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“I don’t know how to explain it,” Emma said. “Is it because of this new friend you’ve made? Dana told me you were hanging out with a woman on the beach.”

Kelsey’s eyes widened as she stared at Isabella.

Isabella chuckled. “Uh, hi there, Emma. I’m the woman your mom is hanging out with. I’m Isabella.”

11

“Oh, hi!” Emma exclaimed.

“You’ll get to meet Isabella when we do the girls trip in March,” Kelsey said.

“I can’t wait,” Emma said.

“Me either,” Isabella said, chuckling. “So tell me, Emma. Does your mom not usually sound happy like this?”

“Not at all! She sounds so carefree now,” Emma said. “She usually has several projects going and sounds kind of stressed.”

“Let me remind you that those projects are paying for your education,” Kelsey said.

“I know, I know,” Emma droned. “Whatever you and Isabella are doing, I hope you keep doing it because you sound happy, Mom. You deserve happiness and a girlfriend!”

“Oh no, no, no. It’s not like that, Emma!” Kelsey quickly protested. She glanced at Isabella and her grin showed how much she was enjoying this.

Emma laughed. “I was just teasing you. I can imagine your face is bright red right about now. Merry Christmas, Momma.”

“You little brat,” Kelsey said, realizing her daughter had teased her on purpose.

“I didn’t want you to miss me too much. It’s nice to meet you, Isabella. You two have fun,” Emma said.

Isabella chuckled. “You, too.”

“I love you, Em. Merry Christmas,” Kelsey said, shaking her head and smiling at Isabella.

“Love you, too.”

Kelsey ended the call. “Before you came in, Emma told me she missed me and didn’t like being away from me and her sister at Christmas.”

“Aww,” Isabella said.

“You see how quickly she got over it. That girl loves to tease me.”

Isabella chuckled. “We are going to have so much fun with them.”

“They’re pretty awesome kids,” Kelsey said. “Well, they aren't kids any longer, but I haven’t screwed them up too much.”

“Give me time, my boys are still young.” Isabella chuckled.

“I can tell you’re a great mom. They’ll be fine,” Kelsey said. She took a moment to look at Isabella. She was wearing a pair of baggy shorts and a sleeveless top. “Don’t you look comfy and cute.”

“Thanks.” Isabella smiled. “I can do casual.”

Kelsey noticed she had her hair up in a messy bun and could tell it was still damp from her shower. “Yes, you can,” she murmured and quickly turned away so Isabella couldn’t see her cheeks turning red once again. Kelsey took a deep breath and busied herself looking for the room service menu.

They ordered their food and Kelsey found a chilled bottle of wine in her mini-refrigerator.

She raised her brows at Isabella. “Wine?”

“Oh, yes. That sounds perfect.”