Isn't working with Laken what you love?his animal said slyly.
Not listening.
He cast a quick glance at Laken and, for a second, was entranced by the way the light coming through the cabin window caught the silver strands in his dark hair, making it glint like polished metal. Then those intelligent, turbulent gray eyes glanced up from whatever he was reading and held Isley captive, like a churning sea tossing him around.
“Do you think we will have to go into the office today?”
Monty’s question brought Isley out of his stare off and he blushed self-consciously. His lips puffed out at the air forcibly leaving his mouth, earning him a questioning look from Ziggy.
“’Cause we did all those extra hours, Booker said we get the afternoon free. I’m ready for some Emmy cuddles,”Frey answered excitedly.
“Do you think she missed you?” Bowie questioned solemnly.
Frey shook his blond head. “She’s had the best time with Lane and Derick. I can tell with all the giggling in the mini videos Lane sent me.”
Out came the phone, and they all gathered eagerly to watch the small screen as Frey hit play to reveal his daughter, Emmy, who he had recently adopted with Booker, his mate. It was a messy situation that was made better by Frey wanting to take the little girl and care for her after the traumatic situation around her birth.
No one had suspected a visit to a factory in Drinkwater would have such an impact on everyone in Starling Enterprise. The factory had been purchased by the brothers, only no one had known the extent of the awfulness the divergent omegas were living in. Imprisoned and worked as slaves, abused by the alphas, one had gotten pregnant and…
Isley couldn’t think about how that beautiful little girl could have died and them all missing out on getting to spend time with her. Lane and his organized skills had sorted a rota, with their approval. They all got an hour a day through the working week to allow Frey to continue what he loved to do, and have his baby close by. Isley had missed her too and had an idea on how to spend his free afternoon.
“With the afternoon off, what are weallgoing to do?” He didn’t want to push Frey because he had to have missed Emmy the most.
“Go see Emmy?” Lennon murmured.
“What do you think, Monty?”
Bowie turned to Isley at the question, frowning, and Isley gave him a soft smile, seeing they’d lost him in his own little world, which wasn’t unusual for Bowie. He was such a sweetheart. The man didn’t have a nasty bone in his body.
“Catch me up, I was thinking about what I could do with my free time.” Monty fidgeted, sounding like that was the last thing he was thinking about.
Isley frowned at Monty. “That’s what we were talking about. Do you want to go to Frey’s to see Emmy? Maybe head to the park and try out the place Frey raves about that makes brownies?”
Monty nodded enthusiastically.
“As long as I get to taste the brownie you raved about last time!” Ziggy stated dramatically, making them all laugh. “Then I’m in.”
Frey grinned sassily. “Good, because then we can talk about your… engagement!” Frey glanced in Monty’s direction. “And we can talk about you and—”
“Frey!” Monty hissed, giving Frey a warning look.
What was that about?They’d all been fascinated by Monty’s attraction to Kendrick the night they went to Ranch-Down, the bar in Bayfield, the closest town to Darling ranch. Had Monty shared something with Frey?
Isley spent the rest of the flight watching Monty. It was much better than the alternative, as Monty worked not to look at Rue. It would be funny if he wasn’t doing the same thing.
Off the plane, Isley waited on his luggage, listening to the conversations going on around him as he considered who to ask for a lift. He’d gotten his brother Somme to drop him off as his own car was out of action. On a Friday afternoon, Somme would be working so wouldn’t be able to come. Isley would just have to take a cab.
“What do you say?” Lennon nudging Bowie caught Isley’s attention.
“If you could drop me off, I’ll get my car. It’ll save you from making a double trip to mine when you live on the other side of town.”
“Can I catch a lift, too?” Isley interjected, giving Lennon a hopeful smile. “My car’s in the auto shop for repair.”
“Of course.” Lennon cast his gaze to where Kodi and Kari stood, having a conversation in hushed tones. “The more, the merrier.”
Hours later, after a fun afternoon with Emmy and everyone else, Isley opened his front door. Finally alone, he sagged with exhaustion, ignoring the suitcase he had to unpack. Walking through his apartment, he shrugged off his jacket and threw it on the couch on his way past. Not feeling hungry after all the chocolate brownies he’d eaten, he went to grab a glass of wine. Frey wasn’t wrong, the brownies were delicious. The best he’d eaten, hence why he had gorged and eaten two large pieces. He might be feeling a little sick, but it was worth it.
Wine in hand, he connected his phone to the speakers and went to sit in his favorite seat. A week away and he was ready to enjoy some home comforts. He groaned in delight as he sat down and took a sip of the chilled, sweet wine. A melodic tune played in the background and Isley stared out the window, his thoughts returning to the earlier conversation in the car with Lennon and Bowie.