The Wedding Wish

Trudy said, “he did turn out to be a bad apple.”
    Isabel’s expression grew long. “He cheated on me.”
    Silence settled over the table as Robert held Isabel’s gaze. If there was one thing Robert knew for sure, it was that, if he had someone like Isabel, he’d never look at another woman. “Then he must have been a fool.”
    “He certainly was.” Kip stood beside his wife. “Here, let me help with those dishes. That is,” he said, turning toward the others, “if everybody’s done?”
    “I’m done,” Isabel said softly.
    “Me too,” Robert said, still lost in her gaze. But in an odd sort of way, he felt like things between them were just beginning.

    A short time later, Robert and Isabel stood on the stoop outside her apartment building, saying good night.
    “I had a really good time at dinner,” he told her. “Thanks for including me.”
    “You stood up to my Dad’s grilling pretty well. Thanks for indulging him and being so polite.”
    “I understand he cares about you.”
    “Yeah.”
    “I know what that’s like.”
    Isabel stared up into gorgeous brown eyes, remembering what it was like caring for Robert. As a kid, she’d more than cared for him. She’d had a raging crush. And, by the way her pulsed raced each time he looked in her eyes, she wasn’t sure she was over it.
    “Isabel,” he said, as moonlight hovered up above and a light breeze blew. “Do you think we could…? What I mean is, would you like to do this again? Dinner sometime? Just the two of us?”
    She felt her cheeks warm. “Just the two of us sounds fine.”
    “It will probably be less eventful that way.”
    “Maybe,” she said with a saucy lilt to her voice. “Then again, it could get tricky.”
    “Tricky?” He grinned, and her heart went all aflutter.
    “Who knows what could happen with the two of us left alone?”
    “We used to get into quite a bit of trouble,” he agreed, stepping closer. Memories tugged her back over the years and into his arms. They were lanky then, but muscled now. Toned enough to pull her close, pressing his all-grown-up body to hers. If only he would hold her, she would let him. Just to relive that old feeling once again. “And something tells me your dad hasn’t forgotten.”
    “Maybe he sees you differently now.”
    “What do you see?” he asked, looking down at her.
    “I like what I see.” Her eyes lingered on his. “And I’ve seen quite a lot.”
    When he spoke, his voice was raspy. “Oh man, I can’t believe you were in that studio. I’m sorry you had to see that.”
    “You don’t have to apologize to me,” she said softly. “The human body’s very beautiful in all its dimensions.” Robert’s in particular, though she wasn’t prepared to say so.
    “It wasn’t what you think.”
    “I don’t care.”
    “You didn’t mind it? Seeing me that way?”
    “Robert. I’m an artist, a professional. One body is the same as the next,” she lied.
    “Hmm. I’m not sure if I could say the same, were you the patient and me the doctor.”
    “I believe we’ve been there and done that.”
    “Yeah,” he said with a wistful look. “I would have done it more, but your dad always walked in on us.”
    “Robert!” she said with a laugh. “That’s probably why he didn’t like you.”
    “It’s most certainly why he didn’t like me. I’d likely have reacted the same about my own daughter.”
    “Something tells me you’ll be a little more laid back about parenting.”
    “Might somewhat depend.”
    “On what?”
    “Whether I have boys or girls.”
    “Go on!” She shot him a smile, enjoying their banter. How she wished it could continue and that this evening wouldn’t have to end.
    “Isabel?”
    “Huh?”
    “Would you mind if showed you something?”
    “Aren’t we a little old for that?” she teased.
    “We’re not too old for this.” He reached forward and lightly thumbed her nose, the way he used to do when they were kids, and her heart hammered harder. “Spend a few more minutes with me, Isabel. There’s something I’d really like you to see.”

    Robert had been having so much fun with Isabel, he hadn’t been ready for their time together to end. Seeing her again was like stepping into a time warp, where a crazy jumble of emotions came tumbling back. He knew they’d just been kids, but a guy didn’t easily forget his first love—even if he loved her at age thirteen. Robert had been one year older and a year ahead in school. It had