Page 39 of Isabelle & Jason
This desire was what led to tonight’s decision.
Isabelle scooped the popcorn packet from the ground and huffed out a nervous laugh. She’d told her brothers and sisters that Jason was coming by to watch a movie. Out of everyone, her sister-in-law was the least surprised, and it made Isabelle wonder if Jason had said anything to indicate that he was interested.
But no. That didn’t make sense. Jason was the most platonic friend she had. He went out of his way to not get too close to her.
Sighing, Isabelle finally shoved the package of popcorn into the microwave. She tapped out the timer, shut the door, and hit start. Then she leaned against the counter and closed her eyes.
It wasn’t surprising that there was a degree of disappointment in the fact that Jason hadn’t made a move. It was small, but there, nonetheless. Out of everyone in her life, Jason was the guy she actually trusted.
“Something you’re not telling me?”
Isabelle jumped at Marcus’s low voice. Her eyes flew open, and she stared at her brother. “What are you talking about?” If he was going to bring up the fact that she was acting strange again, she wasn’t going to be held responsible for her actions.
Marcus braced his forearms on the counter as he studied her. His head was cocked to the side in that infuriating way that made her feel like he could read her mind. “Jason, huh?”
Her eyes narrowed, but she tore her focus from him. Folding her arms, she shook her head. “He’s a friend.”
“Yeah? Does he know that?”
She stiffened and faced him. “What?”
A hint of a smile tugged at his lips, but he didn’t expand on his statement.
Isabelle scoffed, but inside she couldn’t deny the little thrill that ripped through her chest. If Marcus thought he saw something, he wouldn’t lie about it, right? “If there was something between us, what would that matter?”
Marcus shrugged. His behavior was becoming irritating. More than irritating, she wanted to chuck one of the popcorn packets at his head.
Then a thought occurred to her and her stomach dropped. “Did he say something to you?” She’d seen them talking, hadn’t she? And she believed Jason when he said that he didn’t talk about that night with her brother. But that didn’t mean they didn’t talk about her at all.
Had Jason said something about them?
She fought a small smile just as the microwave beeped. Without looking over to her brother, she shrugged. “I don’t have anything to say. He’s here to hang out. And Mateo said everyone has to leave him alone.”
“He didn’t say that.” Marcus laughed.
“Yes, he did?—”
“He said we have to be nice. That’s not the same thing.”
Her hands stilled. Shoot. Marcus was right. When she turned to face him, Marcus had left. Well, that was not great. Hopefully, Jason would be able to hold his own.
Apparently,Isabelle didn’t have much to be worried about. While Jason seemed nervous, none of her siblings did anything to make him uncomfortable. Soon enough, Jason was relaxed and chatting easily with all of them. By the time the movie had ended, her siblings had all gone off to do something else.
Jason reached for the remote and shut off the television, leaving the two of them in quiet contemplation on the couch. At one point she’d been squished between Camilla and Jason. The whole left side of her body was pressed against Jason’s, but when Camilla had left, she hadn’t bothered to move.
She drew comfort from the heat that emanated from his body. In fact, she’d nearly rested her cheek against his shoulder several times throughout the movie and had to remind herself that he hadn’t given her any indication that it was something he wanted.
He shifted at her side, and she frowned when he put a little distance between them. It was fine. She hadn’t wanted more, right?
Right.
Isabelle wasn’t ready for something more with anyone.
And yet… There was something about Jason that called to her in a way she hadn’t been expecting.
“I was wondering—” Isabelle started.
“Want to go for a walk?”
