Addicted to You(50)

“You feeling okay?” Grandma placed her hand on my forehead.

I smiled. “Yep. Just hungry, I think.”

“Me too.”

I was glad Grandma seemed distracted enough to not notice the parking lot was full of familiar vehicles.

“Well, let’s go eat then!”

I parked the car and we both headed to the main entrance. As we walked I shot a quick We’re here text to Luis, per his instructions.

Grandma reached for the door.

“Let me get that.” I positioned myself out of the way so when it swung open she’d be the first to step in, and as she did, the room filled with a joyous “Surprise!”

Grandma grabbed her chest, and my heart leapt with the realization that we probably shouldn’t surprise a seventy-year-old, but then settled as she said with a huge smile, “Isla, you shouldn’t have.”

“She didn’t. Dad did,” Luis said as he strolled forward. He leaned down and gave Grandma the customary hug and kiss on the cheek, but nothing about them held any actual emotion. “Happy birthday.”

And over his shoulder, I caught her mouth turn down in a slight frown. She pulled back and her mouth tilted back up into a smile. “Is he here?”

“No. Business.”

I watched my brother, amazed at how much he’d turned into Dad. Cold. Emotionless. Not that I’d ever expected much from him, but sometimes I’d get lost in memories of the two of us as kids. Laughing. Sneaking up to watch scary movies late at night. Eating junk food we weren’t allowed to have before bedtime. It hadn’t always been this bad.

“Isla.” He nodded at me. No hug. No surprise. “Well, Grandma. Say hi to your friends. Dinner is in half an hour.”

When he glanced back at me, I bit my tongue and forced my expression to relax. I looped my arm through Grandma’s and with a big smile said, “What an amazing turnout! Where should we start? Oh look, there’s Ms. Mitchell.”

As her friends started to surround her with birthday wishes and greetings, I slipped away, needing a moment to decompress. Luis had more than lived up to my expectations. I stepped out back to the covered patio and stared at the ocean, letting each roll of waves wash away my frustration and anger and hurt.

“You okay?”

Colby’s voice enveloped me, like a blanket of security. I needed him more than ever right then.

“Not really.”

His arm went around my shoulder and I leaned into him. “I know.”

We stood that way for several minutes. He didn’t ask questions and I didn’t offer explanations. I’m sure he’d witnessed the exchange between Luis and me. Everyone probably had.

“I guess I should head back in.”

He kissed the top of my head. “Okay.”

I lifted my chin and stared up at him. He looked adorable. All dressed up, sans ball cap. Though personally, I liked Colby in his trademark hat. It was part of what made him him. But I definitely appreciated this look as well.

Then his arm shifted as he turned me to fully face him and leaned down. And for the first time ever, he made the first move. He kissed me. And it would be a lie to say it wasn’t one of the best moments of my life.

It was a sweet kiss too. Unlike most of the other heated ones we’d shared. He wasn’t drunk. He wasn’t looking for sex. It was just a kiss. Then it was over.

His smile graced only one side of his mouth, making it seem like he couldn’t decide if he was happy or sad. Then he tucked my hair behind my ear and said, “You should get back to your grandma. It’s time for dinner.”

I nodded, at a surprising loss for words.

“I’ll meet you inside.”

“Okay.” Then I slipped out of his arms and walked away, because what else was I supposed to do, considering I’d forgotten how to talk?

I made my way back into the room and smiled when I discovered Landon already seated and surrounded by a few elderly ladies. I had no idea what it was about him, but women over seventy adored him. He was kind of adorable and charismatic, though. I guess it made sense.

Still grinning, I looked to each side of him and raised an eyebrow.

He smirked. “Great party.” He winked and I knew he was referring to his senior entourage.

“Well, I guess I’ll just find a seat way down there…somewhere,” I teased, pointing to the other side of the room.

“What? I saved you and Colby seats right here.” He pointed to the now vacant spots at his table. At the announcement of dinner, the ladies had finally gotten up and said their goodbyes.

I settled in next to him and whispered, “Wow. I feel popular by association.”

He chuckled, then leaned in and raised one eyebrow. “To be honest, I only came for the ego boost.”