Page 59 of With All My Heart, Joy

“No can do, kiddo, sorry.” Maybe he should look into one of those food delivery services.

A firm hand settled onto his shoulder, and he half expected to see the glowering face of Joy’s oldest brother when he tilted his head back. Silas was a much more welcome sight.

“Everything all right?” his friend asked in a quiet tone. At Isaac’s puzzled frown, Silas bent near his ear. “You weren’t exactly subtle on the dance floor. Then Joy looked like she’d seen a ghost when she came back to the room.”

Isaac turned away from the table, unwilling for anyone to overhear this conversation. “We…we kissed.” When he dared to meet Silas’s eyes, his friend was smirking. “Don’t look at me like that. She specifically asked for it.” He swallowed. “And then she apologized and walked away.”Aftera much more intense kiss than he would have predicted.

He was such a fool. Hadn’t he known better? Hadn’t healwaysknown better? With Rachel. With Alison. Now with Joy. Every time, he reaped what he sowed.

“Maybe it was too much at one time,” Silas said. “According to Lucy, if she’s willing to overlook the age difference, it means she likes you a whole lot. She’s a careful girl. I don’t think she would have let you kiss her if she didn’t want something serious with you. But she might have gotten scared. Give her time. She might come around.”

Maybe. But he wasn’t pinning any hopes on it. Something specific was holding her back. And he had a bad feeling he knew what.

The hurt spreading inside him didn’t stop him from wanting Joy. But he knew what he deserved. And it wasn’t Joy. It was real life. Real life with a daughter whose special needs would demand a lifetime of care—which he was more than willing to provide. But he couldn’t expect to find a woman willing to share in that burden.

He was on his own raising Paisley. As he always had been.

* * * * *

Joy needed to leave, to get away from the dark, probing eyes that couldn’t seem to stop straying in her direction no matter where she was.

“Luce?” She found her sister on the dance floor. “Do you mind if I leave now?” She hadn’t taken a single photo for her Instagram stories, nor had she done a short livestream as she normally did wherever she went. None of those things seemed to matter anymore.

Lucy stepped out of Silas’s arms as the newlyweds paused mid-turn. “Of course, hun. You okay? You look upset.”

“I—I—I kissed Isaac,” she squeaked, her eyes immediately filling. “I don’t think I should have. I—”

Lucy’s gasp cut her off. “Oh, Joy! We need to talk more. I’m coming over when we’re done here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. This is your wedding reception.”

“Yeah, and we already had the wedding night and all that jazz.” Lucy’s cheeks suddenly sported color, her eyes darting to Silas’s smug face and back.

Joy snorted. “Say no more. I’m glad it was amazing. But you still don’t need to come over.”

“Yes, I do. Wait up for me!” Lucy called loudly as Joy dodged other dancers on the floor. She felt Isaac watching her from where he stood on the sidelines talking with others. She was desperate to get away, but she hadn’t talked to Paisley yet. And she wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye to her.

“Hey, Paisley.”

The girl shot from her chair, straight into Joy’s arms. “Joy! Joy! You so bee-u-ti-ful!”

Joy couldn’t remember the last time she’d been hugged so tightly. “Thank you, sweetie.” She pushed back, holding Paisley at arm’s length. She wore shiny boots over black stockings and a green dress that swirled around her knees. Isaac had to be the best father known to any ten-year-old girl obsessed with fashion. “You look beautiful, too.” Joy gave her another squeeze, emotions gathering like a brewing storm. She had to leave before she burst into tears. “I’m glad to see you again. Merry Christmas, Paisley.”

She gave her the brightest smile she could, lifted her hand in a wave, and headed toward the door, but not without passing a cluster of people—including Isaac. His eyes were going to slice her in half soon. She tucked her head down and kept walking. At the door, Victor was waiting.

“Can I come over and see your new place?”

“Yes, please.” Joy slipped her arm through his, suddenly needing her big brother more than ever before. “You can follow me.”

“I know my way around. What’s the address?”

Sure enough, he beat her there and was waiting outside her door when she approached, stepping carefully in her high heels.

“I like it,” he said, glancing around as Joy switched on the kitchen light and the Christmas tree. “How’s it feel having your own place?”

“Weird. Lonely.”

Victor’s face pinched. “I’m sorry I’ve missed so many of your calls.”

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