Page 72 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

Her father walked towards the table laden with goodies. Isabella let out a sigh. Thank God that was over. She turned to Nash, but he was gone. She searched the field, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“So much for that.”

Isabella meandered around the field. The women tried to bring her into their conversations but her heart just wasn’t in it. More than a dozen people surrounded her and yet she felt more alone than if she were here by herself. Eli was happily engrossed in the movie, so she took her leave. How was it possible to feel claustrophobic and lonely at the same time? She took the familiar footpath, heading up towards the bench she’d found months ago. This had become a special spot for her. A place to find peace when everything seemed so jumbled.

Sitting on the moonlit bench, she tilted her head up to the sky.

“Are you following me?” the gruff voice asked from behind her.

She jumped, clamping a hand over her racing heart. “You scared the mierda out of me!”

She spun around. Moonlight lit up his handsome face. The corners of his mouth quirked up before they flattened again. “Sorry.”

“And no, I had no idea anyone was up here. I like to come here sometimes. It’s . . . peaceful.” She sat back down, crossing her arms over her chest. It was a lot colder away from the fire.

Nash took the space next to her. “They can be a lot to handle.”

“Your family? Yeah, they can.” She laughed. “But it’s a good type of chaos.”

An owl hooted in the trees behind them.

“Do you ever . . . never mind.” She shook her head.

“What were you going to ask?”

“It’s stupid.”

“Say what you were gonna say.” His voice was gruff.

She took a deep breath, focusing back on the constellations above. “Are you ever surrounded by people and yet still feel lonely?”

Nash focused on his hands in his lap.

She sighed. “Never—”

“All the damn time.” His voice came out in a ragged whisper.

“Grief does that to a person,” she said.

Black soul-piercing orbs cut to her, moonlight shining in them, making his eyes appear more grey than obsidian. Her heart thudded in her chest. The wind picked up, the trees creaking under the pressure. The soft pitter of crisp leaves falling to the forest floor behind them was the only other sound as Nash held her prisoner in his agonized inky gaze.

Maybe it was time she put herself out there. Let him know that if anyone could understand where he was coming from, it would be her. That he didn’t have to suffer alone.

“It seems like everyone moves on, living their life, but you’re still . . . stuck. You’re not ready because it means leaving someone you love behind,” she explained.

His hands fisted in his lap.

“Is that how you feel?” she asked.

A flash of vulnerability lit his eyes like a shooting star in their dark depths. But just as quickly as a wish, it disappeared, hidden behind stormy clouds of denial. His walls were back up. He snuffed out any sign of softness once again behind his stoic mask as he faced the meadow in front of them.

“If we’re going to live together and become friends, we should know a little more about each other, don’t you think?” she pressed.

“Drudging up the past never helped anyone.” His voice was cold as ice.

“Neither did hanging on to it.”

He stood abruptly, shoulders tensed to his ears. “You should get back to the fire. It’s not safe to be out here alone at night.”

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