Page 22 of Finding Fate

Annie went over and gave her sister a hug. “Look, I’m sorry if it’s bothering you, but I can’t just suddenly change my impression of him. But I’ll try to dial it back.”

Isabel smiled, accepting the apology. “Thanks, but seriously now, do you mind if I go? I was hoping to head over to Tucker’s soon.”

“He’s feeling better then?”

“He must be if Jenna let him ask me over.”

“Well, go then. I’ll finish cleaning up. Tell him I said hi, and call me as soon as you’re done. I’ll probably be out for a run,” Annie said excitedly, practically pushing her sister out the kitchen door. “Tyler, you’re supposed to be doing the trash!”

“What in the world is with her?” Isabel wondered as she left.

* * *

Dressed in a white muscle shirt and his Spurs logo basketball shorts, Tucker lay back against the massive beanbag chair in the corner of his bedroom, his hair slightly damp from a recent shower. He turned on the CD player on the shelf next to him to listen to a Top 40 station. His fingers tapped restlessly against his torso, strumming along the definition lines of his abs.

He had been dying to talk to Izzy for days, but his mother had put her foot down for nearly a week, refusing the chance of him spreading the God awful stomach flu he’d come down with. They had still argued over it this morning until he pointed out that he’d been fever-free for a full day now. Yeah, he was still weak, but that didn’t matter. This thing with Izzy had been put off long enough.

He’d been texting Annie and Jet about it and knew that she and Wesley weren’t official yet, but he’d lost some serious time. “Arrrg! If Wesley wasn’t in the picture, this would be so much easier,” he stressed, tugging at his hair as he waited.

He heard a faint knock at his door a few minutes later. “Come in,” he answered, turning down the music as Izzy stepped in.

“Hey, Tucker. Wow, you look so much better.”

“You sure? ‘Cause I kinda thought the whole palest human who’s not albino thing was working for me, really brought out my eyes. Didn’t you think?” he teased.

Izzy pursed one corner of her mouth and raised a doubtful eyebrow.

“You can’t hog the market on paleness, Izzy. I wanna look hot, too.”

“Shut up, Tucker,” she replied, blushing as she crossed the room. He grinned, watching her trying and failing to look offended.

She sank down next to him, the beanbag large enough for them both, and spread her dress to her calves as she curled up to face him. Tucker breathed in heavily as her hair brushed against him, thankful that he was able to smell the soft scent of honeysuckle without feeling queasy.

“Annie says hi, by the way.”

“Tell her hi back for me?”

“Sure.”

They laid there for a while, listening to the radio before either of them spoke again. Neither minded the quiet, and Tucker was enjoying the comfort of being around her, aside from the butterflies he knew were just nerves this time. He waited for her to break the silence, not wanting to interrupt her thoughts as he continued to mull over ways to tell her his news.

“Annie wants to throw a party this weekend,” she finally said.

“Huh,” he laughed, “What did your mom say?”

“Oh, she won’t be home. She and Tyler are going to Granny Pope’s this weekend to help with a yard sale.”

“Sounds fun.”

“The yard sale?”

“No, a party. Jeez, Izzy. Did Annie get all the brains?”

“Ha. Ha.” She rolled her eyes. “Very funny.”

“I tried.”

“Not so successful that time.”

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