Page 64 of Check Mate

“Oh, right.” I think for a beat. “How have those two made the long distance thing work?”

Drew quirks a brow. “They don’t really have a choice. Madden goes back and forth between Kansas and D.C. all the time.”

“Odette and the boys visit him in D.C. pretty often too,” Brooks adds. “I know it’s hard on them though, which is why he’s not running for another term.”

“Yeah, that must be really difficult.” I lean forward and rest my forearms on my knees. “Isa and I are taking a break for a few weeks to clear our heads and think about how this can really work.”

They nod in unison, neither speaking, probably wanting me to continue. “We were on that trip together and then we lived next door to each other… everything was getting blurry, you know?”

Drew smirks like he knows exactly what I’m talking about. Brooks’ eyebrows draw together in a confused expression.

“Anyway, she didn’t want to end things and I didn’t want to hold her back from this new opportunity… so we settled on taking a break and reevaluating in three weeks.”

Drew’s face turns to the same look of confusion as Brooks’.

“Do you know what the definition of insanity is?” Brooks asks before huffing out a laugh. “Doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different outcome.”

Drew and Brooks chuckle at my dumbfounded expression. Drew shoves Brooks playfully. “Dude, I always forget you’re smart.”

“I’m more than just a pretty face!” Brooks lifts his nose in the air haughtily, then turns to me and continues, “You and Isabella are expecting something to change over the next few weeks when neither of you is willing to change the situation.”

Drew nods with a sigh. “Insanity.”

I stand from my seat so fast the chair scoots a few inches and squeaks on the wood floor. I throw my hands in the air and begin pacing in front of the sofa. I do this so often now, I’m going to wear out a path on the wood floor.

“How am I supposed to change the situation? Lock her in my attic?”

“Or you could go with her.” Drew shrugs like what he’s suggesting is no big deal.

I scoff. “And what about my house? And my business? And my clients?”

“Okay, we get it. You’re a very important person,” Brooks says sarcastically. “But seriously, you don’t need the money. Your real estate investments and stocks have you set for life.”

“B-b-but,” I trip over my own words. “I hate new places. As well as most people. I mean, me? Traveling all the time?”

They both look at me silently with smug looks on their faces, like they think this is somehow all sorted out now.

But my family is here. And I like my work… I like my home.

But do I love those things as much as I love Isa?

Yes, love. I’ve been kidding myself, pretending I’m not already in love with the woman. I’m pretty sure I started falling the minute she moved in next door to me.

Chapter twenty-seven

Isabella

“I’m gonna miss you guys so much,” I tell my sisters as we embrace. We stay like that, holding onto each other for a full minute before the airport intercom announces my flight is now boarding.

Lily is ugly crying, but Rosa is putting on a brave face for all of us. Her eyes are glossy with the tears she’s trying so hard to hold back.

“FaceTime us every day, okay?” Rosa says, her chin beginning to quiver.

“More than once a day!” Lily says, making us laugh.

Papa, who’s been standing off to the side, letting us have our moment, comes forward and pulls me into his arms. He kisses the top of my head. Then he whispers, “Give Mama some time. She’s stubborn.”

“I know,” I whisper back, burying my face in his chest. His flannel shirt smells faintly of fajitas, which is surprisingly soothing. Papa’s arms are familiar and comforting, and I’m glad he’s here to see me off. Even if my mother refused to come.