Page 67 of Branded

Sure, he was speaking and cracking jokes with his friends here and there, but it felt like there was something on his mind. Obviously, being the overthinker that I am, I assume it has to do with last night.

It’s not until he’s helping me with my bags onto my front porch that I muster up the courage to say something to him.

“Are you all right?”

He slides his hands into his pockets. “I’m fine. Why?”

“You’re just being so quiet. It’s not a side of you I’m used to.” I smile a bit so he can see I’m simply checking on him.

I watch his face closely and see the slightest tick of his jaw before he answers, “I didn’t sleep much last night.”

He steps up toward me and slides his hand to rest at the small of my back.

“No? Hmm. I wonder why?” I tap my chin.

“Some hot brunette couldn’t get enough of me.”

“Are you sure about that? Maybe you couldn’t get enough of her.”

“That’s a distinct possibility,” he says, cupping one side of my face in his hand.

His eyes look full of thought. Like he’s here, but not really here. Like there is so much on his mind that he is having a hard time compartmentalizing it.

“Do you want to come inside? I can make us something to eat before you have to go rest up for your shift tomorrow.”

Please say yes. I’m not ready to end this yet, and I want to know if I’ve fallen too hard too fast.

He bends down to kiss my lips and nods his head. “Yes, I think I do.”

I smile against his kiss then pull away to let us in the front door.

Herbert greets us with a grump“oh, you’re back”look from his perch on the back of my sofa.

“Does that cat ever look happy?” he asks.

“Never. You know the Grumpy Cat meme? That’s basically him. He’s rude and a bit of an asshole, but I love him.” I walk by him and give his ear a scratch that he takes only for a moment before angling his head away.

“I guess that means he’s finished with you, huh?”

I giggle. “I guess so. Remember who feeds you, you little jerk.” I point at him and he just meows in response. “He probably misses Liv. She was the one feeding him while we were away and she sneaks him treats.”

“He can be bought with treats? I’ll keep that in mind.”

That one, simple sentence gives me hope that I didn’t have ten seconds ago. The ride here had given me plenty of time to overthink and determine he’d regretted things he said to me last night. That one sentence means he intends on sticking around awhile.

“Soup okay? I’m craving Italian Wedding.”

“Soup is great, but I don’t know what Italian Wedding is.”

“You’re in for a treat, then. Make yourself at home. I will heat some up. I won’t pretend it’s not canned. I keep it around for times just like this.”

I leave him in the living room with Herbert to make our soup, and when I come back a few minutes later, what I see stops me in my tracks.

“Oh my God,” I whisper.

“Don’t. Make. Any. Sudden. Movements,” Isaac says quietly as Herbert walks toward him, gives him a sniff, and starts to climb into his lap.

“You have got to be kidding me,” I say somewhere between a whisper and a yell.

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