Page 28 of Loving the Sinner
Izzy and Luke approach an hour later, looking forlorn and I can tell Izzy’s been crying.
“My curfew is earlier tonight, so it’s time for us to head out.” Luke says quietly while rubbing Izzy’s back soothingly.
I nod and we make our way to the car.
Izzy is quiet when we get to the apartment, giving me the excuse that she’s just tired, but I can see how sad she is. She doesn’t even gush to me about her new necklace promise ring. We barely talk as we get ready for bed, and when I come out of the shower, she’s already asleep on the pull out couch.
I head to my room, and see there’s a new text when I pick up my phone to plug it in.
Matt:Hey gorgeous, it’s Matt. just wanted to make sure Saturday is still good for you? :)
Elli:Hi Matt! That sounds great :)
Matt:Yes! :D I’ll come get you at 6? Dress code is cocktail. <3
Elli:Perfect. :) I’ll see you then.
Matt:I’ll be counting down the minutes ;)
I wait for the flutters to come at Matt’s blatant flirting, but nothing comes.
I go to turn off the lamp on my nightstand, and see Izzy standing in my doorway, tears streaming down her face. I pat the bed next to where I’m sitting and she crawls over and lays her head in my lap while she continues to sob.
“Iz, I’m so sorry. This really sucks. But I promise I’ll keep an eye on Luke and you can come visit me anytime Mom and Dad let you.” I whisper as I stroke her hair.
Izzy looks at me, wiping away the tears on her cheeks and shakes her head. “It’s not that. I’ll miss Luke, of course, but I’m used to long distance with him. I don’t want to leaveyou.I have a lot of friends, but you’re my best friend, Els.”
My heart warms at Izzy’s confession, and now I’m trying not to cry too. Damn her for being so sweet. “You’re my best friend too, Iz. I’m always just a phone call or text away, okay?”
“You better keep me updated on this whole Wes and Matt situation. I’m bummed I won’t be here to watch itplay out.” She sighs, sitting against the headboard, and interlacing her fingers with mine.
“What situation?”
Izzy sighs in exasperation, as if I should know exactly what she’s talking about. “How you like both of them, how they both likeyou.Did you know Wes went over and interrogated Luke about Mormonism Sunday morning? Luke told me he hasn’t dated anyone in almost two years, so he’s probably just really scared to ask you out, but he obviously likes you. Or Matt beat him to it and he doesn’t want to step on his toes.”
My mind flashes back to Sunday, how Wes and Matt were always next to me. How after Matt asked me out, Wes traded spots with Sean- had he heard Matt ask me out? Then there was Robin’s question about what I want in a partner. Did she ask for Wes? She said she asked because of Matt. Then he showed up and helped put together furniture and let me share something extremely personal with him without judging or getting scared off. The random, lengthy text conversations.
“I knew that Luke told him about it, but he didn’t tell me heasked.I assumed Luke had told him because of you.”
Izzy shrugs, “Nope. Luke said he was disappointed to learn some of the stuff, but I don’t know what.”
“...only dating other members.”Wes had said that’s what Luke told him. Did he think I wouldn’t agree to go out with him because he’s not a member?
“Anyway, I’m going to go to sleep, love you sis.” Izzy gives me a kiss on the cheek before she stands and walks out of the room.
“Love you too!” I call out after her.
All this new information is making my head spin, and now I’m even more confused than before. Is Wes playing some kind of game? The idea that Matt and Wes had a competition to see who could ask me out firstcrosses my mind for a fraction of a second, but I quickly swipe that away because that doesn’t sound like them, and I don’t think Robin would let them do that.
Robin. I should ask her what the hell is going on.
Maybe she doesn’t know.
Nothing is going to get sorted tonight, and I have to drive Izzy to the airport tomorrow so I need to sleep.
As I close my eyes, my mind drifts and before I know it, I’m lost in pools of dark chocolate that look a lot like Wes’s eyes.
Chapter 13
