Page 104 of Hidden Ascent

“A little. I haven’t seen you this uncomfortable in a long time. It’s charming to know being with another woman is so repulsive to you.”

“I’m glad one of us is enjoying themselves.”

Isla returned to the window, and Whitlock followed. She grabbed him by the lapels. “How’s this?” she said to Susan.

“What? That? That’s your big move?”

Isla could hear Jay snicker, but she ignored it. “Yeah.”

“You look like you want to throttle him.”

“I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”

“Isla, forgive my question, but haven’t you ever been desperate to kiss a man before?”

Isla cleared her throat, aware that Jay was listening. “I guess.”

“Do you remember how that felt?”

It still made her dizzy. “Yes.”

“Good. Stand in front of Lloyd. Take hold of him again like you did, but this time, I want you to close your eyes and remember that feeling. Then hold it, and open your eyes and don’t get distracted by the man you see before you. Pretend he’s someone else.”

“I feel as though I should be offended by that,” Whitlock said.

“Don’t worry. I’ve looked at you that way before.”

“Really?”

“You’ll recognize it when you see it.”

Isla took hold of his lapels again.

“Good,” Susan said. “Now close your eyes.”

Isla took a deep breath and complied. She thought back to when Jay had kissed her. She had fisted his shirt in her hands in a frantic attempt to get closer to him. It was the moment she had wanted the rest of the world to vanish. Instead of being afraid of it, she let it wash over her, then opened her eyes as the feeling lingered.

Staring through Whitlock, she saw nothing but the fog of the memory.

Susan clapped, and Isla blinked.

“That was brilliant. Whoever he was…wow.”

“Whoever who was?”

“The guy you were thinking of.”

“Oh, it’s not—it’s nothing. Thanks for your help. Jay, did you get that? Jay?”

“Uh, yeah. Yeah, I got it.”

Her face flushed, and she turned away from the window. “Good. That didn’t take too long.”

“Nope. But I will say that was enlightening.”

“It was nothing,” she mumbled so only he could hear her. “Because, like I said, we won’t do it again.”

“We don’t have to. I got the shot. It’s perfect.”

---