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“We’ll find time. Don’t give up,” Isabella said.

Kelsey smiled and remembered those were her words to Isabella on their last trip.

23

Isabella looked out at the beach and watched her group playing volleyball with other people enjoying the spring break party. She and Kelsey still hadn’t had an opportunity to talk about what was growing between them. There were times when she wanted to grab Kelsey, pull her behind a tree, and kiss her until they both couldn’t breathe. Then there were the times she wanted to reach over and simply hold her hand. They were running out of time because it was the last day of spring break and they’d fly home tomorrow.

Isabella sighed and wondered if this was how it felt for people in the closet. At the moment she felt like she couldn’t be her authentic self and had to hide her feelings for Kelsey. She kept things in the friend zone, but the longing she felt to simply sit and talk to Kelsey was growing to the point she might explode. Maybe she could come up with some excuse about work that they had to deal with so they could be alone.

“Are you keeping up with the twenty-year-olds?”

Isabella turned to find Riley sliding in the seat next to her. “Barely,” she replied. “This is our last day.”

“I’ve been watching your posts and everyone seems to be having a great time,” Riley said.

“They are. The kids get along well. Kels and I have had fun with them.”

“Then why don’t you look happy?” Riley asked.

Isabella glanced over at her. “I don’t?”

“You seem to be watching a certain dark-haired beauty. We’ve done this before,” Riley teased.

Isabella chuckled. “I do like watching her. Kelsey and I haven’t had a moment to ourselves and there’s something important we need to talk about.”

“I see.” Riley nodded. “Can I help with that?”

“I don’t know, can you?” Isabella looked at her friend and the slightest feeling of hope danced in her chest.

“Riley,” Dana said, running up to them. “Alex needs the air pump for the volleyball.”

“I’ll be right back.” Riley got up and went into the bar.

Dana sat down next to Isabella, put her arm around her, and gave her a side hug.

Isabella chuckled. “What was that for?”

“For making my mom happy. She is having so much fun.”

“We always have fun,” Isabella replied.

“Mom has given up a lot for us. She says she hasn’t, but I know she has.”

“Your mom didn’t do anything she didn’t want to.”

Dana looked over at Isabella. “She’s talked to you about us?”

Isabella nodded.

“She rarely dates. Besides, who would want to have a relationship when she has a couple of kids?” Dana said. “At least now we’re out of the house and she has more privacy.”

“She just hasn’t found the right woman yet,” Isabella said, watching Kelsey hit the ball.

“It doesn’t mean she won’t.”

“I hope so. Emma and I will be moving when we graduate.”

“You won’t mind sharing her with someone else?” Isabella asked, raising her eyebrows. “You’re both pretty protective of her.”