Pure Connections

Chapter 28

The pile of clothes overflowing from Lisa's suitcase had grown considerably since she'd attempted packing two days ago. Which wouldn't be a problem if it hadn't turned into an actual pyramid instead of the organized stack of folded wears needed for the fucking thing to be zipped closed come Sunday morning when she'd leave for the airport. And really, she was beginning to think folding was entirely overrated. In fact, making herself "actual" meals instead of ordering takeout, showering and not putting on fresh pajamas, just about anything that required her to leave her bed and the brain-melting quantity of reality TV she'd been consuming all seemed barbaric.

This dating show, at least, came with an all queer cast and a premise that required her to create her very own spreadsheet in a debatably obsessive effort to deduce which couples were a "perfect match." Ten perfect matches and they'd win the million dollars, assuming half of them managed to get past their obvious proclivity to self-sabotage and find their person. The hefty dose of irony that came with realizing that was a tough pill to swallow. But tonight was her best friend's rehearsal dinner. Tomorrow, he'd be getting married, and she didn't get to stand next to him on the happiest day of his life sulking like someone had spit in her cornflakes. Not when the only reason she'd be alone was because she'd somehow gotten it in her head that her perfect match was too perfect for her.

The ding of her doorbell rang through the loft. She paused her episode with a huff, peering through the open bedroom door as if by some miracle she'd attain a clear view down the stairs and through the thick metal of her front door. On the second ring, she leaned into her headboard, deciding the unwelcomed intrusion didn't have to be anything but that. The time in the top right corner of her laptop read 10:20 a.m. With Mom doubling up on meetings this week, and this morning being her second, in preparation for a celebration rigged with an open bar, Lis immediately discounted her being at the door. Still, the last time she'd shown up unannounced flitted to the forefront of Lisa's mind—the way Jennie's body fit seamlessly next to hers, the sleepy look of confusion on her face when she'd come looking for Lis, hair tangled and messy, one hand rubbing her eyes as her shirt rode up to expose her midriff. The way she held Lis after when Mom's apology had felt like a bit too much too early. Lisa couldn't remember another time when being that open with another person had come so easily.

The sound of the doorbell jolted her back.

She still had at least four episodes before she'd have to pick up Maya from the airport, and almost twice as many before the wedding rehearsal. It wouldn't be anyone she knew. No one else knew where she was staying. Except...

She unraveled the human burrito she'd turned into and headed for the stairs. Adrenaline surged through her veins as something dangerous and hopeful settled in the pit of her stomach. As she got to the door, she dragged in a breath and held it.

Another chime rang out.

Lisa swung the door open.

"This is an intervention." Blake shouldered his way past her, followed by Maya, who'd at least stopped to press a kiss to Lisa's cheek before welcoming herself into the loft, carry-on in tow.

Lisa's eyes fell shut, the bit of misguided hope swirling inside her plummeting to the soles of her feet. Of course, it wasn't Jennie. Why would it be? It was the middle of the morning on a Friday where she was no doubt busy at Gia, and if either of them should be popping up on the other's doorstep, it was Lisa. She gave the door a weighty shove, letting it shut with a bang, and made next to no effort to keep the exhaustion from her tone when she asked, "What are you guys doing here?"

Blake scrunched up his face, green eyes narrowed in her direction. "Intervening, Lali. Surely you understand what the word intervention means."

Lisa rolled her eyes, turning to Maya. Blake happened to be ridiculous one hundred percent of the time, but she expected better from her sister. "I thought I was picking you up from the airport. In four hours."