Page 14 of Castle's Cards

“Izzy.” Izzy narrows her eyes. “You’re the one taking me to riding lessons, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“I don’t even know you.” She shakes her head.

“Well, maybe not yet, but you will. I work with your sister.” My tone is patient, far more patient than I usually am with people. But I want to make the best impression I can with her sister.

“What are your intentions with my sister?” she asks. I resist the urge to laugh, instead clearing my throat. Even though Izzy is just seventeen, she’s clearly wise beyond her years. Much like anyone who’s gone through a traumatic childhood. Probably like Addy was at that age.

"I really care about Addy," I reply honestly. "I want to get to know her better, spend time with her, and see where things go. I want to make her happy."

Izzy's expression softens but I can still see the caution in her eyes.

“You better treat my sister right. She’s an amazing person who deserves to be treated well.”

I nod, giving her a reassuring smile.

"I promise I will never intentionally hurt Addy. I only intend to make both her and your lives better."

Izzy studies me for a moment, her eyes searching mine for any signs of deception. Finally, she lets out a sigh and uncrosses her arms. A small win for me.

"Fine. But if you hurt her, you'll have to answer to me."

I smile gratefully, but inwardly I can’t help but laugh. How intimidating can a seventeen year old be?

"Deal. I promise to do everything in my power to make your sister happy."

I hold out my hand. Izzy hesitates for a moment before shaking my hand, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"All right. But remember, I'm watching you. I’m always watching."

“You’re not giving Carter any trouble are you, Iz?” Addy says, coming to the door as she pushes turquoise earrings through her ears.

“Of course not!” Izzy brightens, smiling up at her sister. I have to push down my laughter so as not to out her. She’s a tricky one, I can tell.

“Better not.” Addy shoots Izzy a look who only smiles angelically. “Come on in, Carter. I’m almost done getting ready.”

Izzy steps aside and I walk into the apartment. It’s small but homey, the white walls covered with pretty landscape paintings and a comfy looking couch pushed against the wall across from the modest television. Izzy hops on the couch and pulls out her cell phone, scrolling through some sort of social media.

I watch Addy as she breezes around the small apartment in her jeans and blouse, looking relaxed on her day off. She shoves her feet into sneakers and shakes out her long, wavy dark hair before shooting me a smile and gesturing me toward her.

“Do you want a cup of coffee?” she asks me, already pulling two mugs out of the cabinet.

“I’m not allowed,” Izzy says from the couch. She sounds particularly annoyed about the fact. “I get too hyper.”

“I’ll take one, yeah,” I tell Addy. I want to come up behind her and wrap my arms around her, feeling her warm body against mine as I had the night before, but I don’t since I’m unsure how she feels about public displays of affection in front of her sister.

“Cream? Sugar?”

“Black is fine.”

I take my coffee and sip it slowly, savoring the warm liquid as Addy does the same. It feels so easy, so domestic. It feelsright,the two of us just sitting in a kitchen and drinking a cup of coffee. I’ve had something like this before, something warm and familiar, but I don’t let myself think about it. I don’t want to live in those memories.

Izzy walks through the kitchen door, slipping her phone into her pocket. She looks at me and smiles. I smile back.

“So you had sex with my sister.” Izzy looks at me pointedly.

My coffee sputters from my mouth and I look at Addy with wide eyes, wiping my chin.

---