Echos of the past

chapter27

As Isla stepped into the quaint book store, the familiar scent of aged paper and ink enveloped her in a comforting embrace. She wandered through the aisles, her fingers trailing over the spines of books, searching for something to distract her mind from the complexities of her heart. Lost in thought, she didn't notice Teddy until he appeared beside her, browsing through a stack of novels.

"Hey, Isla," Teddy greeted warmly, his voice breaking through her reverie. It had a warmth that wasn't there the last time she saw him, when hurtful words had shattered their connection.

Startled, Isla turned to face him, her heart quickening at the sight of him so unexpectedly. "Hi, Teddy," she managed, her voice soft but steady.

Teddy smiled gently, his eyes meeting hers with a hint of hesitation. "Isla, I've been thinking about you," he confessed earnestly, his tone sincere.

Isla's pulse quickened at his words, her mind racing with questions and emotions she had tried to bury. "Teddy," she began, her voice wavering slightly,

Teddy's expression softened, his gaze searching hers. "Isla, I... I care about you deeply," he admitted quietly, his sincerity evident in his eyes. "Maybe I haven't been clear about that before, but I do. To be honest, I am jealous of Clark as I would be jealous of any other guy who got to love you. I want to be with you."

Isla's heart swelled with conflicting emotions—hope mingled with doubt, longing tempered by caution. She had yearned to hear those words from Teddy, yet uncertainty gnawed at her. "Why now, Teddy?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "Why tell me this now?"

Teddy sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Isla, I've been trying to sort things out," he explained earnestly. "Seeing you again, being apart... it made me realize how much you mean to me. Seeing you with Clark is destroying me."

Isla studied Teddy's face, searching for truth and sincerity in his eyes. "And Emily?" she asked quietly, unable to ignore the lingering doubts that plagued her.

Teddy shook his head gently, his gaze never leaving hers. "Emily and I were never serious," he admitted honestly. "She's a friend, but nothing more. I have told you this before."

A tumult of emotions surged within Isla—relief, confusion, and a flicker of hope. "I want to believe you, Teddy," she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Teddy reached out tentatively, his hand brushing against hers. "Isla, please..." he implored, his eyes pleading with her to understand. "Give us a chance. I know I've made mistakes, but I want to make things right."

Isla hesitated, torn between the longing to trust Teddy again and the fear of being hurt once more. "I don't know, Teddy," she admitted honestly, her voice trembling slightly. "It's not just about us... it's about everything. This isn't fair to Clark. He is kind and he cares about me. I am with him. You can't step in and claim you want me when I am with someone else. When I wasn't with anyone... You didn't want me. You only want me because you can't have me."

Teddy nodded understandingly, his expression filled with regret. "I know," he murmured, his voice tinged with remorse. "But I see how you look at me and I have see how he looks at you. When you look at me, I know your heart skips a beat. Your cheeks flush. When you are with him... It doesn't look like a couple. It looks like friends or business partners. You deserve to feel loved. To be loved. I need to be the one to love you. Clark is only with you to fufil some deal with his granparents."

Silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Isla glanced away briefly, gathering her thoughts before meeting Teddy's gaze again. "Teddy," she began slowly, her voice steadier now, "what makes you think that?"

Teddy looked surprised by the question, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Isla, I... I heard some things," he admitted reluctantly, his tone hesitant. "People talk, you know? But I never meant to hurt you..."

Isla sighed softly, feeling a mix of frustration and curiosity. "Teddy, Henry and the Jensens care about me," she explained earnestly. "But they wouldn't manipulate something like that. Clark and I... it's just something that happened. Sometimes when people are meant to be the world draw them together."

Teddy nodded slowly, processing her words. "I'm sorry, Isla," he murmured sincerely, his voice tinged with regret. "I didn't want to hurt you. I know Henry doesn't like me. I have heard rumors about the Jensens and planning to give the orchard to Clark. Their stipulation is that they have a say in who he marries. They like you and they like Henry. This is why they got Clark to date you. They made sure you guys would meet. Nothing about it happened organically."

Isla managed a small smile, her heart heavy yet somehow lighter with their conversation. "It's okay, Teddy," she reassured him gently. "I appreciate you telling me. I will find out for myself."

They stood together in the quiet corner of the book store, surrounded by a world of books as they navigated the complexities of their emotions. For Isla, the path ahead remained uncertain, but she knew one thing for certain—she needed time to sort through her feelings and decide what was best for her heart. She needed to figure out if there was any truth to what Teddy had to say. Was he saying this to win her back, or did he truly believe it?

"Take care, Teddy," Isla said softly, breaking the silence between them. "I need some time to figure things out."

Teddy nodded solemnly, a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "I understand," he replied quietly. "I really like you Isla."

With a final nod and a lingering glance, Isla turned away, her steps carrying her toward the exit of the book store. As she stepped into the crisp spring air outside, she felt a mix of relief and uncertainty wash over her. Yet amidst the turmoil, a sense of clarity began to emerge—she needed to trust her instincts and take the time to understand her own heart before she could truly move forward. Could what they have to say be true? Did Clark like her or was it just a set up?