Chapter 40: Isabelle: Meeting Mr. Alexander

Butterflies fill my stomach as I walk inside Grayson's house. It's not like I haven't met his father before, but this is different. I'm in his house.

"Dad, we're home," Grayson calls. He swings the door shut, and the sound of it closing makes me jump. "Relax." He gives my hand a gentle squeeze.

Grayson's dad appears from the hallway. "Hey, Grays," he says, and I can't help but smile at the nickname. He nods at me. "Isabelle."

"Hello, Mr. Alexander," I say.

"We're going to work on our Spanish project," Grayson says, tugging on my hand.

I follow him into the kitchen where there's a square, four-person table situated in front of a large window. Grayson flops his backpack on top of the table and walks to the fridge. "Want something to drink?"