Grace Under Fire (Buchanan-Renard 14)

She went downstairs, knocked on the library door, and went in. Dylan was already there, sitting in a leather chair, talking to his father. Isabel told them about the rehearsal but didn’t go into much detail until she got to the harrowing walk back to the car.

“There was this crowd... they acted crazy, screaming at me and pushing. I kept my head down, but I did see some of them. They weren’t just teenage girls. There were also a lot of grown men and women. I can’t imagine what it will be like tomorrow. There will be security, but it was suggested by Jax, the driver, that I bring someone with me. Xavier’s guards are armed,” she added. “And I’m sure he’ll see to my protection...”

“You’ll have guards with you,” Dylan said.

The judge nodded agreement. “We have enough men in this family who can go with you.”

“As long as it’s not...” She stopped in time before she said Michael’s name.

“As long as it’s not what?” the judge asked.

“Too much of an inconvenience. Dylan, you’re good at pushing back when someone pushes you, and I know Noah would do it.”

“I’m good at pushing?” He laughed.

A commotion in the kitchen interrupted them.

“I guess everyone’s back,” Dylan said. “We’ll figure out the details and go over it with you later. Don’t worry about anything.”

“That’s exactly what Xavier said to me. Telling me won’t change anything. I’m still going to worry.”

She thought she sounded belligerent and apologized. Voices were getting closer, and she knew what was coming. Kate and the others would want to hear all about Xavier.

Dylan followed her into the kitchen. “I smell pizza.”

“You’re a Buchanan,” Kate commented. “It’s your superpower.”

She and Laurant placed five giant pizzas on the island. Dylan didn’t wait for an invitation. He opened a box and reached for a huge slice with pepperoni.

“We want to hear every word, Isabel,” Laurant insisted. She pulled out a chair at the table and told her to sit. “Start at the beginning and don’t leave anything out. I am so excited to hear what XO... I mean Xavier... is like.”

“Hold on. I want to ask Isabel a question first. How many tickets can you get?” Kate wanted to know. “I thought it would be nice to invite Michael’s girlfriend, Amanda, and a couple of Jordan’s friends.”

Dylan’s eyes immediately darted to Isabel. “Absolutely not,” he said. “Do not invite Amanda... or anyone else.”

Kate looked surprised. “Why not?”

“It’s taking advantage of Xavier to ask for more tickets,” Laurant guessed.

Regan nodded. “It would be rude, Kate. Besides, I don’t think she is his girlfriend. He never talks about her.”

Kate walked over to Dylan with a puzzled look on her face and he pulled her into his arms. “Sometimes, honey, you’re just oblivious,” he whispered. And then he kissed her so she wouldn’t ask any more questions.

Isabel was mortified. Dylan’s reaction to the mention of Amanda was to immediately look at her. It was obvious he somehow knew she had feelings for Michael. Great. Like Noah and Nick and Alec, all FBI agents, Dylan didn’t miss a trick. He noticed every little thing, so she figured the other men must know, too. She felt like such a fool. Running away to avoid Michael wasn’t the answer. She needed to get over him.

Regan noticed she was staring off into space. “Isabel? What are you doing?”

Smiling, she looked up and said, “Writing a song about Scotland... and escape.”

The women didn’t let her mull over her problems long. They bombarded her with questions about XO. Michael walked in the door just in time to hear Isabel tell everyone how nice Xavier was to her.

“He’s very handsome,” she said. “But not vain. He’s considerate, too,” she added.

Michael took a bottle of beer from the refrigerator. He leaned against the counter and listened while the women grilled Isabel.

“Did he like you?” Laurant wanted to know. “I mean, did he like your voice?”

“Yes,” she said. “Once my nerves cooperated, my voice got stronger.” She added with a shrug, “I guess he thought it was okay.”