Page 52 of Love Unexpected
“True. And that question, I would never actually answer. Not outright, anyway. But there are ways you can answer questions without actually telling people anything.”
“Explain,” I said, folding my arms across my chest. The whole concept made me feel defensive on his behalf.
“Just try me,” Isaac said. “Ask me the questions the girls asked you earlier.”
I didn’t actually want to ask him point-blank ifIwas his girlfriend—we’d had enough teasing today already—so I modified the question just slightly. “Do you have a girlfriend?”
“When I’m in a relationship I’m ready to share with the world, I’ll be sure to let everyone know.”
Huh. That was pretty good. He answered without actually confirming or denying the presence of a relationship.
“Okay, how about this one. Is the woman in Kansas the reason you and Bridget broke up?”
Isaac pursed his lips. “That one’s tougher. Okay, how about: Bridget is a lovely person, and we’re still friends. We’re both excited to be moving in new directions.”
“Is that actually true?” I asked him.
“Sort of. I mean, I’m happy to be her friend as soon as she returns my vintage 1987 Red Renegade t-shirt.”
“I saw her wearing that shirt,” I said, feeling vindicated that Isaac hadn’t actually given it away. “The one from their limited-edition album, right?”
He glanced away from the road long enough for me to see the question in his eyes. “Yeah, but I thought you didn’t know Red Renegade’sstuff.”
Well, hell.How was I going to backpedal out of this one?
“No, I don’t. I didn’t. But Bridget was wearing it at the pool party at Jade and Diedre’s, and I told her I liked her shirt. She’s the one who told me what it was.”
Isaac nodded, appearing somewhat appeased. “I guess she’d heard me tell her enough times how important the shirt was. I shouldn’t be surprised that she remembered enough to explain it to you. But it never felt like she was actually listening.”
“Yeah. She told me she only took it because she liked the colors. She still hasn’t given it back?”
He shook his head. “Nope. And I’m not sure she ever will.”
I was already playing with fire what with how close I’d come to outing myself. But I couldn’t stop myself from asking one more question. “Howdidthe break-up with Bridget go? Did you order her dinner to go?”
“I did. And she took it home with her, so thanks for that suggestion. Actually, you’ve given me good suggestions a few times now. It’s like you’re my own private relationship guru.”
My stomach tightened. There was nothing worse that he could have said.
Tyler leaned up and smacked Isaac on the back. “She’s a good friend, right? Giving you girlfriend advice. Coming on the road trip. She’s just like one of the guys.”
Ouch.This just kept getting worse and worse.
“No,” Isaac said quickly, shooting Tyler a weird look. “That’s not what I...she’s not—”
“It’s fine,” I said, cutting him off. Things had already gotten bad enough. I didn’t need to hear Isaac’s excuses or explanations of me and what I meant to him. “I’m glad we’re friends, and I’m always happy to give you advice.”
“I appreciate that,” Isaac said, still throwing daggers over his shoulder at Tyler. “You’re easy to talk to, Rosie. So I’m grateful you’re willing to listen.”
Something had happened between the two friends. There was obviously some implied meaning to Tyler’s comment that had frustrated Isaac. But what? And why? We were on our way to meet Ana. Why would Isaac have any reason to feel defensive about Tyler calling me one of the guys?
I thought back to the moment on the elevator when Isaac had offered to introduce me to Tyler. Sothatwas the look he’d given me earlier that morning when he’d first asked if I’d met Tyler before. He was suggesting I might be interested inmeetingTyler.DatingTyler.
Hot emotion pulsed through me, a combination of fear and anger and embarrassment all rolled into one. This trip was not going to end well. Isaac reallydidsee me as one of the guys. Or as a personal relationship guru, whatever that meant. Which meant he couldn’t possibly see me as potentially datable material.
If the sadness that swelled inside me at the thought did anything at all, it told me just how big my feelings for Isaac had actually become. I still had my doubts. Fears about Isaac’s life in the public eye. But if the thought ofnothaving a relationship with him affected me so keenly? Those doubts couldn’t be taking up too much room in my heart.
Which meant the potential rejection at the end of this whole ordeal was only going to hurt that much worse.
