Unknown (2 page)

At 11 years old, the favorite activity of both girls seemed to be bothering him. Stealing his books and following him around when he wanted to hand out with friends. He’d even caught the two of them attempting to spy on him when he’d invited a girlfriend over to his house.

Eventually, they stopped being quite so annoying as they all got older. When the girls were about 15 years old, Angela stopped wearing her long hair in the thick single braid that hung between her shoulder blades. She also stopped wearing the baggy, unfeminine clothing she used to prefer before. Even then, her figure was decidedly curvier than many of her friends, probably the reason she wore over-sized clothing so often.

It was around this age that both girls started dating. One of those dates apparently hadn’t gone as planned because somehow he ended up driving the girls to the movie theater as a chaperone. He ended up as a pseudo date for Angela when her date for the night didn’t arrive and Marcella wanted to sit with her date, far, far away from her brother.

It didn’t really bother Isaac very much since he’d already had his fair share of failed movie theater encounters. He sincerely doubted his sister would be able to come up with anything that he hadn’t already tried with very limited success.

Therefore, he wasn’t overly concerned when the two pairs were separated as the movie theater emptied at the end of the night. Angela and Isaac tossed their empty popcorn boxes into the trash and headed to the car to wait for Marcella and her date to appear.

While they were leaning against the car and talking, Angela mentioned being nervous about her first kiss. He hadn’t even truly considered what he was doing before his lips landed on top of hers. Her motions were hesitant at first, but by small degrees, her actions became increasingly bolder. With growing passion, he clasped her face in his hands and deepened the kiss. Their surroundings were forgotten until he heard the sound of someone clearing their throat.

Marcella was apparently not very happy to catch him making out with her friend, and proceeded to yell at him for it when they returned home that night. Unfortunately for him, his father was near enough to overhear the conversation. When Marcella stormed from the kitchen, his father sat him down to talk him. When he left the kitchen that night, his father’s words thumped inside of his head like the steady pounding of a drum. His father’s warning was simple, “Stay away from Angela.”

For years he’d heeded his father’s advice, and kept his distance. The two of them never discussed what happened that night. Instead they behaved more like siblings with him offering advice and help when needed, and keeping his mouth closed when said advice, was deemed unwelcome. When he attended college an hour from home Angela had kept in touch via email.

He’d done his best to keep things strictly platonic over the years, but now he wasn’t so certain that he should bother. Angela wasn’t a kid anymore, and the age difference no longer mattered.

His sister’s sharp elbow hitting him in the stomach, quickly bringing his thoughts back into the present, and he realized he’d been caught staring. He shrugged his smile unapologetic.

“What are you doing, Isaac?” Marcella glared at him, her arms now folded over her chest.

“Well, right now I’m standing on the beach,” he taunted. “In a few minutes I’m going to grab a soda and a bratwurst off the table sitting 15 feet to our left.”

“I’m serious. She’s my friend Isaac. Leave her alone.”

The words were too similar to the ones recently echoing in his thoughts and that annoyed him. “Why?” He snapped irritably, “Your friend is a grown woman, Marcella. You don’t think she can make her own choices?”

“She’s not some sleazy rebound skank. She’s better than that!” she defended hotly.

Isaac took a deep breath, and fought the urge to explain himself. His choices were his own and he didn‘t need to defend his actions. “I know that Ella. I haven’t seen you in two months, and already you are yelling at me. I think we might’ve set a new record.”

Marcella wasn’t ready to give up yet. “What happened between you and Lauren?”

Isaac’s gaze was colder than ice when he responded, “Marcella, my personal life is just that- personal.”

Marcella glared at him for a moment longer before dropping her gaze from his. Her gaze bounced around him, not meeting his eyes, before she changed the topic. “We’ll see. I’m going to go grab something to eat.”

Isaac narrowed his gaze as he watched her receding form maneuver through the throng of people clustered near the picnic tables. He was wary. He’d watched her use that same tactic on their parents when she was told not to do something. She would wait patiently until their focus was no longer on her, and then she would sneak away and do whatever she chose. Not an outcome he looked forward to encountering in this situation. He’d have to keep an eye on his baby sister.

