Say You're Mine (The Gallaghers Book 1) by Layla Hagen (digital ebook reader .txt) 📗

to New York and give you a piece of my mind. You know how mean I can get.”

“Oh, I know,” I said with a grin.

Instinctively, I looked around the yard for her. She was at the drinks table, filling her glass with lemonade. She glanced over her shoulder, as if feeling I was watching her. I winked. She made a “come here” motion with her finger.

“Awww, look at him,” Jana said in a fake whisper.

I gave them the side-eye before heading to Isabelle. I set my empty plate on the corner with side dishes so I could wrap an arm around her waist from behind and kiss the side of her neck.

“How is it going?” I asked. “Anyone drive you crazy yet?”

“Not at all. I got so much intel from everyone. It’s amazing.”

“Define intel.”

“Ha! No I won’t.”

“Isabelle...”

“Don’t use that sexy voice,” she chastised in a whisper. “We’re in public.”

“But it’ll get me what I want.”

She turned around slowly, tilting her head playfully. “Hmmm... no it won’t. Just because you’re too self-assured.”

I laughed, kissing her neck again. “So you’re having fun?”

“Oh yes. The crowd is a blast.”

Right then Mom announced we were starting a game of charades, something we always did on her birthday. We’d given her the gifts before. I gave her a special spa gift card—she could order all their services to be performed at the house.

“That’s a very unusual tradition. How did it start?” Isabelle asked me.

Everyone moved toward the left side of the yard, where the game would be taking place. Isabelle and I were the only ones left at the table.

“You really want to know?”

She grinned. “Yeah, why not?”

I’d never met anyone so interested in that sort of detail.

“When Jana was seven, she wouldn’t stop playing even when Mom wanted to bring out the cake. So Mom suggested we all play one game together before the cake. Everyone had so much fun that we did it again next year, and eventually it became a habit.”

She chuckled, rubbing her palms together in excitement.

“Okay, well, I suck at charades. Will you be on my team and save my ass?”

I tilted forward until the tips of our noses almost touched. “I don’t think so, Miss You’re Too Self-Assured.”

“Are you saying my ass isn’t worth saving?” She wiggled it, taunting me.

A deep sound reverberated from my throat.

She stilled her movement. “Holy shit! That got me a growl? You’re so easy tonight, Mr. Clarke.”

I blinked, confused. “How does a growl equal easy?”

“Well, I have a scale. A groan means you’re on edge. A growl means you’re very close to finding an excuse to pull me in a dark, secluded corner and have your way with me.”

I burst out laughing, but before I had a chance to reply, Jana called us all to the section of the yard where we were playing.

“Come here, you little vixen. I’ll be on your team and save your ass.” I winked at Isabelle.

Taking her hand, I didn’t miss her smug smile as we joined everyone else. My cousins’ words were still ringing in my mind. Had I really been keeping everyone away? Built a fortress, as they called it? It hadn’t been my intention. But this feisty woman I was crazy for had somehow seen right through me. I couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to have her in my life.

“Hey, Mr. Clarke, I like that smile.” She pointed at my mouth. “And I want to hear all about it later. But right now, I need you to focus.”

She was only going to hear about it in New York. Because I’d decided I would do anything in my power to keep Isabelle in my life. I just needed a good plan.

One she couldn’t say no to.

Chapter EighteenIsabelle

We returned to New York on Monday morning. Brayden dropped me off at my office, because I insisted a lot. Sasha had also monitored the place and said there didn’t seem to be reporters around anymore. Even though I’d told all my clients we’d have online sessions today, I still wanted to check out the area. There were no reporters in front of my building.

“See? Sasha was right. I’m yesterday’s news,” I said.

Brayden was still glowering, looking around outside.

“Oh, why are you so grumpy?” I gave him a quick peck on the lips, cupping his jaw. I made eye contact with him until he smiled. Mission accomplished.

After getting out of the car, I headed straight inside the building. I met a few neighbors in the elevator and greeted them a little too enthusiastically. What can I say? After a weekend like the one I had, I was on cloud nine.

Once inside my office, I made myself a coffee. As I sipped from it, my phone buzzed with a message from Josie.

Josie: You’ve been silent all weekend. I can’t take the suspense any longer. HOW WAS IT?

Laughing, I put down my coffee cup and typed with both hands.

Isabelle: How about I tell you in person?

Josie: Awesome!

Josie: No, wait. I still want some details NOW.

Isabelle: What’s with the caps lock?

Josie: Sophie hasn’t slept well this last week... so neither have I.

Aww, my poor sister. I was going to drop by her house tonight with her favorite takeout food. I was certain Hunter was pampering her a lot, but sister time never hurt.

Isabelle: My first session starts in five minutes. I’ll text you during the next break.

Josie: You’re mean :-(

Isabelle: I love you.

I logged on my computer for the first session, happy I could do it from the comfy chair at my desk. The client I was talking to was going through a rough divorce, and my heart was breaking for her.

“Lilly, is the journaling helping you at all?”

“When I do it, yes. But some mornings, I forget to.”

“Why don’t you put it on your nightstand so it’s the first thing you see every morning?”

“That’s a good idea. I’ll do that.”

“Try to fill out every section. When you get to the one where it asks what things bring you joy, try