Page 91 of Captured Love

I can't help but smile. “Really well, actually. He surprised me this morning with breakfast.”

Isla's eyebrows shoot up. “Wow, that's dedication. Especially for a hockey player who probably values his sleep. Ask me how I know.”

That makes me laugh. “I know, right? But he said seeing me was worth keeping himself out of bed after practice.”

“Aw, look at you, all smitten!” Isla teases. “I'm happy for you, Selene. You deserve someone who makes an effort like that.”

“Thanks, Isla. I don't know, it just feels...right with him, you know? Even though we're so different.”

She takes a sip of her water. “Sometimes opposites really do attract. And you balance each other out.”

“I guess so.” I play with my sandwich. “But I am really happy in a relationship for the first time in a long time.”

My best friend claps her hands together and brings them up to her mouth as if she’s getting emotional. “You’re going to make me cry.”

I shake my head. “Now, you know if you cry, I’m going to cry. So please don’t, for both our sakes.”

“Okay then, I should change the subject,” Isla says as she tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear. “I need to fill you in on Tessa.”

I groan, already anticipating what's coming. “What has she done now?”

“She's been stomping around our room like the whole world betrayed her,” Isla says, rolling her eyes. “Ever since she found out about you and Knox at the hockey game, she's been in a perpetual state of pissed off. Not that it is hard for her to do.”

I sigh. “I assume I’m public enemy number one because I got with him when she was planning to try to get back with him. Why, after years of them being separated, she wants him back now, I have no idea.”

“Because he’s graduating and has a shot at getting drafted? The NIL money they are already getting isn’t anything to laugh at either.”

I nod along because Isla has a good point. “It could be that. I wonder when she decided that she was going to go after him again. Not that it really matters because he’s with me.”

Isla hesitates for a second before saying, “True. And I don’t know the full story, but from what I’ve picked up… she and Knox weren’t exactly ‘together’ for most of their relationship. More on-and-off. A lot of drama. And if I had to guess? She probably thought she’d always have the option to go back to him.”

I frown. “So she only wants him now because he moved on to something that is more serious?”

“Sounds like it,” Isla says, shrugging. “She never mentioned him much before this semester, at least not to me. But I heard her on the phone once—right before the season started—telling someone she was going to ‘make it happen’ this time.” She air-quotes the last part. “I didn’t know who she meant at the time, but I’d bet money it was Knox.”

I press my lips together. Tessa’s been plotting this for months? Good to know. “She needs to find someone else because that ship has sailed.”

“Stake your claim,” she says as she holds up her hand to give me a high five.

I high-five Isla, laughing. “Oh, I have. And I plan to keep doing so.”

“Good. Don't let Tessa's bitterness ruin what you and Knox have,” Isla says “She had her chance, and she blew it. Repeatedly. This is your time now.”

“You're right. I refuse to let her drama seep into my relationship. Knox and I are good together, and that's what matters.”

“Exactly. Besides, from what I've seen, Knox only has eyes for you. Tessa can scheme and pout all she wants, but it won't change the fact that he's crazy about you.”

I wonder if I should tell her about Knox saying the L-word while we had sex in the library. I quickly decide not to because I haven’t even talked to him about it yet. “Thanks, Isla. I needed to hear that.”

“That’s what I’m here for and—” She stops talking for maybe ten seconds. “Wait a minute.”

“What? What’s up?”

Isla leans forward and grasps my hands that were resting on the table. “Do you remember I told you about that little black book I found of Tessa’s? The one I accidently knocked off her desk?”

“Yes…” I say as I vaguely recall it and am now wondering where this part of our conversation is going to lead.

“What if that was her little research book of sorts? To, like, figure out who was around Knox or something?”

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