Izabelle

Date night arrived too soon.

Thankfully, my car was fixed and I drove to my brother's house before my date with Troy. It was probably my imagination but I thought Hunter seemed disappointed when I told him I was going to Kyle's.

After I explained how awkward it would be to have my date pick me up at his house, he seemed to understand, although it surprised me that he acted like the idea had never occurred to him. Hunter was busy, and, for people who lived together, we didn't see each other much.

He was almost always gone before I got up in the morning, and he came home after I was in bed. I wondered if he was avoiding me, but that wasn't something Hunter would do. He just didn't share my feelings and didn't want to make it awkward between us. I was a roommate, a friend, and nothing more.

He called to check on me and texted. Hunter was considerate like that. It wasn't his fault I was falling in love with him. I winced at my own shocking thoughts. I'd been falling for years. Was I in love with Hunter?

"You ok, Izzy?"

I stiffened as Kyle walked into the kitchen his movements surprisingly fluid despite the Ilizarov device on the lower half of his left leg.

"Yeah, sorry. I didn't want to wake you up. Guess I shouldn't have dropped in unannounced."

Kyle let out a breath and headed to the coffee. "Give me a break. You're my sister. Drop in anytime. Or move in. That would be even better. Your apartment isn't safe, not that I haven't told you that a thousand times." He threw me a smile. "Clearly, I am the brains of the family."

"Funny." I shifted, choosing my words carefully. I didn't want to lie but I couldn't tell him I was staying at Hunter's either. "That's sort of why I'm here. I have a date and I didn't want him to pick me up at my place."

Kyle's gaze skipped over me, taking in my simple black pants, ankle boots, and pale pink spaghetti-strapped top paired with a black vest I'd crocheted myself. My hair was a mass of loose curls artfully arranged on top of my head.

"You look beautiful. And I'm glad you're here so don't take this the wrong way, but if you can't show him where you live he's not the man for you."

My heart warmed, but I still rolled my eyes at his protectiveness. "You never think any man is the man for me."

"It's going to take a special guy to live up to my expectations. You're my sister and I love you," he said, setting the coffee mug on the granite counter and giving me a side hug.

"I love you too, little brother. How've you been?" I pointed my finger and gave a stern look. "Don't give me the standard 'Fine, I'm good.'"

Tilting his dark head, he flashed a smile that made women's hearts flutter. "I really am good. Yeah, I've had a rough time, but God is seeing me through."

"Maybe he can help you patch things up with Ava," I said slowly, watching his expression.

A beat of silence and then, "You're assuming I want that."

"She was your best friend. The love of your life. Wasn't she?"

"Izzy." My name was a low, patient drawl. "She was your friend too, and I'm sorry if this is hard for you."

Confused, I stiffened and shifted on the bar stool to look at him. "This isn't about me. I want you to be happy. You love Ava. Don't think I don't know that the two of you planned to marry."

"We were in sixth grade! We make our plans, but God will determine our steps."

"How do you know what those steps are?"

Kyle's gaze was steady. "I pray, read the Bible, and God gives me strength."

"Sounds simple." I let out a nervous laugh. "Pray. Read. Boom!—All fixed."

"I have faith in God's plan for me. And you."

Sliding from the stool, I began to pace. "There has to be more to it than that."

"What's really on your mind Izabelle?"

"Jesus."

The pure joy that lit in my brother's eyes only increased my guilt.

I held up a hand. "Don't get your hopes up, little brother."

"Too late. I've been praying this day would come for a long time." Kyle's smile reached his eyes.

"I'm not sure I believe. Why do you?" I asked bluntly.

"Jesus called me." He paused, letting that sink in while I stewed with doubt. "He's calling everyone. He's calling you, Izabelle."

Hope and doubt wrestled within me. "Why would the creator of the universe call me?"

"Because he loves you. There's nothing unique about me—or anyone. It has nothing to do with us. It's all about Jesus. I listened to his call and I answered."

The words took hold. Was God speaking to me? Likely not. I was last on his list. Lucy and Kyle, for sure. Hunter, definitely. Even Katie with her mountainous God issues would be chosen before me. I was a hard no.

"You going to introduce me to your date?" Kyle said, changing the subject as if he knew he'd pushed enough for one day. "I'll size him up and see if he gets big bros stamp of approval."

He puffed his chest and flexed his muscles.

I laughed. "Color me worried."

