Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)(86)

“A basketball court?” Isabel got a hanger for the gown. “Won’t that be loud?”

“And annoying. There’s a sound to try to work by, the constant thump-thump of the ball on cement. I’m going to have to kill at least one of them. I see that now.”

Dellina laughed. “I do have one basketball-court-free option.”

“I wish, but they’ll never go for it.”

Dellina looked at Isabel. “I heard about what happened with your designer friend in New York. I’m sorry.”

“Me, too, but I’m dealing.”

Dellina pulled a couple of sheets from her portfolio. “I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds, but I did a couple of quick sketches using the space next door for nonbridal clothes. It wouldn’t be an expensive remodel, and you can get a lot more in there than you’d think. Especially if you use the dressing rooms you already have.”

Isabel took the papers and glanced at the designs. They were clean and well thought out. She immediately saw the potential and how the two stores would flow together.

“I like this,” she said. “Give me some time to look them over. Then maybe we could talk. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but...”

She pressed her lips together. The song in her head had disappeared, because she did know what she was going to do. The answer was ridiculously simple. Fool’s Gold offered her everything she could possibly want. Friends, a new business and a place to belong.

“I’m staying,” she said softly, not sure she believed the words, yet knowing they were right. “I’m staying,” she repeated more firmly.

“I’m so glad,” Dellina said, hugging her. “We have to talk later. I have a thousand ideas about the store.”

Taryn watched them both, then looked at Isabel. “You and I should talk, as well. You’re going to need capital. However much money you have put away, it’s not enough.”

Isabel nodded slowly. “You’re right. But I can go slow.”

“Or you can start with an ass-kicking opening. I’m interested in helping. As a silent partner. I earned my money the old-fashioned way, and there’s plenty of it. If I’m going to be stuck in this town, then I might as well have fun. Working with you would give me that.”

How unexpected, Isabel thought. “Let’s schedule a meeting,” she said, thinking she could learn a lot from the woman. And not just about business.

* * *

KENT DIDN’T UNDERSTAND what had happened. He’d returned from his math competition only to find Consuelo wasn’t taking his calls. He’d seen her in the grocery store last night, but she’d ducked out of sight before he could catch up with her.

The message was clear—she’d changed her mind about him. In the three days he’d been gone, she’d had time to think, and he wasn’t who or what she wanted.

The truth hurt, he admitted, as he pulled into the CDS parking lot. That night with her had been incredible. He’d thought...well, he’d thought a lot of things. Not just that they had chemistry, but that she cared about him. That she liked how they were together and that she wanted more of that.

But he’d been fooling himself. Or she’d figured out the truth. About him and about Lorraine.

Consuelo was sweet and kind despite her tough exterior. She was too nice to tell him what had happened, so she was avoiding him. While he wanted to keep his pride intact, he knew that the right thing to do was to man-up. He would say what had to be said and then let her get on with her life.

He found her in her office. The room was small and utilitarian. There were no feminine touches.

She looked up as he entered, her expression unreadable. He stepped into her office and closed the door behind him.

He’d imagined seeing her again so many times while he’d been gone. He’d pictured her rushing into his arms, holding him tight and never letting go. He’d thought about her having dinner with him and Reese, then sneaking in a few kisses after he drove her home. He’d hoped this weekend they would have a repeat performance of their last night together.

He wanted to be angry, but he knew the fault was his. Mistakes from the past had come back to haunt him.

“Hey,” he said as he took a seat. “How’s it going?”

“Fine.”

She looked tired. Or maybe he was seeing what he wanted to see. That she hadn’t been sleeping well because of the decision she had to make. The truth was probably much harsher—that she didn’t care enough to sweat his reaction.

“I know what you want to say,” he began, figuring there was no point in pretending otherwise. “You’re not interested in a regular guy like me. You thought you were, but all that danger and testosterone is more interesting than a man who teaches math to teenagers.”

Consuelo slowly rose to her feet. “What the hell are you talking about?”

He frowned. “You sound angry.”

“Of course I’m angry. I’m hurt and I should know better, right? The joke’s on me for thinking you were different.”

“Because of Lorraine.”

Her dark eyes widened. “Who is Lorraine? You disappeared for three days and then you cheated?”

“What? No. Lorraine is my ex.”

“You saw your ex?”