Isaac

Beth doesn't look too happy to see me. Her reaction unnerves me a little, but the guy with his arm around her concerns me even more. Who is this guy?

"Well, aren't you two cozy!" Sophie says. Beth glares at her, but it doesn't faze her. "Sorry to disturb you, but Isaac has a quick question for you, Beth."

"Sophie, can I talk to you?" Beth says. "Privately."

I've rarely seen her so heated. She is usually so composed and pulled together. Beth's flushed face and passionate words reminds me of the times when we were younger and she defended me. Her fury would be a bit of a turn on if it weren't for the fact that she's mad at me. Beth pulls Sophie aside, but she's upset enough that her voice is raised and I hear every word.

"Why is he here?" Beth hisses. I'm beginning to rethink my decision to swing by. Maybe it would be better to let her calm down first, but I really can't wait.

"I invited him," Sophie says.

"And you didn't even think to tell me?"

Sophie shrugs.

"Sorry, Beth. I forgot. I invite loads of people to these parties. I can't keep everyone straight."

The guy in the blue shirt smiles at me and extends his hand.

"Greg," he introduces himself.

"Isaac," I say, trying to keep my voice friendly. He seems like a nice enough guy. None of this is his fault.

"Beth, I'm really sorry. I didn't realize you were so upset when I invited him. I wouldn't have done it if I knew you cared."

"I don't. I mean, I do, but ... I don't know what I mean. It's okay, Sophie. It's not your fault. I'll just talk to him real quick and see what he wants. You need to get back to your guests."

Sophie walks past me and gives me a thumbs up sign, then cranks the music up so it's thumpin' again.

Beth brushes past me and leans down to Greg. For a moment I think she's going to kiss him, but instead she whispers in his ear. I really don't think she needs to be quite so close to him. If I didn't know Beth better, I would think she's trying to make me jealous. She's not that type though. At least I don't think she is. What do I know, though? It's not like I even know her anymore.

Then she stalks past me and around the side of the house. I have to take long strides to keep up with her.

We arrive at the front and she turns toward me, folding her arms. She is stunning—everything about her. The hair, the makeup, the outfit. Clearly she made a lot of effort to look nice for this Greg guy. I have the irrational desire to take her hands and wrap them around me. Considering I'd rather not end up with a black eye, though, I don't act on it.

"What do you want Isaac?" she asks.

"Beth, are you okay?" I ask cautiously. She half sobs, half laughs.

"Really? You actually have the audacity to ask me that after what happened today? Look, let's make this easy. You don't need to say anything. You do your thing, I'll do mine, and we'll leave each other alone. Okay?"

I pause.

"You're talking about the Solere competition, aren't you?" I ask.

"Yes. Isn't that what you came to talk about?" Beth asks.

"Not exactly. I wanted to speak to you about your house."

"My house?" Beth says. "Oh."

"I'm interested in renting it."

Beth looks at me with a strange expression.

"Why would you possibly want to rent our house after ... everything?"

"It's not for me," I say hastily. "It's for Gran. I was late earlier today because a heating element went out at the cafe and she nearly burned the kitchen down." Beth gasps.

"Is Violetta okay?" she asks. I rub my neck and look down into Beth's concerned eyes. She's anxious for Gran, I know, but I miss it being directed toward me. For a moment at David's party I thought she might still care, but then she left before I could even dance with her. She still needs to explain that one.

"She's fine, this time. She might not be so lucky next time. It's not safe for Gran to cook alone, especially when the equipment is breaking down. I remembered how nice your kitchen was, and I thought it would be a good place for her to prep food for the cafe. Her house needs a lot of expensive repairs as well. Her house probably ought to be condemned, but she loves the old place too much. I figured I could hit two birds with one stone by providing her a comfortable place to stay and a safe place to cook. I'll be living at Gran's house to oversee the repairs."

"I'm not sure," Beth says, biting her lip. "There's a possibility we may only rent the house out for just the summer for now. Won't Violetta need it longer?"

"That's fine. The summer should give us plenty of time to get the repairs made to her home. I'm hoping by then I can convince her to move the cafe to a new location."

"Good luck with that. I've been trying to convince Violetta for years that she should move," Beth says.

"She's pretty stubborn," I admit. "She's convinced her customers won't follow her. To be honest, she may be right. She's too afraid to even take a chance though."

I need to clear the air on one point.

"Are you sure your family will be okay with us renting it? I mean, after what happened when we were in high school?" I ask. Beth shrugs.

"They're in Nantucket. They've put me in charge of renting it out, so it shouldn't be a problem. Besides, they've always liked Violetta."

What she doesn't say hangs heavy between us. It was only me her family had the problem with. Me and Polly.

Beth eyes dart to the backyard where we hear howls of laughter.

"I need to get back," she says. "I'll text you the name and number of the rental company tomorrow so you can work it out with them."

Beth turns to go back to the party.

And Greg.

"Wait," I say. "Can you show me the house?"

Beth looks back at the party, then at me again, clearly torn.

"I don't know, Isaac. It's pretty much the way you remember it."

"Yes, but I haven't been in all the rooms, and I need to make sure it would work for Gran. She can't use the stairs because of her knees, and I know most of the bedrooms are upstairs."

"She has a few options downstairs," Beth says, again with eyes darting toward the party.

