Page 55 of With All My Heart, Joy

TJ’s gaze was serious. “I understand. But I’m happy to listen if you ever need me, okay? I’m not Victor, but…”

“Is he okay, TJ? I’m so worried.”

“So are Mom and Dad. But he promised them he’ll be here this weekend for Lucy’s reception.”

What a relief. “Good.”

“Joy?”

“Yeah?” She looked back from outside the doorway.

“I meant that. I’m glad I’m your brother. Too bad we weren’t triplets. Woulda been fun, you know?”

An unanticipated feeling of belonging swept Joy from head to toe. One of the most beautiful things she’d felt in a very long time. Maybe ever.

“Totally.” She offered a wobbly grin. “Gotta go.”

As the day progressed, Joy’s mood turned into a downward spiral—for absolutely no reason. Depression was infuriating. One minute she was fine, and the next, she was in a freefall. All she knew was she was going down like a crashing jetliner, only she couldn’t see the ground and had no idea when she was going to bottom out. It was tempting to call Isaac. She had his phone number now, thanks to babysitting Paisley. But every time she reached for her phone, her hands grew cold and clammy.

Was she seriously considering following her heart? The heart that was pleading with her to give Isaac a chance? In all of her life, she had never thought she might date someone more than three or four years older than her. Any gap larger than that was just…weird.

What would people think? What would her family think? Her friends? Her…followers? She hated that she had to care what complete strangers thought of her, but it was their views, their likes, their subscriptions, their sponsorships that formed her career. If she lost their adoration and respect, she lost her job, her income, her passion. Herpurpose.

Was Isaac worth all of that?

Two days later, on Saturday afternoon, Joy methodically prepared for Silas and Lucy’s reception. Lucy had requested she wear her bridesmaid dress again, but Joy wanted a simpler hairstyle. She wasn’t in the mood for fuss. Her depression had been unrelenting the past few days. She’d love nothing more than to crawl into bed and skip the whole affair. But every time she considered bowing out, she thought of Isaac. He would be there tonight. And she wanted to see him. Even if the thought made her so terrified her body was wracked with trembles.

Her phone ding-donged with a text message, and a smile broke out on her face.

Victor: On my way, JJ. See you tonight. I’ll explain everything.

Finally, she would see her big brother, and he would put her heart at ease. And she would tell him about Isaac. He would know the right thing to do.

When Joy reached the ballroom of The Silver Lake Star Hotel, it looked like Christmas Eve had come a week early. The walls of the room were draped in silky blues, and delicate white decorative trees formed a frame around the room. Each round table sported a sparkling blue tablecloth and a crystal bowl centerpiece loaded with glittery blue, silver, and white Christmas balls and snowflakes. Enormous arrangements of white roses were everywhere, and a breathtaking ice sculpture of a reindeer served as a backdrop to the cake table. The cake was three layers, the largest on the bottom silver, followed by blue in the middle and white on top. Each one was covered in intricate snowflakes and edible glitter.

Her sister had her dream wedding, reception,andman.

Joy turned away from the cake table. A short, rectangular table stood at the head of the room for the wedding party, more beautiful than all the others. She already knew she was expected to sit beside Lucy during the reception. Isaac would be two seats away.

Her stomach bunched up at the thought, and she rotated on one silver high heel, scanning the room for Victor. Not here yet. But someone else was. And the way her heart danced with joy at the sight of Isaac informed her that, decided or not, she had already fallen for him.

As he crossed the room toward her, his eyes fixed on her and her alone, her heart began to pound.

Chapter Fourteen

He shouldn’t be so obvious. Joy’s parents could be watching.Anyonefrom the community could be watching. He was respected in this city, and he didn’t want to lose that via misunderstanding. But no one’s disapproval could keep him away from Joy tonight. Not when she appeared to be waiting just for him.

“Hi.” She tilted her head, not quite meeting his eyes. Isaac felt her nervous energy immediately. She glanced beyond him. “Where’s Paisley?”

“Over there.” He gestured vaguely. “She made friends with Silas’s grandparents, and they agreed to have her sit with them.”

“That’s sweet.”

Shewas sweet. And beautiful, wearing that blue dress again that fit her in just the right places. His hands tingled with the need to set them on her hips and pull her into an embrace.

His neck burned at the thought and the tightening within his gut. He hadn’t felt desire like this in many, many years. “You are absolutely gorgeous, Joy.”

Her eyes were a little too wide, like a frightened animal. He felt her uncertainty as if it were a palpable force between them. But she didn’t retreat. “Thank you.”

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