"Yeah, well, I guess I should wait until I lose the metal leg." He gripped his neck. "Doesn't look too macho."

"Macho?" I squealed.

"Hey, I've spent a lot of time watching 70's comedies lately." He chuckled and launched a wadded napkin at me.

I ducked.

Despite his horrifying but comical threat to interrogate my date, Kyle was friendly when he introduced himself to Troy, who was a handsome guy around my age with an easy smile and a stunning bouquet of wildflowers.

I resisted the urge to play with my hair, a nervous habit, while my date and my brother talked like they were old friends. At least Kyle's presence tampered with the blind date awkwardness though it reappeared with a vengeance once we were alone.

"It's nice to meet you, Troy. I'm Izabelle."

"It's nice to meet you too," he said with an amused smile that was worthy of a magazine cover. "Hunter told me your name," he added teasing.

"Oh, how helpful of him. He told me yours too." Troy led me outside to his car while I tried to think of something interesting to say. "Thank you for the flowers!" I said with a touch too much enthusiasm as he opened my door.

"You're welcome."

Clearly, my dating skills were below average. Several long beats of silence followed.

"They're beautiful and they smell amazing," I added as he started the truck and threw me a weird look like he was thinking I was the most boring person in the world but he was too polite to comment.

Scratch the below-average. My conversation skills were nonexistent.

"Hunter picked them out." Troy shook his head like he hadn't meant to say that. "I mean, he didn't go by them. He suggested wildflowers."

Guess I wasn't the only one who need to enroll in dating-convos 101. I smiled, relaxing a bit, more pleased than I should have been that Hunter picked out my flowers. Ugh. Do not think of him. Focus on the one you're with. Ask him a question.

"Hunter didn't twist your arm to go out with me, did he?"

"What? No. I volunteered. It was the least I can do after setting him up with all but one of my sister's friends." His eyes widened like that had been a chore.

The flash of jealousy I felt was calmed by the fact that it obviously hadn't worked out with Hunter and those other women.

"I see. This is a payback date."

He threw me a speculative look as if trying to decide if I was offended. "I've upset you. This is why I'm no good with women. I'm too blunt."

"I'm not upset," I said with a smile to reassure him. "Just curious."

"Me too. About why someone as sweet, interesting, and gorgeous as you would need to have an arranged date."

"That's kind of you to say."

"It's true." His gaze snagged mine. "Am I like a rebound date? Be honest. It's ok with me if I am."

"It's not like that at all. Is that what this is for you?"

"Hmm." He shook his head. "How do you know Hunter?"

"I'm friends with his daughter."

"Cool."

The conversation was stagnant after that. Luckily, it was a short ride to the restaurant. I used the time to size up my date.

Troy had kind eyes and seemed friendly enough. I liked him. He was almost as tall as Hunter but much stockier. His arms were the size of tree trunks and he looked as if he lived in the gym. He was wearing a suit. It was a nice one dark with a white dress shirt and blue tie like he was on his way to a wedding.

We arrived at the Ripe Tomato—pronounced taa-ma-to, I know because the host sternly corrected me—before Hunter and Renee and we were seated at a white linen-clothed table and offered a finger bowl of water to wash our hands.

From the moment we stepped into the swanky place that screamed Rich People Only I felt self-conscious. It was a fancy, pretentious Italian restaurant with candlelit tables, fresh-cut flowers, and more silverware than I knew what to do with.

I glanced around, hoping to see Hunter.

Troy grinned. "Nice. Right?"

My gaze swung back to him. I stared, not sure what he was saying.

"I picked the place." He sat a little straighter like he'd single-handedly hung the moon. "I knew you'd like it."

"Oh, wow." I nodded, recovering quickly. "I'm sure they have really good food."

Glancing up my heart caught in my throat when Hunter walked in with Renee. They looked like they belonged together, and I wasn't the only one watching them. Troy seemed as intrigued by the duo as I did, maybe even more so.

Renee was stunning in a black mini-skirt, tall boots, and a blousy, blue, one-shouldered top. Her hair was a riot of curls loosely pulled back and fastened at her nape. She was lovely, but it was the man beside her who had my attention.

Dressed in dark jeans, a black button-down shirt, and boots, he was breathtaking. I couldn't tear my eyes off him. I was staring. Our gazes crashed and held which explained why it took me several heartbeats to notice Troy's reaction.

His jaw hung open and he seemed unable to take his eyes off of Renee. Interesting or weird. I wasn't sure which.

