The Impossibility of Reason (February 1987)

Isabella looked at Tony as he talked about the kiss on the plane they had shared. The fact that he was trying to smooth things over made her like him even more and it spoke volumes about how he felt about her.

“Tony, I know I was drunk but I don’t regret that kiss, nor do I want to forget it. I enjoyed it. It was a great kiss.”

Tony just looked at her for a moment and smiled. The memory of her lips brought warmth to him and he held himself back though he wasn't exactly certain why. Why was he holding himself back, because he respected her? Why would that change anything? 'You never slept with Pepper' He thought and he did respect her. He supposed if she had flaunted herself at him, threw herself into his bed he would sleep with Pepper. He was a man with a very active libido and sexual appetites that would make a porn star blush. He had in fact but that was years ago.

“So, you settling in ok? I know you’re back at your apartment, have you spoken to Frank at all?” he asked. “I was also wondering if you have a nice evening gown. There are a few ‘things’ that I’m likely going to be asked to attend,” he began then shrugged. “I might go if I feel like going, can’t say right now though but if I did go I’d rather have a date along,” he said though he wasn’t more specific then that. Hr tried to remain casual about that to. This whole business of wanting to be more and yet staying at a distance from Isabella was going to be exhausting. But he would do it if it meant that she remained in his life. He once read that Hell was the Impossibility of Reason. Not being able to have what he wanted right then was how he imagined Hell being. You can look but can't touch. You can touch but can not take and you can take but not possess. Sleeping with Isabella would likely bring about the end of their relationship if he didn't elevate it and Tony never did.

Isabella shook her head when Tony asked about Frank. “No, I haven’t spoken to him. To be honest I’m not entirely sure what I would say. I came home to a broken phone which was a result of our last conversation. I do think I’m going to move though. Being in that apartment has too many memories of my time with him. I’m just not sure I can happily live there now.”

Isabella looked at Tony when he questioned her about having a nice dress. “I do have nice dresses. Are you asking me to possibly attend some of these events with you?”

Tony looked away and became evasive. “Well, I mean, if you’re free,” he said as if it wasn’t anything important. It would be clear to Isabella that Tony was hiding something. Whatever he was going to do was not so small as he’d like everyone to think. And he would not tell her what it was. He wouldn’t tell anyone except maybe James, his closest friend?” she couldn’t be certain about that either. He handed her a key card. It was flat black with a violet bar that ran across the top edge. “This will get you into my home at any time. I have an AI system, its name is Jarvis. Just call out his name and he can get you to where you want to be,” he said as he began to beck away from her. He smiled, turned and started away from her toward the exit. “Well, think about it, I can always send a car on short notice,” he said and the door closed behind him.