The Promise

Chapter Four

The next morning, Lana stood in the kitchen, nursing her coffee. The sound of cheerful humming could be heard floating through the apartment and she looked around for the source. Limping towards the breakfast bar was Isabella, smiling and continuing to hum. Hopping up onto a barstool, she put her hand out for coffee and Lana slid a cup over to her.

"Good morning!" She said with a grin as Lana looked on, peering at her suspiciously over her coffee. Lana was not a morning person. Neither was Isabella.

"You and I have an understanding about mornings. We don't like them. What happened last night that put so much pep in your step?" Lana said, trying to muster some emotion in her voice, but failing miserably.

"Nothing. I just had a nice evening. Slept well. You get home late? I think I was asleep before you even got in," Isabella said with nonchalance, adding some cream and sugar to her coffee before taking a big gulp of the warm liquid.

Lana took another sip of coffee, squinting in concentration. Suddenly her eyes grew wide as saucers.

"Did you guys have sex?!"

"No!" Isabella said, rolling her eyes. "We made out a little, but I stopped it before it could go any farther. I told him I wasn't ready and he completely understood."

"So this is a result of a heavy make out session? I mean, I get it, he's probably a great kisser, but no clothes came off?"

The disappointment in Lana's voice was almost laughable to Isabella.

"Not everyone has sex on the first or second date, Lana. That's just you," she said, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Whatever, I know you're just playing the long game. That man is a slice of body perfection. It's only a matter of time before you can't help yourself anymore. Don't be afraid to go for it. You're a woman, you have needs. He looks like he's quite good at fulfilling those needs. Use him!"

Isabella laughed at her friend. "You are insane. And you know how I am. This should not come as a surprise to you. When have I ever jumped into bed with a man?"

"Never. But you've also never met a man like Tom Hiddleston before either. You have willpower like I've never seen. I've had sex like four times since you two met!"

"Always an overachiever!" Isabella said with a laugh.

Lana joined in, knowing that her friend didn't judge her for her promiscuity. They had been best friends since they were kids and nothing would change that.

"So, are you seeing Sir Thomas tonight as well then?" Lana asked, a questioning eyebrow quirking up on her very interested face.

"To be honest, I don't know. We didn't plan anything. Who knows? I'm not going to get my-" she started, the text tone on her phone interrupting her train of thought.

"Let me guess who that might be," Lana said with a knowing glance.

Isabella unlocked her phone and saw a text from Tom. The look on her face as she read it was all Lana needed to see to know that she would indeed have plans this evening.

"So, what time is he picking you up?"

Isabella looked up from her phone, distracted by the text. "Huh? Oh, uh, 7 again? He said to wear something nice."

"He didn't tell you where you were going?"

"Nope. He said it was a surprise." Isabella pursed her lips together, trying to keep a goofy smile from breaking out on her face.

"Ooooh. Sir Thomas has something special in store for his lady? Well, well. We'll have to get you dressed up extra nice tonight. Maybe even a different hairstyle?"