Finding Amity

Chapter 46

Cooper glared at Isaac from across the table, making Pippa giggle uncontrollably. The last time they were within 5 feet of each other, they were puffing up their chests and readying for a fight.

I reached under the table and grabbed Isaac's hand, hoping it would calm him down. Based on his leg that continued to bounce rapidly under the table, it didn't work.

"Do you like it?" Carrie asked Pippa and Isaac, pointing to the minestrone.

"Yes, it's amazing!" Pippa complimented, before taking in another huge spoonful.

"Really good." Isaac nodded, his eyes not leaving Cooper's.

Carrie, spotting this, asked Cooper to come help with the dishes in the kitchen. With one last evil eye, Cooper stood up and followed after her. I pulled my hand away from Isaac's.

"So... you live with your godmother?" Pippa started.

I nodded. "Yeah, um, my parents... passed away a couple of years ago and I've been living with Cooper and Carrie ever since."

"I'm sorry." She consoled. I waved it off, it was too long ago to need anyone's sympathy. "So did you move in before or after you two-"

"After!" I snapped, seeing where she was going. I did not want to have that conversation in front of Isaac.

He turned to me, about to ask for an explanation, but I spoke before he got the chance to.

"Where are you guys staying tonight?" I asked.

"Hotel." Isaac nodded. "We booked a hotel room." He looked down as he spoke.

"No, we didn't." Pippa growled. "We were planning on sleeping in my car." She explained.

"What?!" I shrieked. Isaac mouthed something to Pippa I couldn't figure out. "No, you can stay here."

"Really, it's no big deal." Isaac reasoned. "Her car seats are comfortable, maybe even more comfortable than a shabby hotel bed."

"No!" I decided. "We have a guest house out the back. There are two bedrooms, you will stay there."

"Thats not necessary-" Isaac started again.

"Don't be stupid." I argued.

"Its fine, I want to sleep in the car!" Isaac shot back.

"I have the keys!" Pippa squealed. "I make the decisions. We will stay in the guest house."

Isaac groaned, and didn't stop groaning as I grabbed the keys, Pippa changed into a pair of my pyjamas, and I walked both of them out to the guest house. It was mostly used by Carrie's sisters, but they barely visit anymore.

The space is crowded, a kitchenette in one corner, a small couch with a tv in another, and a short hallway that led to the bedrooms and a bathroom.

"The bathroom tap leaks a bit, and the fridge is completely empty, but other than that..."

"Whoa!" Pippa gasped as she stepped in. "Do all rich people have a house, and then another mini house for guests? Do you get a lot of guests?"

"Um, no we don't really have guest a lot, I think guest houses are just common in Avondale." Growing up, everyone I knew had guest houses or granny flats or beach houses or even apartments in big cities. I guess we were richer than I thought.

Pippa walked herself into a bedroom and I heard her plop down on the bed. "This is awesome!" She shouted. "I feel like I'm on holiday."

Isaac stood awkwardly in the entrance, looking around dismissively.

"You aren't going to check out your room?"

"I don't need pity." He muttered, throwing me off guard.

"Pity?" I asked. "Its not pity, it's human decency. You need somewhere to stay. I have a room."

"I don't like the idea staying in your home without paying or anything, and I don't have money."

"Well, how about this," I started. "If you sleep in Pippa's car, I am going to have a terrible night because I won't be able to fall asleep while I'm worrying about you out there."

"I was going to lock the doors."

"My paranoia doesn't give a shit." I shut him down.

He looked at me, amusement in my eyes. "I've missed you." He said.

"Its been three days." I noted. He shrugged, a smile across his face. "I missed you, too."

He placed a hand gently on my waist, his eyes drifted from mine down to my lips before returning. "I should probably... its late. I should go to bed."

I knew exactly what happened last time, and I didn't necessarily want to do that with Pippa in the next room, able to walk out at any moment.

"Oh," He mumbled, taking his hand from my waist. "Goodnight."

I nodded, slowly backing out the door. "Goodnight."