Page 55 of Love Unexpected
“What was that?” I said under my breath.
“That is what they call jealousy,” Tyler answered.
I hurried my pace, leaving Tyler behind and quickly catching up to Isaac. “Isaac, wait,” I called.
He didn’t turn until he reached the hatch of the Rabbit; he opened it, pulling out Tyler’s suitcase and setting it next to the car. “Our rooms are all on the same floor,” he said, not making eye contact, “so if you need anything, you can just text me.”
It was endearing that even though he was the star, the one who had the means and thus the justification to have other people doing things for him, making his life easier, he was the one unloading luggage and making sure I knew I could call him if I needed anything.
“Actually, I kind of have a really big favor to ask,” I said, wanting to stop him before he unloaded my luggage.
He looked up, finally meeting my eye, curiosity evident in his gaze. “Okay.”
“Remember my cousin Marley? Who texted me earlier about her kid?”
Isaac nodded.
“She lives not far from here. In Westonburg, forty miles east. Today was actually a really tough day for her, so I was hoping I might be able to borrow the car and drive out to see her. I’ll be back by morning, and it won’t interfere with our trip at all.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s how far?”
“Not far. About forty-five minutes.”
He pushed his hands into his pockets. “Cool. What if we all go?”
I stilled. “To see my cousin?”
“I’m actually getting a little concerned that we don’t have enough interesting content. A detour, a family visit, it could be good. Another connection we could emphasize, you know?”
That was the last thing I wanted. Marley was my family. And she was in crisis. She didn’t need a YouTube star and his film guy invading her personal life. “I don’t think so, Isaac. This is personal. I don’t really have any desire for it to be in one of your videos.”
“We’ve got plenty of content, man,” Tyler said, joining the conversation. “We always have more than you think.”
Isaac nodded. “All right. I guess—”
Tyler cut him off before he could finish his sentence. “I have some editing to do tonight so I’m going to be terrible company. But why don’t you two go see Rosie’s cousin?”
Something that looked a little like hope sparked in Isaac’s eyes. So he wanted to come?
“I could drive you if you want,” he said. “The car will need to charge, so I could drop you off at your cousin’s, find a place to charge up, and then come back for you.”
I’d hoped to spend the night, but it was only just after eight p.m. There was still plenty of evening left. And Isaac looked so earnest.
“I don’t have anything else to do,” he added, his tone a little sheepish.
Hedidwant to come. With me.Rosie.
Agreeing to the road trip to spend more time with Isaac had been a good idea. But this is what I’d really wanted. Time with Isaac without anyone else watching.
“No cameras?” I asked.
He nodded. “I need to do one final live stream checking in and noting our progress, but then, I promise. No cameras.”
I lifted my shoulders in what I hoped looked like a casual shrug. Itfelta little more like I was trying to scratch my ears with my shoulders, but neither man seemed to notice. “Okay,” I finally said. “I think I’d like that.”
Isaac grinned, the tension—jealousy?—that had been obvious in his shoulders completely gone. He walked toward me and pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Want to join me for this one?” he said, pulling up the Instagram app.
Tyler’s earlier warning flitted through my brain, but Isaac was standing so close to me. And the look in his eyes was so warm and welcoming. “Sure,” I said, pushing my hands into my pockets. “What do you want me to do?”
