Chapter 49
Chapter 49:
“Are you expecting someone?” Isla asks, one of her hands resting lightly on my chest.
“No,” I shake my head. “But it’s probably Sandra or Ethan, or both of them p>
Her face lights up. “Might be true. Well, if it’s them, then I can’t wait to hear how ridiculous their karaoke date went p>
I laugh. “Ethan can’t sing shit p>
She chuckles. “Yeah, I know that. Well, let me go che p>
I place my finger on her lips, silencing her. “Stay here. I’ll go p>
I turn and leave the kitchen, but not before hearing Isla chirp, “Awwnn, that is so sweet p>
I stop in my tracks and snap back at her. She gets the hint, but ends up laughing. I shake my head, and then, the doorbell rings again, pulling my attention back.
After checking the doorbell camera and seeing it’s Sandra and Ethan, I sigh in relief, grateful it isn’t anyone from the office.
My hand moves to open the door, but I pause midway.
Wait! If Sandra and Ethan come in and see Isla here, dressed in my clothes, will they think anything suspicious? But sooner or later, Isla and I will have to tell them we’re together.
The doorbell rings again. Isla’s voice calls from the kitchen. “Babe, open the door already p>
The sound of her sweet voice calling me “babe” sweeps away every anxious thought and unnecessary worry. Isla and I love each other so much. Our friends are clearly in love too, so they’ll understand perfectly when we tell them.
In fact, they might even pull us into their arms and smother us with kisses. A dramatic reaction, but one I’m sure Sandra is capable of.
I let out a sigh and open the door.
Sandra flashes me a big smile and hugs me. “Good morning p>
“Good morning,” I reply, patting her back and stepping aside to usher her and Ethan into the house.
“Good morning, dude,” Ethan greets, taking off his black jean jacket. He hangs it on the backrest of one of the sofas before sitting down.
“Uhmmm,” he sniffs the air. “Something smells nice p>
Just then, Isla appears from the kitchen. “Good morning, guys p>
“Good morning, Isla,” Ethan replies loosely, still sniffing the air.
Sandra’s eyes trail down over Isla’s hair and body. “Isla, did you sl—” The rest of her words die in her throat when Isla grabs my face, pulls me close, and kisses me.
R3ad the r3zt at
On the lips.
“Dios mío!” Sandra shrieks, making Isla and me jump apart at the sound of her horrified voice—just in time to see her phone slip from her hand and fall onto the fluffy floor mat.
“Oh. My. God.” Ethan whistles, his dark brown eyes gleaming with mischievous glee. “What is happening here p>
My eyes go wide in shock, my entire body frozen, my voice stuck in my throat.
Isla’s voice pulls me out of my trance. “Asher and I are together p>
Her announcement sinks in, unleashing a rush of happiness that finally frees my voice. I clear my throat and take one of Isla’s hands into mine.
“I know this sounds surprising, guys, but…” I pause, drawing in another breath. “Isla and I love each other so much. Honestly, it’s been that way forever, but now we’re officially together. Starting from, well, yesterday.” I finish, glancing at Isla and catching her smiling at me.
God, why is she so damn?
I manage to tear my eyes away from her and look back at Sandra and Ethan. They stare at us like they’ve seen ghosts. I wish I could pull out my phone and take pictures of their faces right now, to save them for later.
“Guys?” Isla calls, snapping her fingers in the air.
They blink a few times. Ethan coughs.
“I knew it,” Sandra blurts, pointing at us. “I knew something was off between you two from the moment Asher was discharged from the hospital.” She hisses and rubs her forehead. “How could I have been so blind p>
Ethan stands and walks over to us. “Congratulations to the latest couple in town.” He points toward the kitchen. “But if you’ll excuse me, I need to check out something in there. I can’t take it anymore p>
He pats my back and heads straight for the kitchen.
“Ethan, wait!” Isla shouts after him, following him into the kitchen.
I try to go after her, but Sandra’s hand holds me back.
“Hey,” she says with a smile. “I’m happy for both of you. I didn’t see it before, but now I understand why Isla never found any other guy good enough for her p>
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“I’m talking about her past short-lived relationships. She was always breaking them off, and she never seemed to have a solid reason why—except for the weird excuse that those guys were never enough or didn’t have something she wanted. But now I get it p>
She sighs. “God, that girl. I feel like spanking her right now p>
“Hey, that’s my girlfriend’s ass we’re talking about. Don’t think I’ll let you do that p>
Sandra laughs, slapping my arm. “Of course I won’t. I was joking p>
She turns and starts walking toward the kitchen, but then she halts and snaps back around to me.
“Hey Asher, so you know, Isla may be your girlfriend now, but she’s still mine. Got that?” She arches a brow and folds her arms.
Great. Girls and their weird possessiveness.
“Alright,” I huff. “I get it. spare my head p>
She flashes me a smile before turning back toward the kitchen. I follow her, hearing Isla’s sweet laughter mixing with Ethan’s shrill singing voice. Its chaotic echo nearly scares the life out of my ears.