Page 36 of Loving the Sinner
“Sure.” He makes his way over to the couch and sits.
We sit in an uncomfortable silence for what feels like an hour, but it’s probably only ten minutes, before he finally clears his throat and breaks the silence. “Elli said you texted her last night and you seemed drunk.”
I nod, unsure of what else to do or say. Where is he going with this?
“Why?”
“Why did I drink, or why did I text Elli?” I don’t want to answer either question, but the latter would be easier to explain.
“Both.”
Fuck.
I clear my throat, thinking through my answer. Apparently I’m taking too long, because Matt sighs and rubs his hands down his face. “Did you drink because of Elli?”
I nod.
“You like her?”
I nod again, preparing for him to tell me back off, she’s his.
“What the hell, Wes? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“What was I supposed to say? ‘Hey bro, I think I really like Elli, even though it’s only been two fucking days, so if you could not use your charm on her, I’d appreciate it.’”
“You could have told me you liked her! I wouldn’t have asked her out if I knew that.” A beat, then, “Why the hell didn’t you ask her out? You had the chance before I did.”
I shrug, “I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. Then she met you, and I know you’re more her type. You’d be better for her, can offer her more. Then, I heard you ask her out and she said yes and I wasn’t about to ruin our friendship over a girl I’d known less than twenty-four hours.”
Matt stares at me, mouth agape, and then the fuckerlaughs.“You know? I thought I was her type, too. To be honest, I thought she’d want to be a wife and stay-at-home mom and that was part of why I liked her. That’s a dick thing for me to say, I know. But she told me she probably doesn’t want kids.”
First, what an ass to assume that about her. Second, I’m also an ass becauseIassumed that about her, too. Third, part of me feels like this is a trap.
“Wes, look. Elli is great. She’s pretty, funny, and smart. But I could tell she wasn’t as into me as either of us wanted her to be. I’m not going to be upset if you were to ask her out. You’ve already shown up more for her than I have, and I can tell she was genuinely worried about you last night. So stop putting your feelings behind everyone else’s and go get the girl.”
“How could you tell she wasn't into you?” I may regret asking that later, but I need to know.
“I uh, could tell when we kissed. I know when a girl is kissing because she’s interested and kissing just to kiss. And she spent the ride home worrying aboutyou.”
“I’m sorry if I ruined your date.”
Matt waves me off, “Don’t worry about it, man. Elli’s cool, but I think we’re better off as just friends. You deserve to be happy, Wes. If Elli makes you happy, you need to go for it.”
“Thanks, Matt.”
“Anytime.” Matt gives me a pat on the shoulder before he walks out the door.
Well, now I have no excuse. But I’m not just going to rush over there and ask her out. No, I’m going to show her that I’m worthy of her first. I’m going to keep up my end of the deal and help her.
She’s the priority, and the wait will be worth it.
Chapter 16
Elli
Wes finally started texting me again on Monday and we have plans to try coffee on Thursday morning, which is tomorrow. I’ve been sending him pictures of my “immodest” outfits and he always hypes me up with them, and I feel like the weirdness from Saturday is finally dissipating.
Brunch with Robin on Sunday was amazing. I was able to talk about my date with Matt, without feeling like she was judging me or like she was going to go tell him what I said. I think it’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship. She’s hilarious, and I love how she says whatever is on her mind no matter what.
