Page 82 of Isabelle and the Beast

I pull her hand off my face. “Brown. But I would know that with both eyes covered.”

She laughs and holds me again, leaning her head on my chest. “I can’t believe it.”

I wrap my arms around her, contentment running through my body. “Even if I were blind in both eyes, I would be happy to just be here with you.”

Before she can respond, Lionel’s voice sounds from inside the castle. “Mr. Stone? And…Ms. Lovett? Is that you?”

“Yes, it’s me!” Isabelle says cheerily. “It’s good to see you, Lionel. And thank you and the rest of the staff for your attempts to help.”

“Help?” I ask, turning to Isabelle. “What does that mean?”

She waves a hand. “We’ll talk about it later.”

Lionel has a faint blush but just clears his throat. “Mr. Stone, your sister is calling.”

Reluctantly, Isabelle and I stand and walk to Lionel.

“Perhaps you’d like to dry off first?” he asks.

“Yes.” I look over at Isabelle. “I’ll meet you in the theater? We’ll talk to Lily there.”

She nods and kisses me once more.

I tell Lionel to relay the message to Lily, take the fastest shower of my life, and head into the theater. I’m unsure whatLily wants, but I’m also anxious to be with Isabelle. To my surprise, Isabelle walks in a minute later. She settles in next to me on the couch, and I take a moment to relish the fact that she’s here next to me.

Isabelle leans her head on my shoulder and sighs. “All right. Let’s call Lily.”

I pull out my phone and dial her number, and Lily answers right away.

“Hey, Adam,” Lily says.

“Hey, Lily. I’m here with Isabelle. Everything okay?”

“Oh! Hey, Isabelle. Um, yes. Well, you might not agree, because you’re so worried about protecting me and all that, but everything is fine. I’m fine. You’re fine. Or, you’re going to be.”

“Lily. Stop rambling. What’s going on?”

Isabelle speaks up. “Is this about the articles?”

I turn to her. “What articles?”

Isabelle’s mouth opens, then closes. “You don’t know anything?”

I shake my head slightly, and Lily speaks. “I’m going to send you a couple of links. Don’t overreact.”

Those are two words I really don’t like. “What is happening?”

“Bye, Adam!”

She hangs up. I look over at Isabelle. “Do you know what that’s all about?”

Isabelle bites her lip. “I might have an idea.”

The phone buzzes in my hand. First is a link to an article. I click it and read yet another article by my dear friend Allegra at Inside Scoop. The article talks about five women who claim that Tristan Jackson manipulated them into falling in love with them, only for him to take something from them (money, an opportunity, a connection) and leave them heartbroken and alone.

Sounds familiar.

“Did you have something to do with this?” I ask Isabelle.

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