Page 20 of Isabella and the Slipper

“Then there you go. You should go for it.”

He stilled his pen. “Did you really flip a coin?”

“No. I just wanted you to figure out which one you really wanted to do.”

He laughed and sat back in the chair. “You’re a stinkin’ genius. Again. You’re like crazy smart.”

“Not really. I saw it onFrasier.”

“Well, I still think you’re crazy smart.”

She laughed, and he smiled. He liked the sound of her laugh. “Thanks, Chase,” she said.

“Are you thankful enough to tell me your name?”

“No.”

“Dang.”

“It’s getting late. I’d better go.”

Disappointment settled in his chest. “Okay. Talk to you tomorrow night?”

She hesitated. “Okay.”

“Great. Have sweet dreams, Five.”

“You too.”

Chapter 6

Isabella pocketed her phone and started up the lattice on the side of her house. After her work at the Vibrant Hue, she’d walked home, grabbed a bite to eat, then made a show of stomping up to her room. She locked the door and snuck out.

Mixed emotions tumbled inside her as she climbed. Getting paired up with Chase on the physics project was a turn of events she couldn’t have predicted. What if she slipped up and said something to reveal who she was? What if he recognized her voice? She’d tried to make her voice higher on the phone, but she wasn’t an actress.

Once he found out the truth, he would stop calling. She was so far from his type, she was on the other side of the planet.

She swung her leg over the balcony railing and hopped down. Sneaking back into her bedroom, she let out a breath. No one had missed her. Why would they? She did her work and then holed herself up in her room. That was her life outside of school.

She set her backpack on her desk and started on her homework. She could barely keep her eyes open as she finished her calculus. Two hours later she slipped into bed, too tired to change into her pajamas.

Loud chatter filled the lunchroom as Isabella and Savannah made their way to their usual table. Isabella set her tray down and took her spot. Savannah picked up her apple and took a bite. “How’s the lasagna today?” she asked with her mouth full.

Isabella picked up her fork and took a bite. “Mmm. Cheesy. Just the way I like it.”

Savannah wrinkled her nose. “I’ll stick with my rabbit diet.”

Isabella laughed. “I should probably join you. In ten years, you’ll be skinny and beautiful and I’ll be a fat slob.”

“You’ll never be fat. You eat whatever you want and never gain an ounce. If I look at a piece of cheesecake, I gain ten pounds.” Savannah rolled her eyes but had a hint of a smile on her lips.

“Hey, Isabella.”

The deep voice behind her made her jump. Savannah made a face that was a cross betweenWhat the heck?andOh, my gosh.Isabella turned to see Chase standing behind her, holding his lunch tray.

“Hi,” she squeaked.

“You still up for going out tonight?”

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