"That's good. I'm planning to talk to her about it tonight," I say. "I think I might have a better chance of talking her into moving while the fire is still fresh in her mind, but until I see the space, I don't want to get her hopes up."

"It may be an older home, but it's well maintained," Beth says defensively.

"I'm sure it is," I say in as soothing a voice as I can muster. "I just need to be sure it's right for Violetta before making promises."

Beth bites her lip again. She has no idea how distracting that is.

"Fine," she says, giving me a pointed look. "For Violetta. Let me get the key."

She walks inside Sophie's house, and I wait outside with my hands in my pockets. I had been too distracted by thoughts of finding a solution for Gran on my way over to notice Sophie's house, but now I soak it in.

It was built later than Beth's, but it is far from modern. It is a stately, white house, with a generous wraparound porch and a cushioned swing. Green shutters frame the windows and are accented by brilliant flower boxes. It definitely fits the architecture in this neighborhood.

Beth returns faster than I expect and brushes past me. As she does, I notice she is wearing the same perfume she used to wear when we were in college. I am overwhelmed with thoughts of happier times. I'm here to help Gran, I remind myself, though it's hard to remember that with Beth looking so blasted desirable!

We walk a few houses down. Beth unlocks the gate first, then we walk up the cobblestone walk that leads to her house. This time it's impossible to resist the memories that flood me. In particular, my eye is drawn to a gnarled maple tree that stretches its branches to scrape Beth's bedroom window.

Beth unlocks the door and swings it open for me. It feels strange to go inside after years of being forbidden to enter this space.

I step inside the familiar entryway. The wide planked hardwood floors gleam beneath my feet, and a row of sconces cast a glow on the cream patterned wallpaper. There is something almost magical about this house to me.

Beth turns the light on in the kitchen and it's just as I remember it. The elegant black granite countertops, the burnished cherry cabinets with silver handles, the large island with thick butcher block top. This space will be perfect for Gran's cooking.

She leads me into the dining room. Seeing the huge table in the middle of the room, I am reminded of the times Beth and I sat there doing our homework. It looks like the room has been cleared out.

"Your mother's portrait is missing," I say, pointing at the wall. "You took down that stitched wall hanging, too." Beth looks at me strangely.

"You noticed," she says.

"How could I forget? I was here almost every day for awhile," I say. "Didn't you sew that? You and your mother?"

Beth is silent for a moment, and I wonder if I've made a mistake to bring up her mother.

"I'm sorry if I said something wrong. I didn't mean—"

"No," Beth says, clearing her throat. "No, it's fine. Yes, we did both make it. I'm moving them to our cottage on Nantucket Island."

She leads me to a bedroom not far from the kitchen. It isn't large, but it is cozy, with a patchwork quilt on the queen sized bed and a large stone fireplace. The room will suit Gran, I'm sure. Much better than the fancy bedrooms upstairs.

"So?" Beth says as we walk back through the kitchen.

"It'll be perfect for Gran," I say with confidence.

"Well, I hope if you decide to rent the house, Violetta enjoys it," Beth says. Formal Beth is back. I don't like being treated so impersonally.

As we pass by the ballroom, I stop abruptly and Beth runs into me from behind. I turn and she steps back a few paces. She eyes me warily. In my mind's eye, I am swept back in time. I see us dancing together, listening to the music only we can hear.

"Remember, Beth? Remember prom?"

Beth looks into my eyes with tears in hers. I see the pain in her eyes. It hurts to know I'm the cause of it. Maybe if I just explain why she was switched to a new group, she'll understand.

"Beth—" I begin, but her cell phone rings. She takes it.

"I'm on my way back, Sophie. Yes. No. No problem, I'll grab another bag of chips from the kitchen. See you soon." She pockets her phone.

"I have to go back," she says, brushing past me toward the front door. I grab her hand and she stops.

"Do you have to go?" I ask. She won't look at me.

"I can't go there Isaac, I just can't," she says, pulling her hand from mine and stalking toward the front door. I rush to keep up with her, following her out of the house and back into Sophie's, into the kitchen where she grabs a back of Doritos and take them outside. She hasn't walked many steps before she stops short.

I look over her shoulder to see what has drawn her attention. She is staring at Greg. He is laughing and splashing water on a gorgeous girl in a pink bikini. The girl is also laughing, then reaches her arms up around his neck and pulls his lips to hers.

Beth's knuckles are turning white around the bag and her face is paler than I've ever seen it. Idiot! Greg doesn't know what he's missing.

I gently touch Beth's arm to comfort her, but as she turns and I see her face, I freeze.

"Haven't you done enough?" she spits out as her eyes spark at me.

I let go like I've been burned and step back. Why am I even trying? I'm so done with this.

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If you enjoyed this chapter, please hit the star!

So how many of you are saying NOOOOOOO about now?! Poor Beth and Isaac can never seem to get a break, can they? Still, what do you think about Isaac noticing the missing portrait and stitched sampler, and remembering Beth and her mother sewed it? What do you think of Beth's reaction? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the chapter.

I'm lovin' this song right now and currently have it on replay. Check it out if you have a moment.

Dedication for this chapter goes out to the lovely @lkrice. I have so enjoyed reading her poems. She is so talented! If you enjoy good poetry, you really ought to check her writing out by clicking on the dedi link. Thanks for your support of Restless Hope, LouAnn!