Page 97 of The Widower
Colin stopped just inches from me, and my mouth went dry. The way he looked at me—steady, focused—made me lose all sense of composure. Acting normal around him was almost impossible.
“I know.”
“Then what’s the point?”
“You know what your problem is, Isabelle?”
“Oh, I’ve got plenty,” I muttered. “Don’t even ask me to list them.”
“I won’t. I’m giving you the chance to find out if this is really what you want for your life.”
This, meaning architecture… or him? My brain, of course, went straight to the second option.
“I like it.”
“The idea?”
“Not that. Well… what you’re becoming.As a man.”
Colin narrowed his eyes but didn’t say a word. For a moment, I couldn’t quite read what was behind that expression. I wasn’t about to test his patience, though—he’d been surprisingly good to me and my family, despite everything.
“Tell me more…” He stepped closer, and I instinctively backed up.
“It’s just that… I like how you’ve been treating people. Your son, especially,” I blurted out, stumbling over my words.
“I see.”
He took another step, and when I backed away again, my shoulders hit the wall.
“So… what’s the first lesson?”
God, I’m such an idiot.
“Am I really that scary, Isabelle?”
“Not at all,” I said quickly.
“Do I kiss that badly that you shrink every time I get close?”
Quite the opposite.
“Why so many questions?” I whispered.
“I’m testing you. That’s all.”
“And… did I pass the test of the great Colin Adams?”
He smiled faintly.
“Yes. The moment you walked into this room.”
CHAPTER 23
“Some questions beg for answers…”
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
My friendship with Joshua kept growing with each passing day, and now we talked a lot.
