Page 47 of Isabelle and the Beast

But in a way, I feelverygood about it.

I’m not patient when it comes to Isabelle, and she was taking longer than I expected to arrive in the study, so I went to check on her and…maybe eavesdropped more than I should have.

Isabelle’s friend, Jen, kept saying that we should kiss. I think I like this friend of hers. And apparently, Isabelle has been “dragging” Jen to every one of my movies over the last few years. Isabelle never seemed like a fawning fangirl, but maybe she knows how to keep her composure. Or maybe I really did frighten her when we first met. Either way, I’m flattered.

Isabelle didn’t say anything about wanting to kiss me, but if her friend’s words were any indication, she wouldn’t be opposed. And she didn’t say thatshedidn’t want to. Just that she didn’t thinkIwould want to.

Well, I do.

More than she knows.

Jen’s comments about Isabelle’s sisters were interesting, as well. She called them shallow, self-obsessed, and narcissistic. From the few interactions I’ve had with them, I’m not surprised to hear those descriptors. Is that what I expected from Isabelle, as well? Is that why I was so rude to her in the beginning? Granted, in general, I’ve always been more…let’s call it ‘direct.’ I don’t see the point in dancing around everyone’s feelings. I know what I want, and it’s quicker to get there right away.

But Isabelle won’t take that, and I respect that even more. She’s challenging me to be more considerate.

Like my mother.

Lionel is right; no one has challenged me since my mother passed away. I miss her dearly—the reason why I won’t spend much time in the theater—but Isabelle is filling some of the gaps her loss has created.

The more time I spend with her here in the castle, the more I realize I want to spend time with her outside the castle, as well.

Isabelle enters the study, wearing another of my sister’s dresses. It fits her frame, showcasing her curves, but the length hits an awkward spot on her calf. I only know this because Lily has her dresses custom-hemmed to touch her ankles. Her feet are covered in bunny slippers, which make me smile more than I should.

“You should have the tailor make you a dress,” I say in greeting. “I’m sure you’d enjoy wearing something that actually fits.”

She looks down at her dress. “Does it look that bad?”

“No,” I say quickly. “But a dress that fits you properly would be more enjoyable.”

“I guess.” She shrugs. “It’s not like I’ll be here for a long time. But it would be a cool memento to take home with me.”

A pang hits my chest at her mention of leaving soon, but Ijust nod. “Speak to Brigette and let her know to have the tailors meet with you.”

“Sure.” A sly smirk fills her face. “I need an occasion for this dress, though. Maybe you should bust out a tux and we’ll have a party.”

She’s teasing, but something about her makes me want to play along. “Maybe we will.”

She grins, then takes a seat next to me in the other wingback chair in front of the fire. “So. What are you thinking as far as interview prep?”

“Well, you never know for sure what these interviewers are going to ask. But there are a few basic answers you should have prepared, and many times you can spin their questions back to those answers.”

“Interesting.” She straightens in her seat. “Well, I’ve got all my favorites ready to go. You know, color, season, food–”

“Hang on, hang on,” I say, unable to hold back the laugh that erupts. “You’re not interviewing with Teen Beat, are you?”

“Uh…I don’t think so.”

“Unless you’re a seventeen-year-old heartthrob, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever be asked what your favorite color is.”

“Oh.” Her eyes flit down to her hands, and I feel a bit ashamed for making her doubt herself. She needs confidence right now, not embarrassment.

“But let’s warm up with those questions for fun, hey?”

One side of her mouth lifts in a grin. “Sure.”

Her grin warms my chest. “All right, let’s try again. So, Isabelle, what’s your favorite color? And why?”

“I love yellow. I love anything that has to do with the sun, especially since I take a walk every morning and every evening. Yellow, like the sun, makes me happy.”

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