Isabella

Chapter 10

The next morning, Isabella jolted awake, glancing at the clock on the nightstand. Panic set in as she realized she’d overslept—something she never did. Adrian wasn't there when she woke up, but the memory of last night had her blushing as she quickly threw on her clothes, muttering to herself.

"Adrian, you’ve ruined me," she grumbled, rushing through her morning routine. She quickly pulled her hair back, tied it in a loose bun, and hurried into the kitchen. The batch of cookies she had promised Mrs. Hawthorne, the sweet old lady who owned the bakery at the end of the street, was due soon. Isabella scrambled to get everything together.

In her haste, she cut her hand while trying to wrap the cookies, wincing as she watched the blood bead along the thin cut. “Ugh,” she hissed, grabbing a bandage and quickly wrapping it around her finger. With no time to lose, she finished up, grabbed the boxes of cookies and cupcakes, and rushed out the door, locking up behind her.

As she walked briskly toward the bakery, her thoughts drifted to Adrian. She could almost picture his smug face, knowing exactly why she was so exhausted this morning. It’s his fault I’m late, she thought, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress the flush that spread across her cheeks.

She reached the bakery, pushed open the door, and was instantly hit with the warm, sweet aroma of fresh pastries. The comforting smell helped soothe her nerves—until she glanced across the room and froze.

There, sitting in one of the cozy corner booths, were Adrian and Tyler, enjoying a late breakfast. Tyler spotted her first and waved enthusiastically. "Hey, Isabella!"

Adrian followed Tyler’s gaze and smirked when he saw her, his expression smug and amused, as if he knew exactly why she looked so shocked. That devilish grin only made her blush harder.

Taking a deep breath, Isabella walked over to the counter, handing the cookies and cupcakes to Mrs. Hawthorne, who smiled warmly. “Oh, thank you, dear. These look wonderful, as always.”

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Hawthorne,” Isabella replied, still distracted as she cast a glance toward the two men. Mrs. Hawthorne gave her a knowing look but said nothing, focusing instead on the pastries Isabella had delivered.

Turning on her heel, Isabella headed towards Adrian and Tyler. Adrian greeted her with a bright smile and pulled her in for a kiss on the cheek, completely nonchalant. "Morning, love."

“Morning,” she muttered, still thrown by the scene in front of her. Tyler gave her an easy grin, oblivious to the tension swirling in her thoughts.

“You’re out early,” Adrian remarked, clearly enjoying her flustered state.

She raised an eyebrow at him, her voice laced with mock annoyance. “I would’ve been out earlier if someone hadn’t kept me up all night.”

Adrian’s smirk deepened, and he leaned closer, his voice low and teasing. “I’ll take the blame for that.”

Isabella gave him a look but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips.

Tyler's cheeks flushed a deep red at Isabella and Adrian’s playful banter. Desperate to shift the conversation, he quickly jumped in. “Uh, Adrian was actually telling me he’s taking me hiking this weekend—on that trail up near the cliffs.”

Isabella’s eyes widened in concern. "Wait, the one by the cliffs? That's a pretty risky trail, Tyler."

Tyler waved off her worry with a light-hearted chuckle. “Don’t worry! Adrian’s going with me. I’m sure he’s hiked riskier trails a hundred times during his deployments, right?”

Adrian nodded, his arm slipping casually around Isabella’s waist. "She's got a point, you know. It can be a tough trail, but I’ve handled worse. I’ll keep him in check."

Tyler beamed at Adrian’s confidence, and Isabella felt a little of her anxiety ease. Knowing Adrian would be there watching over him made her relax. “Alright,” she said softly, “just... be careful, okay?”

Tyler grinned. “I promise.” he laughed and nudged Isabella playfully.

“But seriously, how’s school going for you, Tyler?” Isabella asked casually

His smile faltered for a moment, and she noticed a shadow of disappointment cross his face. “It’s okay, I guess,” he replied, shrugging.

“Just okay?” she probed gently, sensing there was more beneath the surface.

Tyler hesitated for a second before admitting, “I missed my chance to make it onto the football team this year. I thought I had a shot, but I injured my ankle during practice.”

“Oh no,” Isabella said, her heart sinking for him. “That really sucks. I know how much you wanted it.”

