Page 12 of High-Priority Asset

The warm embrace was nice. A comfort she wished she didn’t need.

“Yeah.” Isabel pulled back. “I’m fine.” Her face was still a little sore, but the slight bruise was easily concealed with makeup thanks to Dutch getting her an ice pack as soon as possible.

The whole incident had rattled her to the point that she’d imagined someone was watching her from the beach last night. That the crazy nameless one had been out there, hidden in the darkness, spying on her.

But she refused to close her windows and draw her blinds like she was living in a prison.

She had a waterfront condo in Malibu for goodness sakes. While she was in her home, she’d enjoy the temperate breezes and the relaxing sound of the waves rolling in.

The beach was private, and he stopped stalking her after the restraining order. The almost mugging yesterday had dredged old feelings to the surface, triggering delusions and nightmares. That’s all. Nothing more, she told herself.

She’d barely slept and had brought McQueen up on the bed with her, but she’d gone for a jog this morning on her sore foot, even though she didn’t have to.

No one was going to mess up her life and take away her sanity. She’d worked too hard to get to this mental place where she wasn’t a trembling wreck.

One setback wasn’t going to derail her.

“I’ll cancel my Thursday yoga classes.” Brenda sat down. “You’re not locking up alone again.”

“You’re not canceling anything.” She put her hand on her friend’s. “We stick to our routine.” The only way for things to feel normal was to pretend that they were until it became reality. “Nothing changes.”

Brenda shook her head, familiar pity filling her eyes that made Isabel cringe inside. “At least take your uncle up on his offer to hire a bodyguard for you.”

Her uncle Emilio would love nothing more than to hear that he was right and coddle her. “Absolutely not. I live in Malibu to get breathing room from him. It’s like he didn’t get the memo I’m a grown woman.” The last thing she’d do was bolster his overprotective instincts.

Someone pounded on the back door. Isabel’s hand flew to her chest as her gaze snapped to the rear of the gallery.

“It must be the delivery. The stuff we’re renting for the party.” Brenda stared at her.

Tomorrow night they were hosting their annual charity event at the gallery. Cocktails and canapés would be served as people mingled and purchased art. Fifty percent of the proceeds went to the local children’s hospital. There’d be a huge turnout. It was their biggest event of the year.

“I forgot,” Isabel said, her heart still racing.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Brenda stood and they walked toward the door in the back.

“Yes. Just a little jumpy.” Isabel fluffed out her long hair to hide how her hands were shaking. “One good thing came out of what happened yesterday.”

“The hunky hero who got your purse back?” Waggling her eyebrows, Brenda smiled.

Dutch had definitely been a welcome surprise, the best part of yesterday in fact. Isabel wondered if she’d see him again after rejecting not one but two offers to go out.

Brenda opened the door and waved the delivery guy in who was carrying a tray of glasses. “Put it upstairs on the table we have set out.”

The short guy nodded and walked past them.

“No, I’m not talking about the Good Samaritan,” Isabel said as they stepped outside. “I made a bucket list.”

“Really?” Brenda looked over the items they’d ordered in the van. “Let’s hear it.”

“Well, I only have five things on my list so far. I hope it doesn’t sound pathetic. I want to fall in love. Get married. Have kids. Learn to surf. Have earth-shattering sex,” she said, and Brenda chuckled. “And I want to see the northern lights, something magical and wondrous.”

“That’s six things.” Brenda stepped away from the van and turned toward Isabel. Her eyes went wide as her mouth dropped open.

“Doesn’t sound pathetic at all,” a deep male voice said, and Isabel spun around to face Dutch. “I can help with at least two of those things on your list.”

Isabel gulped, her heart fluttering and thighs tingling at the gorgeous sight of him.

Oh, goodness. How much of her list had he heard?