Hunter looked from his date to mine and held his hand out to Troy who took it. "You didn't mention I needed a suit."

Renee let out a harsh laugh. "He wouldn't Troy's inconsiderate like that."

"And Renee is self-absorbed. I doubt she noticed what you were wearing until now," Troy shot back.

"I noticed." Renee lifted her chin and slipped her arm into Hunter's. "Hunter heart-stopping gorgeous."

With a glance at Hunter, I saw he was as surprised as I was. "You two know each other." It wasn't a question.

Renee stepped even closer to Hunter. "Troy is my ex-boyfriend." She said ex-boyfriend in the same tone one might say serial killer.

"What a coincidence." I could not believe the irony.

Hunter's gaze darkened at Troy's arm around my waist. "If you two would rather call this off—"

Troy and Renee spoke at the same time, cutting him off.

"No!"

"Absolutely not."

"At least we don't need to waste time on introductions," I laughed, hoping to ease the tension but my joke fell flat.

The four of us sat down and ordered, trying to make small talk, which wasn't easy considering that Troy and Renee refused to speak to one another. Yes, this was going to be fun.

Renee sat close enough to Hunter that their bodies were pressed against each other. She turned her soft eyes to Hunter. "How do you know Troy?"

"We play golf together."

Troy glanced over at me. "How do you know Renee?"

"We work at the hospital together."

Troy's gaze caught mine. "Oh, wow, you're a nurse too."

"I'm an entertainer. The clown I created, Izzy, tries to cheer up sick children."

"She does a fabulous job," Renee announced proudly. "Everyone loves Izzy and Lucy." Reluctantly, she spoke to Troy. "Lucy is Hunter's daughter."

"I know Lucy," Troy returned. "I'm sure they're wonderful."

"They are wonderful, amazing in fact," Renee shot back as if Troy had contradicted her.

"I just said that Renee."

"Well, you said it in a sarcastic tone. Didn't he Izabelle?"

I took a deep breath and saw Hunter fighting a smile. "I thought he was sincere."

Troy was indignant. "I'd never say anything to offend Izabelle. She's sweet and beautiful and nice."

"Are you implying I'm none of those things?" Renee sounded hurt.

Some of the fire left Troy. "Of course not. You know how I feel about you. You're the one who wanted to break up."

"I never wanted to break up!" Tears shimmered in Renee's eyes. "You forced me to do it because of all the hours you spend with Priscilla and Charlotte."

Hunter choked back a laugh. I kept mine behind closed lips. Both of us waited to hear what would happen next.

Troy's expression was genuinely confused as his gaze locked with Renee's. "I was honest about my feelings for Prissy and Char. You said you didn't mind."

Renee eased back from Hunter. "I didn't at first, but then you never had time for me."

"That's not true!" Troy reached for Renee's hand.

"You let her sleep with you!" Renee cried.

"Just that one time and only because I needed to fix the heat lamp," Troy said, his expression begging her to understand. "It wasn't that big of a deal."

A single, lonely tear slid down Renee's cheek. "You love them more than me. That is a huge deal."

"Nah, that's not so. Hunter will back me on this." Troy's desperate gaze swung to his friend.

Hunter sat a little straighter, lifting a brow. I could tell he was thoroughly amused by the exchange and so was I. "Maybe you should tell me what Priscilla and Charlotte look like," he said, his hand moving over his jaw, probably hiding a smile.

"They're chickens," Troy answered like Hunter had asked a ridiculous question.

"Thought so." Hunter let out a heavy sigh.

"You knew they were chickens?" I asked surprised and impressed.

"I knew they weren't women—because of the heat lamp."

I held back laughter.

"Why don't you talk to me at church?" Renee asked moving closer to Troy.

"I want to, but you always hurry from the service." He glanced down, taking her hands in his. "I thought you were still mad."

The two of them were staring at each other like they'd forgotten Hunter and me.

"I miss you, Renee."

"Oh, Pookie, I miss you too!" she cried throwing her arms around Troy.

Hunter and I smiled. It was a sweet, happy ending. For them at least.

"I'm sorry. Do you guys mind?" Troy asked Hunter and me when he pulled away from Renee, his expression sheepish.

"Not at all Pookie. Enjoy yourselves." Hunter's lips lifted at the corners in a small smile before his hot gaze slammed into mine.

They excused themselves to talk outside leaving us alone.