Finding Him (Him Series Book 2)

16-Jesus is calling

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?"