Unprofessional (Under editing)

Chapter 26: After Last Night

I'm leaning against the doorway of Isaac's gym, watching Lovey and Isaac train. My arms crossed and brows furrowed. We've only been here two days, and Isaac has already turned my daughter into a fitness junkie. Just yesterday, she asked me to buy her protein powder. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned.

"Great job!" Isaac crouches down to high-five Lovey, his grin wide and proud.

I don't know if I should be happy or nauseous.

"Are you guys done now?" I ask, stepping further into the room.

Isaac turns toward me with a smirk. "Why? Did you miss me so much you couldn't wait to get my attention?"

"More like the opposite," I reply flatly. "I see you so much. I think I'm starting to hate you."

"Mommy, you're so mean!" Lovey huffs, planting her hands on her hips.

"I'm just a realist," I say, shifting my weight onto one leg.

"What's a realist?" Lovey asks, sweetly tilting her head to the side in question.

"Don't worry about it," I reply dismissively with a small smile.

"K." Lovey chirped, skipping off, unbothered.

Isaac raises a brow. "I thought she'd be more persistent."

"Me too." I said, turning to go and find her. But I was surprised when I glanced back at Isaac, who stepped closer, his hands finding my waist.

Isaac held me close, his hands resting firmly. My gaze dropped to where his fingers met the fabric of my shirt, and my breath caught in my throat. Was it strange that I suddenly felt so awkward?

It had been so long since someone held me like this, and now I was hyper-aware of everything. Where do I put my arms? Should I leave them crossed, like some kind of defensive shield? Should I drape them over his shoulders? No, that would look like we were slow dancing in a high school gym.

Ugh, someone kill me now.

I hated how stiff I felt, like I was going to ruin this moment with my overthinking. What if he noticed? What if he thought I was weird—or worse, regretted whatever this was?

"Relax," Isaac said softly, his lips curling into that sly smirk that made my heart stumble.

"I am relaxed," I lied, straightening up in an attempt to look composed.

His chuckle was low, the sound vibrating between us. "Sure you are. You're overthinking again, aren't you?"

"No," I said too quickly, my voice a pitch higher than usual.

His chuckle was low, rumbling between us, and the warmth of it sent a shiver up my spine. "You don't have to prove anything, you know. Just... stay here."

Stay here.

Something in his tone, in the way he said it, tugged at me. My arms hovered awkwardly for a moment longer before I let them drop to my sides, the tension in my shoulders easing just a bit. I wanted to believe him—to believe that I didn't have to do or say anything to earn this moment.

Still, my doubts lingered. What if I leaned in too much? What if I held on and he pulled away? But then, as if sensing my hesitation, Isaac's grip tightened ever so slightly.

My chest ached, and I let out a breath. Slowly, hesitantly, I let my fingers graze his arms, anchoring myself to him. It wasn't perfect, and I still felt unsure, but I stayed. For once, I let the world around us blur. The only thing I focused on being the quiet, steady rhythm of his breathing and the way we fit together in the simplest, most unexpected way.