“Excuse me. Do you have a light?”

Isaac turned around to find a tall, thin blonde standing just behind him. “Sorry. I don’t smoke,” he told her politely.

She shrugged and tucked the cigarette in her hand back into a purse dangling from her arm. “Oh well, I’m always saying I should quit anyway. I’m Jessica.” She smiled and held out her hand for him.

“Isaac,” he shook the hand held in front of him. There were so many bracelets on her wrist that they tinkled as her wrist moved up and down.

“Whitman? That would make you the bosses’ son, right?” She asked her large eyes widening in surprise.

“Yes,” he confirmed.

“I should’ve known already. Angela keeps a photo on her desk of her with you and Marcella. You’ve been friends for a long time.” She noted.

Isaac shrugged. “She’d been a part of our family for a long time. She’s been a very good friend to both of us.”

“Friends? Maybe friends with a few fringe benefits?” Jessica asked boldly. Jessica laughed and took his arm leading him closer to the water.

Isaac threw his head back and laughed. “Wow!” He rubbed his jaw and smiled.“You ask a lot of questions for someone I met less than 5 minutes ago.” Isaac told her. He didn’t know this woman. Clearly, she worked for the company, but she didn’t really seem like Angela’s type of friend. Angela was a t-shirt and jeans type of girl. This woman, with her manicured nails and perfectly drawn on eyebrows, looked as though she was too high maintenance to ever be caught breaking a sweat.

She laughed and twirled one of the blond ringlets framing her face between her fingers. “Yeah, I know. It's a bad habit of mine. Opening my mouth before I actually think about what’s coming out. But I’m right, aren’t I? You’re into her.”

Isaac raised a brown but didn’t answer.

Jessica’s eyes shadowed for a moment before the brilliant smile was firmly back into place. “You don’t have to answer. I think most of the guys at work are half in love with her. Luckily for you, she doesn’t ever seem to date anyone from work or else you’d have a problem.”

***

When Marcella rushed off to greet her brother Angela started to follow her over but Charles grasped her hand in his, threading his fingers with hers, before pulling her off into another direction. Angela glanced back at Isaac before she stopped resisting and followed Charles direction until they stopped near the water’s edge.

“Where are you taking me? I’m not swimming,” she warned him quickly. She had straightened her hair only two days ago, and she really did not want to have to repeat the tedious process again if her hair was to get wet.

Charles turned to face her. “No swimming? How can you be at the beach and not want to swim? I was looking forward to seeing you get wet in that swimsuit.”

Angela laughed, “I just came for the free food. Your dad told me there would be steak but I have yet to see more than burgers and brats!”

“I could take you out for steak.” He offered.

His offered surprised Angela. She wasn’t sure if he was joking or not. Charles was always joking and flirting but for once, he actually appeared to be serious despite his spontaneous offer. “Now there’s an offer you don’t want to be making. I’d order the steak and the lobster and the shrimp.” she gently untwined their fingers and pretended she needed her hair in a ponytail and began to raking the dark strands up from her neck. “You’d be horrified. And I’d ask for a to-go tray and shove it into a massively, large purse.” she laughed lightly and she was relieved when he laughed as well.

Charles was a nice guy, charming and charismatic. He was sweet, very attractive and easy to talk to. However, she didn’t want him to think it would be a good idea to pursue her. She’d started working for the Whitman family earlier in the year when Jonathon Whitman, Marcella’s father, needed a temporary secretary. His surly temper sent many of the temporary workers running and his secretary of 10 years moved to Florida to be near her new grandchildren. Over the past year, she’d grown to love her job and the job had gradually become a permanent one.

She didn’t want to date anyone she worked with and certainly not a member of the Whitman family. It felt too weird considering how many years she’d had a crush on Isaac. While she was firmly ending the chapter on that crush and putting it behind her, it was too weird to consider dating someone so close to Isaac.

“I doubt that,” Charles replied sincerely. “Every guy in the building would be insanely jealous because the sexiest woman alive would be on my arm.”

Angela laughed aloud and put her hand on her hip and struck a pose. “Sexier than Eva Longoria?” She asked playfully.

