Page 3 of Love Unexpected
Greta looked at me sideways, obviously wanting to take my lead on how to answer the question. But how could I explain? I wasn’t about to own up to the fact that I’d fallen in love with Isaac when I was still in high school and watching his YouTube channel every day. And I wouldneveradmit that I’d left a job in Kansas City that paid me twice as much to move all the way to Charleston and work for Isaacbecauseof those feelings. I’d told Alex—the brother-in-law business manager who had done my interview—that I was looking for a change in climate and was happy to accept a pay cut if it meant sunny weather and sandy beaches. Which hadn’tentirelybeen a lie.
“How could that happen for anyone?” Greta finally said, clearly sensing my uncertainty. “Everyone knows who Isaac is. Rosie watched the show just like the rest of us. Even before she met Isaac in person, she still knew who he was.”
“I’m telling you,” Vinnie said, his voice soothing in a low, melodious way. “He really is the easiest person in the world to talk to. You shouldn’t be so terrified of him.”
“It’s not that I’m terrified,” I said. “I guess I just feel like if Isaac was going to notice me by now, he would have. We’ve even hung out a few times at Jade and Diedre’s. He barely notices me. You guys have seen the women that he dates, all tanned and toned and leggy. It’s not like I’m exactly his type.”
I’d had countless conversations with Greta about my crush, and I’d always known that Greta had likely told Vinnie about my feelings, but this was the first time he’d ever been in on one of our conversations. The reality of his participation, when he was so close to Isaac himself, was a little heady, and I had a hard time keeping my hands from trembling.
“Here’s the thing about Isaac,” Vinnie said. He glanced up, and I followed his gaze to Isaac’s office, where we could see him through the glass deep in conversation with Alex. “He’s amazing with people, right? So good at talking and making other people feel at ease. But he can also be a little clueless. He has a terrible track record when it comes to dating. And everyone close to him knows it’s because he’s dating the wrong kind of woman. We all see it. Eventually, he’ll see it too. But he might need some nudging.”
“What kind of womandoesIsaac need?” Greta asked.
As if conjured by our conversation, Isaac’s girlfriend slinked by wearing a tiny denim skirt and a pair of wedges that made her already long legs look even longer. She was sun-kissed and stunning and perfect, making me immediately uncomfortable in my graphic tee and striped blazer. I generally felt pretty good about my look on a day-to-day basis. My dark, curly, chin-length hair. My funky glasses and retro sneakers. But nothing made me feel insecure like a front-row seat to the kind of woman Isaacactuallynoticed.
“He needs someone who understands what makes him happy,” I said, my eyes still following the woman across the room. “Who knows Red Renegade and appreciates the depth of his loyalty to such an obscure band. Who can talk to him about books. Who appreciates smart wordplay or a good pun. Who likes scouring yard sales for old vinyl. And who will keep him grounded to reality in the midst of his fame and attention.”
Vinnie’s eyes widened. “Whoa. That’s pretty much dead on.” He looked at Greta. “Maybe we ought to get Dani involved. Nobody knows what Isaac needs better than she does. And one conversation with Rosie would probably be enough for Dani to realize it’s her.” He motioned to me with the hand that wasn’t wrapped around Greta’s waist.
My chest pulsed with heat at the thought that one of Isaac’s closest friends saw me as someone whom Isaac needed, but there was no way I was letting them pull Isaac’s twin sister into the mix. I’d met Dani a few times, and she was perfectly lovely. But she was also fiercely devoted to Isaac and married to his business manager. There was no way she’d keep my feelings a secret, and that wasn’t a risk I was willing to take.
“Absolutely not,” I said, shaking my head and turning back to my desk. “I don’t need anyone playing matchmaker. Especially not someone who would definitely tell Isaac that I’m interested.” I eyed Vinnie. “And you aren’t going to tell him either.”
“Don’t worry,” Greta said, standing up and nudging Vinnie out of her chair. “I’ve already sufficiently threatened him. He won’t say a word. Will you, Vincent?”
“I know what’s good for me,” he said with a sly grin. “What if we just tell Jade and Diedre? They could help nudge Isaac in the right direction.”
“No way,” I said, not wanting the suggestion to get even a second of consideration. “Jade knowing would be worse than Dani knowing. You guys know how fierce she is when it comes to Isaac.”
Jade was another one of Isaac’s original crew. She’d handled his social media until she’d gone off to school to get a marketing degree but had returned as soon as she’d graduated. Now she led the team that handled his social media and was point person for his public relations. Add to all that the fact that she was a loyal friend with strong opinions about what was and wasn’t best for Isaac? If anyone had the ability to make or break my chances of ever actually dating the man, it was Jade.
“But Jade likes you, Rosie,” Greta said. “You know she does.”
Ididknow. Greta and Jade had been quick to welcome me into their circle when I’d first arrived in Charleston. It had only been six months, but I considered them all good friends. Greta, Vinnie, Jade and her wife, Diedre. If I was hanging out with anyone after work, it was them. But that didn’t mean I was ready for Jade to know my secret. And not just because she was the only one of us besides Vinnie who was really close with Isaac.
“It doesn’t matter,” I finally said. “Just because Jade likesmedoesn’t mean she would likemeto be withIsaac.”
Vinnie pushed his hands into his pockets and caught my gaze. “You’re overthinking it, Rosie. None of Isaac’s friends or your friends need to be involved. Just make yourself a little more available. When we happen to all be hanging out, don’t hide like you usually do. Just talk to him.”
“I don’t hide,” I said indignantly. “Isaac rarely hangs out with us anyway.”
“He was at dinner last Sunday,” Greta said.
“And at the beach bonfire the weekend before that,” Vinnie said.
“That’s right,” Greta said. “Once Isaac showed up, you spent the rest of the night hunting for seashells with Max.”
“And it was time well spent,” I said pointedly. Max was Jade and Diedre’s oldest—four years old and the very best partner for seashell hunting.
Greta sighed. “You’re completely hopeless, you know that, right?” She motioned to my computer screen. “Come on. Back to work. I have things to do, and you need to get those sweatshirts live on the site.” Greta’s tone shifted from her friendly chat voice to her now-I’m-actually-your-boss voice, leaving no room for argument.
I sighed and turned back to face my computer screen, clicking through the last few steps before the sweatshirts were good to go.
My friends made it seem so easy. Like I could just stroll up to Isaac and start chatting like it was no big deal. But I had zero confidence in my ability to not flub up my words over and over again. I had even less confidence that if Ididtry, Isaac would see me as anything other than a slightly quirky girl who happened to be friends with his friends.
Chapter Two
Isaac