“Yeah,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, looking a bit embarrassed. “I was really excited, and then it all fell apart. It’s just… disappointing, you know?”

“I can only imagine. But you’ve been working so hard, Tyler. You’ll get another chance next year for sure,” she encouraged, hoping to lift his spirits.

“Thanks, Isabella,” he replied, a small smile returning to his face. “I’ll keep practicing, and next year, I’ll make the team. Just watch!”

“Of course you will! And when you do, I’ll bake you a giant cake to celebrate!” she declared with a grin.

“Now that’s a deal I can get behind,” Tyler said, his mood clearly brightening.

Adrian chuckled from beside her, “Just make sure to save me a slice, too, Isabella.”

As they shared a laugh, Isabella felt a warmth spread through her chest. It was heartening to see Tyler's spirits lift and to watch Adrian support him. Moments like this made her appreciate their life together even more.

As they walked out of the bakery, Adrian’s Jeep gleamed under the sunlight. Tyler practically skipped along, clearly buzzing with excitement about the weekend.

Adrian turned to Isabella, his eyes soft but teasing. “I’ll drop you off and then head out to get the stuff this kid needs for the hike. I’ll be home soon.”

Isabella couldn’t help but smile at Tyler’s excitement, though a small part of her still worried about the risk. But with Adrian watching over him, she knew she had little to fear. Tyler’s grin stretched ear to ear as he climbed into the Jeep, bouncing slightly in the seat.

Adrian opened the door for her, leaning in with that familiar mischievous glint in his eye. “You sure you don’t want to come along?” he teased, leaning closer for a kiss.

Isabella dodged his playful attempt, swatting his hand away and giving him a firm look. “Behave yourself,” she warned, though the corners of her lips were fighting not to curl up in amusement.

Adrian chuckled, undeterred. “Relax, he’s in good hands,” he replied with a wink, finally pulling away with a laugh as she rolled her eyes.

She climbed out of the car when they reached their street, waving at the two as they drove off. Adrian waved back, mouthing a playful “later,” and Tyler was practically vibrating with excitement, giving her a thumbs up from the passenger seat.

Isabella sighed with a soft smile, watching the Jeep disappear down the road. For a moment, she couldn’t help but feel a warm contentment settle over her. It was nice to see Adrian connecting with Tyler, even if he was a bit overprotective. She trusted him with everything, and she knew Tyler would be in good hands.

Now, she just hoped they’d come back in one piece.

Isabella headed inside the house, a sense of relief washing over her. At least they were getting along well. She couldn’t deny the small knot of unease that had settled in her chest after Adrian’s behavior yesterday. She’d never seen him act so possessive until then, and though she hated to admit it, the look in his eyes when he’d eyed Tyler had spooked her. There had been an intensity in his gaze that wasn’t typical of Adrian’s usually laid-back demeanor.

But today, seeing him engage with Tyler, laughing and even planning a hike together, put her at ease. Maybe Adrian had come to realize that the kid wasn’t so bad after all. His playful and sweet nature had certainly grown on her, and now she hoped the same had happened with Adrian. It was nice to imagine them bonding, especially since Tyler had become an unexpected but important part of her life while Adrian had been away.

As she moved about the house, tidying up a bit, she found herself smiling. She’d been worried for nothing, it seemed. Adrian was more protective than ever, but maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. She liked seeing this new side of him—intense, sure, but also affectionate in his own way.

Isabella rinsed the bloody dishcloth and put it in the wash before heading upstairs to their bedroom, craving a moment of relaxation. The chaos of the morning had left her feeling exhausted, and she couldn't shake the thought that Adrian's intensity was only adding to her fatigue.

Once in the bathroom, she prepared everything for a soothing soak. She filled the tub with warm water, letting it rise until it was just above her knees. The steam wafted around her, mingling with the soft melodies playing in the background, creating a serene atmosphere.

As she settled into the tub, the warmth enveloped her, soothing her tired muscles. She closed her eyes, allowing the stresses of the day to drift away. With each note of the music, she felt herself sinking deeper into relaxation, her head gradually falling back against the tub’s edge. Before she knew it, the gentle lapping of the water and the soft strains of the melody lulled her into a peaceful slumber.

In her dreams, she found herself floating in a blissful haze, free from the worries that had plagued her that morning, wrapped in the comforting embrace of warmth and tranquility.