Page 106

Sylvie was waiting at the dock and whisked them over to Peaches. It was such a beautiful night and the stars were beginning to come out. The moon was shining bright and lighting their way across the calm water.

Once they were on shore, Sylvie drove them to Peaches where they walked in to find Liz, Riley, and Alex waiting for them.

“Welcome,” Riley said. “We have a special table for you. If you’ll follow me.”

“Wait, what about all of you?” Isabella asked.

“We’ll take you back when you’re ready. No hurry,” Sylvie said.

“Liz and Alex are taking care of the bar and I’m taking care of you,” Riley said with a grin. “Now, please follow me.”

Kelsey held out her arm to Isabella and they followed Riley through the door and up to their apartment.

“I know you’ve been up here before, but it’s quite the romantic spot when the moon is out and the stars are shining,” Riley said.

They went through the bedroom up to the rooftop where a string of lights adorned the sitting area. There was a table set off to one side and Riley reached into the small refrigerator for a bottle of wine.

“Riley, this is beautiful,” Isabella said.

She poured each of them a glass of wine. “Take a little time to enjoy your drink and I’ll be back up with dinner shortly.”

“Thank you,” Kelsey said.

“It’s our pleasure,” Riley said with a wink then left them alone.

Isabella raised her glass. “To our first date of many.”

Kelsey smiled and touched her glass to Isabella’s. She took a sip of her wine, but her eyes never left Isabella’s. “Are you sure about all this?”

Isabella raised her brows then her face relaxed into the most beautiful smile. “I am. I know we’ll have challenges to overcome along the way, but I’m sure about you and me.”

Kelsey grinned. “I wanted to give you one more chance because I’m never letting you go, Bella.” She reached for Isabella’s hand and led them over to the edge of the deck. They looked out over the water, a blanket of stars above them.

“I don’t like this idea of hiding our relationship,” Isabella said. “I know I haven’t been in your shoes, Kels, or faced the things you have, but I don’t think I can hide this happiness I feel. People are going to know.”

“I don’t like it either,” Kelsey replied. “I’m not sure hiding it is the right thing to do. I agree with you that honesty would be the best way to handle it.”

“Maybe we could drop little hints here and there and see what happens,” Isabella said, taking a sip of her wine.

“Hmm,” Kelsey murmured. “Why would we act any differently than we have? I mean, I’m not going to post that picture we took last month of us kissing. That’s for us. Let’s do our regular thing tomorrow on the beach and see how it goes.”

“We’ll see if we act any differently,” Isabella said.

“Good plan.” Kelsey leaned over and kissed Isabella softly.

“I was thinking,” Isabella said. “Do you have to go back to Denver once we land in Charlotte?”

Kelsey tilted her head. “I guess I don’t. Why?”

“Well, if you’re not letting me go, don’t you think it’s time you met Wyatt and Gus in person?” Isabella said, raising one eyebrow. “Stay with us a few days before you go back to Denver.”

Kelsey widened her eyes. She had talked to the boys regularly since starting this marketing campaign. They had all done video calls and the boys were often in the background when she talked to Isabella.

“Is that fear in your eyes, babe?” Isabella asked, amused.

“No, it’s just that my girls love you and…”

“And my boys are going to love you. They ask you about the family vacation every week.”