me slouching in the hall from halfway around the globe. “I’m actually in the middle of something right now.”
My mother gives a huff of dismay. “Something more important than boarding a private jet home to serve your familial obligations?”
I swallow hard, hating how small I suddenly feel. “I’m trying on my wedding dress.” My mother’s sharp intake of breath forces me to clarify. “For Jonathan’s wedding,” I blurt. “My brother who gave me the kidney. I’m part of his—”
“I know who Jonathan is, Isabella.” The tightness in her voice suggests I’ve missed my mark in trying to tug her heartstrings. “He’s not the only one who needs you, you know.”
I close my eyes and lean back against the wall. “I know that, Mother.”
“I don’t think you do know, Isabella. Patience is running thin. There’s been talk.”
There is always talk. I can’t bring myself to ask for details, but I don’t need to.
“Rumors are circulating that you’re planning to disgrace the family,” she continues. “Do you have any idea what sort of political upheaval would be caused by—”
“I know!” The words land like a slap. “I know what’s at stake, Mother. And I’ve told you, I’ll be home soon.”
“When?”
“Soon.”
“That’s not good enough. The situation is dire.”
“Dire?”
My mother sighs, then lowers her voice. “It’s not just our family counting on you. You understand what shame can do to a person.”
I understand precisely, which is why it’s the knife she’s choosing to twist. “I do understand.”
“I’m not sure you do. If anything happens—”
“I said I’ll come home soon.”
“And I said I’m finished with your vague platitudes, Isabella.”
I let out a slow breath as someone rounds the corner at the end of the hall. It’s Mark’s wife, Chelsea, beaming like she’s thrilled to see me. I smile back and wave, delighted to see her in spite of everything. I gesture to the phone so she knows why I can’t talk.
It’s not the only reason. I can’t find my voice, can’t find a way to force the words up my throat and into my mother’s ear. She must hear the weakness in me because her voice rings out crisp and tight.
“I’ll make the arrangements,” my mother says as Chelsea draws closer. “Knowing there’s a date on the calendar and a scheduled flight should be enough to calm things down for now.”
“But—” My protest dies as Jade and Amber push through the side door and nearly collide with Chelsea. I watch as all three women—my friends, these wives of my brothers and cousin—embrace and laugh and draw back to touch Chelsea’s belly.
I blink hard against the realization gripping me. I’m an outsider to the world inhabited by these women. I love them, and I want so badly to belong here, but I can’t. Deep down, I’ve always known this.
Bradley’s face flashes in my mind, knocking the breath from my lungs. I’m going under, dragged down by the force of my wish for something I can never have.
“All right.” I breathe the words softly into the phone. They’re almost not words at all, but a surrender, a white flag waving tiredly over my head. “All right, Mother.”
Bradley appears on my porch at exactly six with Kevin on a leash. Both are wearing red bowties, but only one oinks cheerfully at the sight of me.
“Izzy.” Bradley kisses me softly on the lips as he hands off Kevin’s leash. “Guess we’re both pretty happy to see you.”
Kevin’s snorts turn to flat-out squeals as I bend down to scratch his ears. “Hey, friend. It’s been too long.”
Nosing me aside, Kevin trots straight into the living room and makes a beeline for his pet bed. I trail after him and unclip the leash, stopping to scratch beneath his neckwear.
“What’s the occasion?” I ask Bradley as he slips off his own bowtie and lays it on the counter.
“My mother’s idea,” he says. “They’re from my sister’s wedding a few years ago. Mom thought it would be a cute way to present Kevin for his new living arrangement.”
“And it is.” I move toward Bradley, unable to keep my distance as I twine my fingers behind his neck and stretch up on tiptoe to kiss him
He responds like I’ve dumped kerosene on a fire, deepening the kiss as I moan and press against him. It’s like I’m starved for human contact, or maybe just for Bradley. He’s warm and solid and delicious and I can’t seem to draw back.
“Mmm.” He kisses me harder, sliding his hands around my back to cup my backside. We