“Definitely,” he agreed.

She stretched her petite 5”4’ frame onto her toes, reached out a hand and felt his forehead. “Yep, it's just as I suspected. The heat is starting to fry your brain!”

“I believe he would need to have a brain in order for it to be scrambled,” answered a deep voice from behind her.

Angela turned around to find Isaac and Jessica, an office temp from the Whitman Construction, standing directly behind them. It took an extreme amount of effort to keep her from rolling her eyes. Isaac had barely arrived at the picnic and he already had a new woman on his arm. She clearly needed to start dating more. Isaac’s personal life was none of her business and she certainly shouldn’t care whom he spent his time with.

“Hey, welcome back.” she greeted Isaac warmly. She reached out intending to give him a quick embrace, but he caught her around the waist and pulled her closer, hugging her much tighter than she expected.

He whispered near her ear before releasing her.

“Family of flatterers.” she countered as she stepped back.

He arched an eyebrow and smiled. “Think you can you say that five times fast?”

Angela rolled her eyes. “So Jessica, are you going to the Prom?” The minute the words left her mouth she laughed. “Is it just me or does that sound extremely juvenile? Are you going to the fundraiser in August?”

Jessica was already vigorously shaking her head. “One bad prom was enough for me!”

“What about you Isaac?” she asked lightly. His strong broad shoulders would look devastatingly handsome in a tux. It was a shame he was far too promiscuous in his attentions.

“Are you asking me to be your date Ms. Campbell?” Isaac teased his jade eyes sparkling.

“I’m afraid that honor has already been taken.” said Charles from beside her.

Isaac’s warm gaze met hers. “I guess I’ll have to see about changing your mind.” He said in a hushed tone that neither of the others heard. He turned away dropping her gaze. “Jessica, are you thirsty? I’m really thirsty.”

“Yes, I could use a cold soda.” She replied quickly.

“Charles, you don’t mind showing Jessica were to find a cold soda do you?” Isaac asked him.

Charles chuckled. “No, I don’t mind.”

As Jessica turned and walked away Charles elbowed Isaac in the side as he walked passed. “Real subtle.” He muttered before catching up to Jessica.

“You really are the devil, aren’t you?” She asked him.

“Me? What did I do?” Isaac asked his tone innocent.

Angela kicked a foot in his direction sending a spray of water that hit him square in the chest, creating a large damp mark in the middle of his cotton t-shirt. She quickly regretted the impulsive action when he started heading in her direction, a mischievous glint in his eyes. She backed away from him, her footsteps taking her further into the water. She held her hands out in front of her. “That was completely an accident.” she lied.

“Of course it was.” Isaac charged her and grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her into the air.

Angela shrieked and clawed at his arm. “Isaac stop!” she cried out as he walked deeper into the water. He continued trudging through the water and she began to struggle harder. “Please. Please. Please. I’m sorry!”

“You sure about that?” he asked with his brow raised.

Handsome asshole, she thought to herself. She didn’t realize she had narrowed her eyes. Her captor laughed and began walking further into the water again. “No! Really, I am sorry! I am!”

“You just don’t sound apologetic to me.” He told her and continued walking.

The water was past their hips now. “Concert tickets, I’ll buy you concert tickets!” She bribed desperately.

“Concert tickets huh?” He stopped walking and set her down in front of him. “What concert are you going to take me to Angela?” He asked his voice husky.

Angela crossed her arms over her chest. The air off the water felt colder and goose bumps were already rising across her shoulders. The swimsuit that seemed like adequate covering in the fluorescent store lights now felt minuscule under Isaac’s piercing gaze. The swimsuit was only technically a one piece because the two bikini pieces were connected by a mesh material covering her stomach but there were large cut out sections over her hips.

She hoped he hadn’t noticed the embarrassing state she now found her nipples. She tried to move backward, slowly sliding further out of his reach. “Whatever is on sale at Ticketmaster?” She suggested.

“Not good enough try again.” He replied.

He hadn’t moved toward her again but she didn’t trust him not to try once more to extract retribution. “It takes like two hours to flat iron my hair.” She told him and she slowly slid back another step.