Page 19 of Finding Wonderland

Isla felt her legs go weak. Every cell in her body screamed yes, but Isla could only nod. Vera’s lips met hers with such tender passion that Isla wasn’t sure how she was still able to stand. As she wrapped her arms around Vera, she pressed their bodies against each other. They were similar height, barely an inch in difference, which made everything about the kiss comfortable and sweet.

Time seemed to stand still as they kissed in the dim glow from the TV. Isla would have stayed there longer, but Vera took a step back. She exhaled sharply, keeping her arms around Isla’s waist.

“I have to go.”

“Did I,” Isla swallowed the lump that had rapidly formed in her throat, “do something wrong?”

“God, no, Isla.” Vera caressed her face against her palm. “I just know that if I stay here, more than kissing will happen. And I think we should talk about that before then.”

Isla swooned. Literally felt her knees sway under her. She’d never been treated with such respect before. Never. All the men she’d been with, even her ex-husband, had never once asked for consent or wanted to make sure she was ready for sex before they had it. It didn’t matter to them, but it clearly mattered to Vera. And it was one of the sexiest things Isla had ever witnessed.

“In case those kisses didn’t tell you,” Vera blushed, “I really like you, Isla.”

“That’s good, because I like you, too.”

“Well, that’s good,” she giggled. “Otherwise, that would have been super awkward.”

“Never.” Leaning in again, Isla placed one more kiss on Vera’s lips. “So, you mentioned dinner, just the two of us.”

“Are you free tomorrow night?”

“As a matter of fact, I am. I can drop Mason off with a sitter.”

“Meet me downtown at seven.”

Isla didn’t tell her that she’d be working the lunch shift at the bar or that she’d have to check with Maggie to see if it was okay if Mason stayed later. All of that was details that, at that moment, seemed to run in second place to a date with Vera Forsyth.

“Good. I’ll see you then. I’ll be the one in the dress looking hot.” With a wink, Vera kissed her cheek before turning to open the door. “Thanks for tonight, I had a great time.”

“Me, too.” Isla held the door open as Vera stepped outside. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Isla waited until Vera got in her car and drove out of sight before closing the door. Locking it, she walked over to the couch in a dazed daydream and plopped down. It had been way too long since Isla had been as happy as she was at that moment. Grabbing one of the throw pillows, Isla clutched it to her chest as she rolled over on her side to watch TV. A rerun of I Love Lucy had come on after they ended the movie and Isla smiled. She loved the show so much.

As it cut to commercial break, Isla yawned. It was barely past nine, and yet it felt much later. She was about to doze off when she heard an all too familiar voice on the TV screen.

“Blake?”

Scrambling to her feet, Isla ran over to the small TV. She fell to her knees in front of it, silently begging for another glimpse of her daughter. Isla didn’t recognize the show, so she assumed it was the new one that Ben had signed her up to be on without Isla’s consent. That decision ultimately led them to where they all were today.

As Blake’s character came on again, Isla let out a sob.

“Baby,” she cried as she ran her fingers across the screen. The glimpses of Blake were too short; not nearly enough to ease her battered soul. “Mommy loves you,” she said to the TV as the commercial ended.

Isla had no idea how long she sat there, begging the commercial to play again. Which it did several times. Each time Isla was torn between crying and smiling. Her tears made the most sense to her. Blake had been taken from her in the worst way and Isla didn’t know if she’d ever get to see her again.

However, it was the smiles that confused her. She wasn’t happy about the situation, not in the least bit. But there was something about seeing Blake happy and thriving that eased Isla’s broken heart just a little. Not much, but enough to help her get off the floor and go to bed.

Taking the picture of Blake off her nightstand, Isla clutched it to her chest.

Blake is safe. Blake is happy. Blake is okay.

She’d repeated the phrase almost every time she thought about her daughter. As badly as Isla wanted Blake back in her life, she had to cling to the fact that, at least for now, Blake was okay. Ben wasn’t an abusive man, not physically at least. He wouldn’t hurt her. And somewhere in his twisted brain, he thought he was doing the best for her. Just like Isla was convinced it was the wrong thing for her at her age.

But Isla was out of ways to get Blake back. Her last hope was an appeal from the judge, which Isla’s lawyer said was likely to be denied. Isla wasn’t giving up hope though. One day, she would see her daughter again. She had to hold onto that hope.

Not wanting to be alone, Isla made her way to Mason’s room and crawled into bed beside her. She gently rested a hand on her side, knowing Mason didn’t like to be cuddled. But even asleep, Mason must have sensed Isla needed her. Mason snuggled up against her and Isla kissed her cheek.

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