"I'm glad I did too," he replied honestly as he placed her back on the ground.
Her violet eyes twinkled in the sunlight shining on her as she grinned up at him. The golden highlights in her deep brown hair were more vibrant and blonder than the last time he'd seen her. She was tanner too, and freckles now dotted the bridge of her slender nose.
"Did you have a good flight?" she asked.
"A few of them." He wasn't about to tell her he'd been tempted to eat the tourists more than a few times during the trip. He loved Issy, she was his best friend and the sibling he was closest to, but there were things he didn't share, not even with her.
She laughed as she took a step back from him. Her eyes focused on his right arm and she slapped her hand against the tattoo there. "What is this?"
"That, dear sis, is what most refer to as a tattoo," he teased.
She rolled her eyes at him. "I know that, but when did you get it?"
"Three months ago."
"Why? You've never shown an interest in tattoos before."
Ethan glanced at the intricate black flames curling up from his wrist to the middle of his bicep. A black phoenix, on his upper bicep, rose from the top of the flames with its wings spread wide. He wasn't about to tell her the real reason he'd gotten the tattoo, so he just shrugged and retrieved his bag. "Boredom," he answered absently.
"Boredom?" she inquired in a disbelieving tone.
"What can I say? I've had no one to entertain me since you left home."
His words had the effect he'd been hoping for as she laughed and slipped her arm through his. "I'm sure you've had plenty of people keeping you entertained with the mob living there."
"Yes, but no one quite as fun as you."
"I do have to agree with that," she said and flashed a smile. "You should see the house Stefan rented for us, it's beautiful!"
His gaze traveled past her to the large and powerful vampire standing beyond her shoulder. Stefan's onyx eyes focused on Isabelle before he turned to look at Ethan. His black hair curled around his face, easing the austerity of his high cheekbones and the narrow bridge of his nose. Ethan was never quite sure what to make of the guy; he'd always been a bit arrogant, and more than a little overprotective when it came to Isabelle. But he made Isabelle happy, and in the end, that was the most important thing.
"Stefan," he greeted.
"Ethan." Stefan smiled at him as he extended his hand. "It's good to see you."
"You also." Ethan realized those words were true as they shook hands. Stefan had become easier going and more approachable after he completed his bond with Isabelle, but Ethan had never really considered him a friend. He was family though.
"Is this all you have for luggage?" Isabelle inquired.
Ethan turned his attention back to his sister. "I travel light."
"Apparently. Too bad mom and dad couldn't come with you." He was used to her abrupt changes in conversation, so he wasn't thrown off by it now.
"They have enough going on with that devious horde their raising."
Isabelle laughed as she tugged him into the crowd. "I can't wait to see them again. I've missed them and everyone else so much."
"They've missed you too," he told her as Stefan parted the crowd before them. "I know they're looking forward to you returning home next month."
"Me too, but we've had an amazing trip. I loved Rome; I think it was my favorite. You have to see it one day. Maybe the next time we go, you can come with us. Australia too, you would love it there. Aiden would probably get himself killed swimming with the sharks, but I'm pretty sure that's where he belongs."
"You think he belongs in Australia or inside a shark?" Ethan was unable to keep the humor from his voice as he asked the question.
"Australia," she said with a laugh. "But there were a few times I would have liked to feed him to a shark."
"Me too," Ethan agreed.
Ethan couldn't help but smile as she started to ramble on again about all the places she and Stefan had visited over the last six months. It amazed him how much she’d changed from the girl who once never left home because she was determined not to find her mate. That girl had been content with her life, but the woman on his arm radiated joy and seemed to glow as she bounced along beside him.
Stefan stopped beside a blue Jeep and opened the passenger side door. Isabelle released his arm, kissed Stefan on the cheek, and jumped into the passenger seat. Stefan smiled at her as he closed her door and walked around to open the hatch door. They stepped aside as the door swung out toward them.
"She's missed you guys," Stefan told him as Ethan placed his bag inside.
"We've missed her too," Ethan said as he closed the door. "She seems happy though."
"She is, but she became a lot happier after you agreed to join us here. She can't wait for Ian and Aiden to arrive in two weeks."
"You're in for some trouble then," Ethan told him with a grin.
"Looking forward to it."
Ethan realized Stefan seemed to mean that. He'd never been entirely sure what Stefan thought about all of them. It was obvious how he felt about Isabelle, but he'd always thought Stefan found them to be the annoying family unit he would have to put up with to be with Issy. He was beginning to think maybe he'd misjudged him.
Ethan walked around the side of the SUV and opened the back door. Isabelle turned in the front seat, propped her hands on the shoulder of the chair, and continued talking about their travels without missing a beat. Stefan pulled onto the road and drove cautiously down the clustered streets winding through
