Page 35 of Isabella and the Slipper

Yes. Mom was happy.

Isabella frowned at the phone. Was he really only taking the part for his mom?

What about you?

She hugged her pillow while she waited for his answer.

I really did want the part, so I’m good.

Then I’m happy for you. Anything else going on?

My sister is sick. Mom is worried.

Oh, no. What’s wrong?

High fever. Looks like the flu.

I hope she gets better soon.

There was a pause before another message came through.

Five? Can I ask you something personal?

Her throat tightened. What did he want to ask? And what if she couldn’t answer him? She debated what she should say. Before she could text a reply, her phone beeped again.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to freak you out.

No, it’s okay. Go ahead.

What’s a relationship deal-breaker for you?

What did he mean by that?

Her fingers trembled as she tried to think of a response. It wasn’t going to be something simple. She wasn’t even sure she knew the answer. Suddenly, her phone vibrated and it showed an incoming call from Chase.

She swiped to answer. “Hello?”

“I’m sorry. Am I being too weird?”

She let out a nervous laugh. “No. I just don’t know what to say to that.”

“I mean, is there anything that would make you jump ship immediately? Like a guy who chews with his mouth open, or something?”

“That’s kind of superficial. When I do get into a relationship, I would hope I’d be focused more on him as a person.”

A noise came through the line like Chase had dropped his phone and was fumbling with it. “You’ve never been in a relationship?” He sounded incredulous.

Her face heated up. “I’m only seventeen.”

“But you haven’t dated? At all?”

How could she explain it to him? Her stepmother never let her go anywhere. She was practically a prisoner in her own home. She couldn’t go out during the weekends, because that’s when she had to work at the gallery. Her stepsisters never wanted her to go to school functions.

Well, except for this upcoming game, which maybe was the start of something new.

She wasn’t sure. She cleared her throat.

“No.”

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