Page 50 of Isabelle and the Beast

Yikes.

Better to just move on, unaffected. “I may have seenQuantum Directive, but it’s not my favorite movie.”

“But itismy best film,” Adam says, leaning toward me.

I shrug a shoulder. He’s not wrong. Not only was he ridiculously handsome in his black suit, but he was intelligent, charismatic, flirtatious… My cheeks flame just thinking about how Jen and I squealed in the theater when he finally kissed the female lead.

Aaaaand now I’m thinking about kissing Adam.

“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!” I say, quickly shifting the conversation back to my favorite movie.

He sits back in his seat. “Really?”

I nod. “I know it’s got misogynistic overtones, what with the brothers all kidnapping the girls and making them fall in love with them, but the music and the dancing…”

“Is Adam your favorite character?” he asks, teasing.

“Ew, no,” I laugh. “It’s Ben for sure. The winter scene is…” I make a chef’s kiss gesture. “Besides, Adam just disappears and leaves everyone alone while he broods in the cabin.”

Adam’s expression sobers, and I realize how strange it is that this Adam in front of me did exactly what Adam in the movie did by running away from his wife and brothers.

I clear my throat. “But nothing compares to that barn raising scene. The dancing is absolutely incredible.”

Adam gives me a small smile. “It is.”

I tilt my head at him. “Wait, so you’ve seen it? I thought you didn’t?—”

“Next question,” he interrupts, any hint of a smile completely vanished.

Just when I think I’m getting somewhere with him, he completely shuts down. I keep getting glimpses of who he is under his stony exterior, and it feels like someone I could bond with. But now he’s all business.

So we talk about other favorites. No, not raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, but favorite foods (his is filet mignon with a blue cheese crust, mine is beef wellington, which I don’t get to eat very often) and favorite places to be (his is the snowy mountains, mine is the beach in Hawaii).

Lionel comes in as I’m describing the cliff overlooking the ocean by the seven sacred pools in Maui. “Mr. Stone, your aunt is calling.”

“Agatha?” He furrows his brow, then stands. “I’ll take the call—” He cuts himself off, looking at me, then sits back down. “Actually, I’ll take the call here. She can meet Isabelle.”

Lionel bows his head and leaves to get Adam’s phone.

“Agatha is…interesting,” Adam says to me. “But I think she’ll provide some entertainment for our evening.”

I’m about to ask what he means, but Lionel comes in with Adam’s phone, and my jaw drops at the sight on the screen. An elderly woman…dressed as a pirate wench, complete with an eye patch.

“Hello, Aunt,” Adam says, a small smile on his lips. “You’ve chosen an interesting ensemble.”

“Yes, you should try the eye patch,” she says, her thick British accent tinging her words. “It’s partly inspired by you and your injury, after all. I’m not sure how you function, being unable to see through your eye.”

Adam clears his throat, visibly uncomfortable. So heisblind in one eye.

Agatha takes it all in stride. “I’m so glad I’m able to get through to you. Was your cell service cut off again?”

“Yes, it’s been snowing.”

“In May? Ah, you must have been in quite a foul mood.”

Wait…was Lionel telling the truth about the weather being dependent on the resident’s mood?

No way. That’s too silly.

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