Page 94 of Until You (Forgive Me)

“Water under the bridge. It wasn’t meant to be.”

“I’m sorry,” Isabella added, only to have her shrug.

“Come on, melancholy will not buy you a dress. One that will send my brother into a tailspin.”

She watched as Scarlett’s walls came up, and she brushed aside her show of weakness. They’d all learned early on to shield their true feelings, and Isabella knew not to push her friend. She wondered if Christian knew. She somehow doubted it. What could have possibly gone wrong? There was no way Seb would have risked his friendship with Christian for a quick roll in the hay.

Scarlett raised a finger, before smiling and pointing out five dresses to the sales assistant who’d reappeared as if by magic. The assistant grabbed them before making her way to the back of the store and the changing rooms. Scarlett linked arms with Isabella, her mouth smiling, but the twinkle that usually lit up her eyes was very obviously missing. Isabella went to open her mouth but paused. Her friend did not need her rehashing old, painful wounds. So, she’d let it drop, for now.

Letting Scarlett lead the way, she set about choosing an outfit. She realised she liked the idea of sending Christian Dupree into a tailspin.

Chapter Forty-one

Christian

Christian found himself looking forward to their evening out. His meals with Henri and Patrice had usually meant he was the third wheel. The last few times, with Isabella attending, he’d found himself enjoying his friend’s conversation and company rather than dreading it. But then Isabella seemed to be having that effect on his life in more ways than one.

“Is it okay if I invite Scarlett to join us this evening?” Isabella asked as they were getting ready to visit Skylar.

“Of course, it’s less of a business meal than a social get-together,” he said.

He felt guilty for not making the time to catch up with his sister, especially since she’d dropped everything to help Isabella. It would be nice to see her. So far, it had been fleeting visits, with her having spent the afternoon with Isabella, disappearing when he got home, to give them space. Whether she found it awkward that he was in a relationship with her best friend, he didn’t know. He couldn’t imagine them discussing his and Isabella’s sex life, or at least he hoped not. The thought suddenly filled him with horror.

“Do you and my sister... you know...” he asked awkwardly.

Isabella turned to him, a frown marring her brow, before clarity kicked in, and she smirked at him.

“What? Do Scarlett and I discuss your prowess in bed or compare your...” Isabella’s laughter filled the air as Christian grabbed her around her waist, spinning her in his arms.

“Don’t tease me,” Christian growled, hugging her more tightly.

Isabella looked up, her eyes sparkling.

“You really don’t need to worry,” Isabella said, trying hard to get her giggles under control. “I think Scarlett would rather stick red-hot pokers in her ears, than hear about her brother’s sex life, especially with me. Your sexual prowess is well and truly protected.”

“Good,” Christian heard himself huff.

It wasn’t like he would want to hear about his sister’s sex life, either. She would forever remain pure and innocent in his eyes. It was not something he ever wanted to think about. Christian watched as Isabella wiped the tears from her eyes. He loved how free and easy she was with life, even with all the stress she was currently going through. She could still laugh, joke, and tease him.

He’d asked her about the meditation technique she used when she had helped calm his racing brain. She taught him some additional breathing techniques and talked him through another guided session. He had to admit what he had thought to be a littlenew agefor him was incredibly effective. The stretches she’d shown him to do after his workout sessions were also helping with his flexibility. It was one more thing for him to miss when she left in a couple of weeks.

∞∞∞

Their afternoon with Skylar had been a blast. Christian couldn’t believe how good Isabella was with his daughter. She’d been honest with Skylar about the fact she would leave soon, but she had promised to keep in touch.

Skylar had shown Isabella the journal she was keeping. Christian had watched from the sidelines as they bonded even more. He was clearly not going to be the only one who missed this wonderful woman.

“She has made quite the impression,” Star said as she came up to stand beside him in the park.

Her pregnancy bump appeared to have got bigger since he had last seen her.

“She has. It seems to be her talent. Henri’s wife Patrice, and Richard’s wife Annelise, are also really fond of her. We’re all going out to dinner this evening.”

Star looked up at him, her eyes filled with compassion.

“Are you going to ask her to stay?” she said, never one to beat about the bush.

“No.”

---