Page 71 of Isabelle & Jason
His heart swelled and his throat closed up. He already knew where she was going with this, and he couldn’t say it was half bad.
“Would you be interested in managing the café for us? It would require more than just baking. You’d oversee the employees and training. We’d expect you to learn some of the bookkeeping as well so we can keep track of things.”
Jason glanced from Nikki to Mateo once more. There was only one answer he could give them.
26
Isabelle
Isabelle should have known something was up when she didn’t see Jason’s truck. She wasn’t sure how long it had been since she’d seen it last. How many days? Weeks? It couldn’t have beenthatlong, right?
She sat on the front porch and watched the men come and go from the mess hall, waiting to at least catch a glimpse of him after lunch was over. When Mark followed the last few stragglers, she got to her feet and headed in that direction.
Isabelle nearly made it to the door when Nikki and Marcus exited. Was Marcus helping with the food now? That didn’t make sense.
Nikki smiled warmly. “Hey, Izzie. You need anything? I didn’t see you for lunch.”
Shaking her head, she snuck another look toward the building. “I was just…” Her voice trailed off. Marcus wasn’t aware of how close she’d gotten with Jason. And she wasn’tsure how much Nikki knew. How could she explain that she was looking for Jason and hadn’t seen him around?
If they had figured out that Jason meant something more to her, then it would look even worse if she didn’t realize he was sick or on vacation.
She cleared her throat and glanced between the two. She nearly asked Nikki if she could speak to her alone, but someone called out to her sister-in-law.
They all turned to see Nikki’s son running over. Paxton grabbed Nikki’s hand. “Daddy said we can go to the café today if you say it’s okay. I want another chocolate soufflé.”
A pang ricocheted in Isabelle’s chest.
Chocolate soufflé. That was what Jason had fixed for her at the very beginning of their relationship. She watched Paxton with curiosity. She was aware that Nikki had convinced Mateo to invest in a small café in town, but she hadn’t gone out that way to see it for herself.
Heading to town was still on her “no” list. She didn’t want to risk bumping into Dillan. And after she’d gotten into a fight with Charlie about the guy, her friend had intelligently avoided any topics related to him.
Nikki dropped down to eye level with her son. She licked her thumb and scrubbed at a smudge on her son’s face.
He made a disgusted sound and batted at her hands. Marcus and Isabelle exchanged humored glances as Nikki got to her feet. “Sure, we can go. Tell your dad I just want to freshen up.” She waved at Isabelle. Then to Marcus, she asked, “I’d love your help for supper.”
Marcus rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I know.”
Isabelle waited until Nikki was well out of earshot before she whirled on her brother. “Why are you helping in the kitchen?”
His expression hardened, but he didn’t say anything as he headed for the house.
She was faster and darted out in front of him. “Is Jason sick? Or has something happened?”
“I’m not talking about this with you. We agreed?—”
“Weagreed? Who? What are you keeping from me?” she demanded, hands on her hips. “I deserve to know if my…” Her voice trailed off. They weren’t dating anymore. And if they had been, she would have surely known what was going on.
“Just leave it alone, Isabelle. It’s not good for you to get riled up.”
She snorted. “What do you know about me and my health? You don’t know anything about what I’ve been through.”
“You’re right!” Marcus had never raised his voice to her or anyone in their family before, and she startled. “Because you won’t share anything with us. Not even with Charlie!”
She blanched. Had everyone been talking about her? The theories they must have been spreading had to be worse than the truth, and yet she still couldn’t bring herself to tell him. Charlie had been sworn to secrecy, which was likely the only reason Marcus thought she hadn’t said anything. Isabelle would have to remember to thank her best friend for having her back.
Just as quickly as the blood drained from her face, her cheeks flushed hot. “My life is my business and mine alone.”
“Not when you’re hurting yourself.”
