Page 55 of Keep It Together

We’d almost reached my house when he reached out and touched my shoulder. “Hey.”

“Mm?”

“You look wired.”

“I do?”

“Yeah. I was trying to be all mature and let us sleep on this, but maybe we should just say it.”

I turned and looked at his profile, so serious and handsome. I cared about him so much, and I wanted our friendship to last. But in all my fretting about not wrecking it, maybe I’d done just that. “You need space.”

“No.” Isaac turned and frowned at me. “Dang it, Carmen. It’s not your fault this is messy. We’re attracted to each other. I’m not going to say how much I’m attracted to you because I don’t want to make this weird. Just know, I’m really, really attracted to you.” His gaze softened into a knowing smile.

Whatever, he totally wanted to make this weird. Anything to make me laugh.

I rubbed my forehead, smiling big despite my stress. “Yeah, mutual attraction. I think that’s obvious by now.”

His brow furrowed again. “You were right to slow my roll that night of our date. I’m glad you told me we should just be friends. Because I don’t want to chase you. I just want to be here.”

Tears stung the back of my eyes, and I blinked furiously. This guy. What did I do to ever deserve him?

“You were smart to be cautious, Carmen. So, stop thinking you’ve done something terrible because you got a little less than platonic on me there for a second. I’m pretty hard to resist. Or so I’ve been told.”

“Ugh.” I groaned. “Thank you, Isaac.”

“Anytime.” He laughed. “Ah, I think I might actually sleep now.”

“Me too.”

He pulled up to the curb. “Let me walk you up.” He went around and got my door, putting his arm around me while we walked back to my casita. The chickens clucked in their hen house. I’d promised Gia I’d feed them tomorrow since she had an early swim meet. I’d have to set two alarms. One for getting up and feeding them, and one for after I fell face-first back into bed.

I hugged him tightly once we reached my door, not able to put into words yet what the relief he’d offered meant to me.

“Good night, Carmen.” He kissed the top of my head and let me go.

I unlocked my door and stepped in before turning to look at him. Ah, what the heck. I should say it. “You make me… lighter. All the time. Like there’s nothing we can’t figure out. How do you do that?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I feel the same way about you.”

Chapter 28 - Isaac

I flipped through the images of Carmen and me from two weeks ago, stopping on my favorite. Carmen had her eyes closed with her head against mine. She had a slightly mischievous smile on her face, foretelling that several seconds later, she’d open her eyes, turn, and kiss my cheek. I still didn’t quite understand what had prompted her to do that. We didn’t really talk about it, although it came up in teasing every now and then. Considering how careful she’d been with affection ever since, a repeat seemed unlikely. I was still holding out hope for an accidental makeout. Maybe I’d tell her that tonight. I hadn’t seen her truly flustered in a while, and I was having withdrawals.

The shop was slow today, giving me too much time to think about things like that. In a few hours I’d be riding with Uncle G and the gang for bingo night again, sneaking extra cookies to senior citizens just for the fun of it with Carmen by my side. Her father was starting to use crutches and a knee scooter, a big improvement from sitting all day with his foot propped up, but it would still be weeks before he could drive the van. I wouldn’t wish his injury on anyone, but I wasn’t the least bit sorry I’d gotten roped into helping with bingo week after week.

“She know how often you stare at these?” Dean asked from over my shoulder.

“I hope not.” I closed up my phone and slid it into my back pocket. “Do you think it’s possible to have a flirty, yet platonic, friendship with someone?”

Dean looked thoughtful for a moment. “Yes. Madge at the Shell gas station. She calls me sweet cheeks and catcalls every time I walk out. I threaten to steal her from her husband at least once a week. It’s a beautiful thing.”

“I’m not sure her husband feels that way.”

Dean laughed. “True, and to be honest, I don’t think what you have going on with this girl is manageable. You’re like a level-ten puppy dog face. I still can’t believe you won’t tell me her name. Grace won’t either. Why all the secrecy?”

“Her name is Carmen.”

“Well, you should tellCarmenhow you feel about her.”