really anything. She wasn’t one who readily accepted help; it wasn’t part of her personality.

Thankfully, Mason changed the subject for her.

“We’re having spaghetti tonight.”

“Oh, that sounds yummy!”

“Do you like spaghetti?”

“I do.”

Isla could see exactly where the conversation was going and didn’t know how to get her daughter to stop talking quickly.

But it didn’t matter. Mason asked Vera, “Do you want to come over for spaghetti tonight?”

“Oh.” Vera was clearly caught off guard, but she seemed to be trying to hide that from Mason. Isla could appreciate and understand that. She looked up at Isla, seemingly expecting her to answer for her. “Well, I’m—”

“Honey, I’m sure Dr. Forsyth has plans tonight,” Isla cut her off before she could finish her sentence.

“Vera.”

Isla narrowed her eyes at her.

“Call me Vera.”

That damn smile. How can one human be so pretty? Isla didn’t know how she hadn’t noticed it before. Maybe it was the scrubs Vera was wearing before. Or perhaps it was because she looked so natural and comfortable in the grocery store. Either way, Isla had to pull her thoughts away from Vera and back to Mason.

“But, Mom,” she whined, “she likes spaghetti.”

“I do,” Vera interjected with a smirk on her face.

Great. She’s enjoying this.

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