“I saw the speech on the TV the other day. It wasn’t pretty.” Her brother took the menu and scanned it. He usually had the filet steak and fries.
She shook her head.
“He was really down afterward. I don’t know why he has this crazy idea about people turning into animals. It’s just making him a laughing stock.”
Her brother sipped his water.
“Crazy, yeah.”
She knew he was keeping something from her. It was the same way whenever they spoke about shifters. She should tell him what she saw happen with Zain but couldn’t risk it. Just the thought of Zain caused her heart to ache, and she placed her hand on it. He’d left her a few days after they’d slept together for the first time, and she’d watched him shift – although he didn’t know about that. She hadn’t seen him since. He’d broken her heart, and she should hate him, but she couldn’t. Deep down, she knew the reason he left her was because of what she’d seen. He’d protected her, given who her father was. She took a sip of her water, and the waitress came over to take their order. She was right; Kingsley had steak and fries.
“You thinking about Zain?” Her brother’s question had her head pop up from where it was staring at the empty glass.
“Always,” she replied honestly.
“You still love him?”
“I’ll love him until the day I die.”
“I’m having a party at my house this weekend. Why don’t we ask Dad if you can come? You can stay in my spare room? Maybe get to know some of my mates. I have a few single ones. You never know.”
“I don’t want to date,” she adamantly responded.
“You don’t have to date them. Just chat to people, and see where it leads.”
“I don’t want to sleep with them either.” She pursed her lips together and stared at him.
“As your brother, I’m glad to hear that. But, speaking as a person who likes sex, sometimes you just need to get laid.” He raised an eyebrow at her. This conversation was getting far too weird.
“Sex is what got me into this position in the first place,” she snapped back.
“I’ve told you a million times that he didn’t leave because he thought you were no good in bed. Zain had lots of issues after his parents’ death. He needed to work through them.”
“It’s been five years since he left.” The waitress arrived, and they remained silent while she put the food in front of them. Kingsley thanked her, and she winked at him. Her brother was a chick magnet. The waitress then glared at Isobel and left with a sway of her curvy hips. Kingsley sliced his first bite of the steak and popped it in his mouth. Isobel cut her tofu but suddenly didn’t feel hungry. There were too many memories in the honey sauce, which Zain always used to scrape clean from her plate.
“Five years is a long time. It’s another reason you need to try and date. See what happens.”
She shook her head.
“I can’t; I feel as though a part of my soul is missing. I don’t even know if Zain is still alive. I’d like to think that my heart would know if he weren’t, but I can’t do it, Kingsley. I can’t forget him. I can’t picture myself with anyone else. I’d rather stay single for the rest of my life. He was it for me. My life, my love, my everything. Without him, I’m nothing.”
“Izzy?”
“No. No more, Kingsley. Can we just eat please?”
“I’m sorry.” Her brother placed his knife and fork down and reached out to squeeze her hand in apology. She smiled at him in acceptance. The damage was already done, though. The memories had resurfaced, and later, when she was alone in her room, the tears would fall again for the missing part of her that she believed was still out there, somewhere. She just hoped that, wherever he was, he remained safe and happy. It was the best she could manage.