Isobel's back stiffened first when she heard the sound of steps but had figured that she could just ignore whoever it was and they would leave. Isobel was exceptionally good at ignoring people. She'd mastered the cold shoulder a long time ago and was fantastic at freezing people out. Her intention was to not at all allow herself to get close to the people here because this was temporary. She wet her lower lip and flexed her fingers around her upper arm as she waited for the person to leave but then he spoke.
He spoke and he said her name. He said her name in Max's voice. She'd know that voice anywhere. The fact that it wasn't accompanied by the warmth of his presence in her mind caused her to feel cold all over again and she hunched her shoulders, not wanting to believe it because he was gone. There was an increasing chance that this was all in Isobel's head, too.
She took a breath, waited for a second before she turned around on the spot and saw- "Max."
Her eyes were watery and she quickly dashed her thumb underneath each eye but it did little to hide the grief that was on her face or the way her expression crumpled a little when she saw him.
She took half a step forwards and then stopped herself. What if it wasn't him?