Page 5 of Until Then

When I unlock the door and push it in, all the air leaves my lungs.

“Oh my God.” I slap a hand over my eyes—my poor innocent eyes.

I did not expect to walk in and find my sister pinned against the counter while Reid goes to town.

Nope.

With a shudder, I run back down the stairs, hugging Wonton to my chest, grateful I didn’t lug my heavy suitcase along with me.

I quickly herd Wonton back into his bag, then start the car, ready to get the hell out of there. But before I can, Via’s at my door.

“Izzy.” She knocks on the glass, her face bright red with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry.”

As I roll the window down, I do my best not to think about her boyfriend’s butt. “It’s okay. I didn’t think you were home, so I was going to let myself in. You know, key and all.” I hold up the key like I need it for evidence.

“When you texted that you were coming, I thought you meant next week or next month, not the next day. My car’s at Reid’s.” Her words fall from her mouth quickly. “We came over in his to get some things and got… distracted.”

Movement in my periphery catches my attention, and when I find Reid standing in the open doorway of Via’s apartment, shirtless, his jeans pulled up but still unbuttoned, I sigh.

“Hey, Izzy.” With a smirk, he waves one hand.

I’m not sure it’s possible to embarrass that guy.

“Hi, Reid.” To Via, I say, “I’ll stay at the inn for now.”

“Wait.” She purses her lips, her nose crinkling in confusion. “How long are you staying?”

“Through the summer.”Or forever,since I’m canceled.

Her brows rise in surprise. “That long?”

“Mhm.” I explained the debacle to her, but she’s entirely inept at social media, so the whole thing went right over her head.

“Reid’s leaving. Please, stay. It would be silly for you to stay at the inn.”

From the look of things, it would be a terrible idea for me to stay here. I don’t know why Via and Reid haven’t moved in together yet, but I respect my sister for wanting to take it slow. She got married fairly young, and look how that turned out.

“Yeah.” I nod at a shirtless Reid, who’s still hovering by the door. “Sure looks like he’s going to leave.”

With a scowl, she shoos him inside. “I’ll make him leave.”

“It’s fine.” Disappointment flickers through me, but I keepmy expression light. “You weren’t expecting me. I’ll stay at the inn for now and figure something out.”

The inn is cute, but it’s not a great solution for the length of time I plan to be here. Being relegated to a single room would be torture.

“Izzy, I’m serious, please stay.”

“Listen.” I inhale and let it out slowly. “To be perfectly honest with you, after what I just saw, I’m not sure I’m capable of entering your apartment without throwing up.”

Frowning, she mutters, “Fair enough.”

I pat her hand where it rests on the open window frame. “I’m very happy for you, though.”

Via laughs, eyes sparkling with amusement. “Thanks. You’ll find someone special soon enough.”

My heart pinches as the words hit. I’m not so sure about that. Guys in LA are incredibly vain. Disgustingly so. Most of the women are, too. Sure, I’ve had a smidge of Botox here and there and some lip filler myself, but most people who call the City of Angels their home go overboard. And more than that, I’ve yet to meet a single one who is capable of loving someone more than they love themself.

Forgive me for wanting to be someone’severything.

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