Page 24 of Until Then

I have friends in LA, but none of the relationships I have are like this. Most are, unfortunately, superficial and mutually beneficial. In fact, if I walked away from LA and my socialmedia, chances are Finneas is the only one who would keep in touch.

Small towns often get ragged on, but in my mind, having such close relationships with other members of the community is special.

“Oh,” my sister says, turning to me. “Izzy, this is Jessica.”

The pregnant woman beside her waves.

“Cassandra.” Via points out the woman who joined in with Glenda about wanting to throw a baby shower. “Susan, Anna, Mindy, Tammy, and Lucy.”

With a wave, I give the group a nod. I’ve met most of them before, but only in passing, so I didn’t have names to put with faces.

“I heard you’re livin’ with Reid’s daddy.” Glenda’s drawl is unique. It’s not quite southern but not northern either.

“Where’d you hear that?” I ask, wishing I had grabbed a drink before I joined Via on the couch, if only to have something to do with my hands.

“Around. I talk to people besides this lot.” She points to the gathered women, brow arched expectantly. “Well, are you?”

I mimic her expression, though mine feels a bit more exasperated. “I didn’t realize it was a question.”

Smiling so big I’m surprised her face doesn’t crack in half, Glenda wags a finger at me. “I like you.”

Via gives my knee a light swat. “My apartment is small, and the inn was full, so Derrick generously offered her a place to stay.”

Technically, he was forced into it, but I have no interest in getting into that debacle.

“That’s kind of him,” Glenda says, eyeing me. “He’s a good man. Good looking, too. And single.”

Via drops her head back and howls with laughter. “Glenda,I beg you,pleasedon’t try to set my sister up with my boyfriend’s dad.”

My stomach knots. What would my sister think if she knew I check Derrick out on a near constant basis when he’s at home? Maybe it’s wrong, but it’s damn near impossible not to. Daddy Crawford ishot.

“Why not? They’d be a great fit.”

The way Via shudders in horror stings. Not so much with hurt, I guess, but with disappointment. Though I don’t understand why. I’m not looking to date Derrick, and I’m pretty sure he’s sworn off the idea of dating altogether after how disastrously things went with my sister.

For the next hour, the group yammers on about how great it would be for Derrick to find a girlfriend. They move on from considering me as an option to naming every decent woman in a fifty-mile radius.

I stuff my face with food to keep myself occupied and to avoid uttering anything incriminating. As much as I’d like a glass of wine, I stay away from the alcohol so I can drive back to Derrick’s house. I don’t want my sister or anyone else volunteering to give me a ride home.

At the end of the night, I say my goodbyes to the ladies and hurry out to the car, but before I can make my getaway, my sister appears beside my window, forcing me to roll it down.

“Don’t let them scare you away. They’re a fun bunch, I promise.”

“They’re great. I’m just…”

I don’t know how to explain that I’m floundering. I’ve had my life figured out since I was a teenager, but now it’s spiraling out of my control. Then, to top it all off, I’m attracted to my pseudo-landlord. I’ve only been in Parkerville for a week, and I’m already making a mess of things.

I settle on “tired,” which isn’t exactly a lie.

I haven’t slept well in months.

Via’s lips tug down and her eyes shine in sympathy. “Is there anything I can do?”

With a smirk, I cock my head to the side. “Yes, Via, why don’t you get some sleep for me?”

She rolls her eyes. “Your sarcasm is not appreciated, but at least you’re feeling well enough to joke.”

“Don’t worry about me,” I insist, starting my car. “I’m going to go home and shower, put on a face mask, and vegetate on the couch.”

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