Page 107 of Until Then

Me: Pick you up in twenty?

Via: Sounds good. I’ll be ready.

I shuck off my sweatpants and oversized tee and slip into a dress in record time, then I toss my hair up with a clip. After letting Wonton out to pee and smothering him in kisses for being the goodest boy, I drive over to Via’s apartment.

She takes the steps at a relaxed pace, a crocheted bag slung over her shoulder and her jeans streaked with paint and what I think might be charcoal.

“Hi,” she says as she slips into the passenger seat. “Please tell me we’re going to get coffee first. I need caffeine. I was up all night.”

I grin, waggling my eyebrows. “All night, huh?”

She swats my arm. “Not like that. Though”—she laughs, strapping the seat belt across her chest—“sometimes it is like that, but not in this case. I was up working on a project. I wentto sleep at a reasonable time, but then inspiration struck, so I got up and went for it.”

Frowning, I ask, “You get inspiration in your sleep?”

“I was dreaming,” she explains as I back out of the alley that serves as her driveway, “and in the dream I was painting. It was so beautiful, Izzy. The pink was the most unique shade I’ve ever seen. And the blue was so vibrant. I knew it was just what the piece I’ve been working on needed.”

I shake my head, astounded at the way her brain works. “You’re incredible.”

She bumps her elbow lightly against mine. “So are you. Now, what is this I heard about you posting a man on Instagram? It’s Derrick, right? Mom called me about it, but I haven’t been online to confirm.”

I take my eyes off the road for a second to gape at my sister. “How would she know? She’s not even on social media.”

Via waves a dismissive hand. “One of her friends sent a screenshot to her.”

“Ugh,” I groan, tossing my head back as I stop at the light. “I should’ve known. Why didn’t she ask me about it?”

“I think she was hoping I’d spill without her having to confront you. Youarethe favorite.”

My heart sinks. “Via.”

“What?” she asks, her tone much more upbeat than mine. “It’s true, and I’m okay with it.”

I press my lips together and leave it alone. There’s no sense in denying it. Our parents’ favoritism has always been blatant, and it’s absolutely laughable. For years, Via was the one who did everything that was asked of her, while I always marched to the beat of my own drum.

“Anyway, I’m sure she’ll call you at some point. Figured I’d give you a heads-up.”

A shaky exhale gusts out of my lips. “She’s going to kill me when I tell her I’m moving here.”

“You’re moving here?” Via blurts out, jolting in her seat so she’s facing me, more surprised than I expected her to be.

“Yes. I don’t want to be in LA anymore. I love it here.”

In my periphery, Via nibbles her lip in a way that tells me she’s carefully weighing her words. “You’re not moving for Derrick, are you?”

“No,” I answer firmly. “I’m not. Yes, being here permanently will make things easier for us, but truthfully, I made this decision before anything even happened with him. I just needed to come to terms with it. Even though I know it’s the right choice, I’m still closing a chapter on my life.”

“I understand that. I guess that means I should share my news, too.”

“Ooh.” I wiggle my shoulders and dart a glance at her. “What is it?”

“Reid and I are looking at houses. Just something small.”

“Aw, Via.” I reach over and squeeze her hand. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you.” She pulls a ChapStick out of her purse. “I’ve been putting it off, which is silly with as much time as we spend together. Most nights, I either end up at his place, or he ends up at mine. It makes sense to live together.”

“I wondered why you hadn’t already moved in together, but I didn’t want to push.”

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