The rest of the brunch was the same, with Pat throwing in jab after jab about how marriage shouldn’t be taken lightly. She’d already mentioned the importance of knowing someone well enough to see the signs of future issues. That one was aimed at Isabel, of course.

Isabel was feeling lightheaded and much braver. Her resolve and decision to just ignore her sister and keep changing the subject was beginning to wane. It was when Pat brought up trust again that Isabel couldn’t take it anymore. “Because you know without a doubt that you can trust Charles. Right?”

Pat’s brows pinched and Charles stared at her. “Of course. We’ve been married all these years and I’ve never had reason not to.”

Isabel stood up without responding, excusing herself to the ladies’ room. She noticed Charles kept his eyes on her. Not wanting to be overheard she texted Romero.

I don’t know how much longer I can keep quiet about Charles. Pat is so infuriating! She needs to be told how NOT perfect her marriage is.

It took a few seconds but Romero responded.

She’ll know soon enough. You don’t have to tell me what a pain she is. Just be cool for now.

When Isabel got back to her seat, her champagne glass had already been filled, as if she needed any more. Her parents and Pat were gone. She could see them over at the buffet table again. Art was busy smooching Sabrina and Charles sat back in his seat. Isabel couldn’t help glare at him.

“Something on your mind, Isabel?”

She sat down taking a sip of her champagne again. “No. Just wish Romero was here.”

He sat up a little. “You know your family is only looking out for you. They don’t trust that—”

“Really is he the one that can’t be trusted, Charles?”

Charles’ brows flew up. Isabel turned away from him when she noticed Art and Sabrina stood up. Art chuckled. “How many of those have you had, Bell?”

She looked down to where he was pointing at the champagne glass in her hand. Too many but she wouldn’t admit that out loud. “Are you leaving?”

Just then, Pat and her parents returned to the table, plates in hand. Art explained to them that they had a long drive and were still planning on meeting with Sabrina’s family to give them the news.

Once they were gone, Isabel knew Pat would now openly unleash her self-righteous opinions about them. Even though it was rude to text at the table, Charles had done it the entire time so she pulled her phone out and texted Romero again.

I can’t take this anymore. But I don’t think I’m okay to drive. I had to numb myself with champagne to get through this. You think you can pick me up?

She sipped her water, trying to ignore Pat who was already going off on a tangent when she noticed Charles staring at her. Her phone buzzed and she read the text.

On my way.

Isabel endured, listening to her sister go on and on about what a huge mistake Art had made. Her mother didn’t seem to think so, but was a little hurt that they’d gone off and gotten married without having at least the immediate family there. Her father didn’t say much as usual except that he agreed with Pat that it would be a lot harder for Sabrina to finish school now. Charles was surprisingly quiet throughout the conversation. He could be just as opinionated as Pat when he wanted to be.

From experience, Isabel knew there was no arguing with her sister so she didn’t bother. The waiter had already brought the bill and Pat insisted on paying since she’d picked the restaurant and as usual it was a pricey one on the marina. Of course, she had to throw in a few jabs about not expecting Isabel to pay on her teacher’s salary.

Romero’s text letting her know he was there hadn’t come fast enough. They were all getting ready to leave as well but Isabel didn’t wait to walk out with them. If she had to listen to Pat for even another minute, she was going to scream.

She made one last stop at the ladies’ room before heading out the front door. The cool ocean breeze felt good against her face. Romero leaned against the side of his car and she smiled at him.

“Isabel.”

She turned to see Charles walking toward her. “Is there something you wanna say to me?”

A sudden wave of anger washed over her. There was plenty she wanted to say to him, but she’d wait until Romero gave her the go ahead. “Nope.”

She didn’t like the way he walked up to her and stood menacingly close. “You made a couple of odd comments in there. I couldn’t help but feel they were directed towards me.”

She took a step back. “Wow, what a genius. Was that because I was looking right at you when I said them?”

He took a step forward. “So out with it then. Say what you wanna say.”

“I’m sure you know perfectly well what it is.” She began to turn and walk away.

Charles grabbed her arm before she could turn with an expression she’d never seen on him before. “What do you think you know?”

“Big mistake, ass**le!”

Both Isabel and Charles turned to see Romero rushing toward them, that unmistakable rage in his eyes again.

CHAPTER 27

Careful what you ask for

Charles let go of Isabel’s arm as soon as he saw Romero. Romero charged at him, but Isabel jumped in front of him. “That’s right and don’t you ever put your f**king hands on her again.”

“Don’t please,” Isabel pleaded, her hands on Romero’s chest.

Romero had managed to stay calm as he’d walked toward them when he saw Charles’s body language. He could tell even from where he’d stood Charles was pissed, but seeing him put his hands on him had done it. Only thing keeping him from slamming his fist into Charles’s smug face was Isabel’s touch.