Letting Go by Bridie Hall Read Free Book Online Page A

talking, so she didn’t voice her thoughts.
    But like always, Chloe read her mind. “I know, hon. But if he was tracking your every step, you’d wish he wasn’t. You know?”
    Isabelle nodded, but then realized Chloe couldn’t see her.
    “I guess so.”
    Chloe was used to jumbled family dynamics from her own single-parent family. Her mother was a volatile illustrator that didn’t drive, didn’t even manage to pay bills or cook lunch when she was supposed to. Isabelle loved her as a fellow artist, but she could imagine what life was like for Chloe. She had had to prepare her own lunch box since first grade. Chloe didn’t know what it was like to grow up because she’d never really experienced a carefree childhood.
    “Do you want me to go to your house and check on him?”
    “No, that’s okay. I’ll be home tomorrow afternoon at the latest, anyway.”
    “Okay. But if I see him, I’ll tell him you’re fine. And that he lost his phone,” Chloe chuckled.
    “Thanks. You’re the best.”
    “Take care.”
    “You too.”
    “Call me tomorrow, will you?”
    “Sure thing.”
    ****
    Isabelle heard hurried footsteps outside. For a second she thought they stopped in front of her room, but then she heard the knock on Harper’s door. Muted words followed and then the steps retreated. The walls were thin and she could hear that the TV was on in the adjacent room. She made a face at the wall as if her annoyance could seep through to Harper.
    Although she was tired, her body was still used to the European time and she had a feeling she would have trouble sleeping. And Harper got the TV. Why was that again?
    A s econd later, when a knock reverberated through the small room, she jerked up on the bed.
    “ Isabelle?” It was Harper.
    “What?” She wasn’t in the mood to talk to him, much less to see him.
    “Can I come in?” She didn’t know anyone who could sound so arrogant when making a request.
    “Go away.”
    “Come on, Isabelle. There’s nothing on TV anyway.”
    “I don’t care. Leave me alone. I want to sleep.”
    “But you said you couldn’t. I can’t either. And I have pizza.”
    At the mention of food, her stomach grumbled. Earlier, she was trying to ignore the hunger. She was cashless and she was too proud to ask Harper for money. Now that he mentioned pizza, she was so starved she thought she could smell it through the door.
    She was hesitating between giving in and opening the door, and being stubborn and keeping her pride.
    “I’m not hungry,” she said feebly.
    “You haven’t eaten anything the entire afternoon. You must be starving, Isabelle. Don’t be a fool.”
    Was she being a fool? To her mind, letting Harper into her motel room seemed much more foolish. The tension in the car had been quite enough for her today, it exhausted her. But she was famished. And pizza ... Her mouth watered and she had trouble swallowing.
    She glared at Harper through the door as she opened it for a fraction. He offered the pizza box as a peace offering. Or was that offering a piece?
    “Sorry about the TV. You can come to my room if you want to watch it. But like I said, it’s nothing on. It’s too early for porn.” He smiled sweetly. He’d taken off his jacket and was now in his black t-shirt.
    She rolled her eyes. “You’re such a cliché,” she gritted through her teeth , but then she glanced at the box and her expression mellowed.
    She opened the door wider and steppe d aside for him to enter.
    He placed the box on the side table and opened it . The smell of cheese and ham attacked her nostrils. Her stomach grumbled again. Harper must’ve heard it but he didn’t comment. She was grateful for that. Her pride had already suffered enough for one day.
    “Dig in.” He sat down on the chair, and it squeaked under his weight.
    “Thanks. ” She sat down on the edge of the bed.
    The first bite tasted like heaven. It must’ve shown on her face because Harper said, “That looked orgasmic.”
    All