Page 17 of Isabelle and the Beast

I’ve tried to lose my dependence on watching movies every night. A few years ago, I listened to a podcast about how important it is to get early morning and late evening sun for our bodies’ rhythms. So, every morning, I drink my coffee out on the balcony of our tiny apartment in LA. And every evening, Itake a walk around sunset time. My body’s clock seems to have aligned better ever since I’ve done that.

But here…I’m trapped. And I keep hearing a voice in my head that saysoutside, outside, outside.

The rich smellof coffee is the only thing keeping me awake right now.

I THINK I fell asleep for a grand total of thirteen minutes last night, only because I kept imagining the “Favorite Things” scene fromThe Sound of Music. But Brigette came in around seven this morning, singing loudly and offering to do my hair and makeup. When she saw how tired I was, she offered to let me sleep in, but the damage was done. There was no more sleep to be had.

So now I’m here in the kitchen with the staff at eight, trying to wake myself up with coffee and sugar. I’m wearing silk purple pajamas that must belong to Lily, because the pants cut off at my calves. They’re ridiculously comfortable, though, so even though they’re super short, I’m willing to endure a silly appearance.

And Lionel made good on the offer for slippers. Somehow they had a pair of fuzzy pink bunny slippers in my exact size. I look like a child, but I’m too tired to care.

“Ms. Lovett?”

“Hmm?” The sound of Brigette saying my name snaps me out of my stupor.

“More coffee, dear?”

I sigh, leaning my forehead on the table and stretching my arm out. “Yes, please,” I mumble.

Brigette chuckles as she fills my mug with more steamygoodness. “Rough night?”

“You could say that,” I reply.

I don’t know how I’m going to function.

And worse, I’m still stuck here. Because it’s STILL snowing.

I’m trapped in this castle prison with hardly any light…and Adam Stone. I just pray I don’t run into him anymore while I’m here.

“Are there any snow clothes I could wear? I’d really like to just step outside for a few minutes.”

“In this storm?” Brigette shakes her head. “We do have snow clothes, but you’ll have to wait until the snow lightens up.”

My heart sinks. “WhatcanI do today?” I ask. “Is there anywhere I can go to make sure I don’t see Adam?”

“That desperate to avoid him?” she asks with a playful smile. She sets down the coffeepot and taps her lips with her finger. “You could head to the library. I think that would entertain you for some time.”

I’m not much of a reader, but at this point, I’ll do whatever I can to distract myself from the snow falling outside. If only I had cell service. At least I’d be able to watch something or even call Jen.

The cooks are working busily to prepare breakfast, and it smells amazing. Pancakes and bacon and eggs have always been my favorite.

“Do you make breakfast like this every day?” I ask Mario.

Mario nods and faces me. “Mr. Stone actually prefers oatmeal, but he allows us to make whatever breakfast we want for ourselves.”

“Oh.” That’s actually pretty nice. I wouldn’t have expected that from him.

A rush of footsteps alerts me to Theodore’s presence. Today, he’s wearing a skin-tight spandex Spider-Man costume. He stretches out his hand to me, keeping his middle and ringfingers pointed at his palm, and makes “CH-CH” sounds, like he’s shooting a web.

“Well, good morning, Spider-Man,” I say.

He crouches down on the ground, one leg straight out to the side. “I’m actually Spin.”

“Ah, yes, of course.” I don’t know the difference, but apparently it matters to him. “Good morning, Spin. Are you ready to save the world today?”

He nods, his face solemn. “Green Goblin is in the library. I have to stop him.”

“You can’t go alone, Theo,” Brigette pipes in. “Where is Becca?”

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