“Jesse, we didn’t do anything. That’s all it was,” she insists.
The look in her brown eyes is believable. “Promise me?”
“I promise. You know I’m not like that.”
“I know you’re not, but as your big brother, who was also seventeen once, I’m just making sure.”
“You don’t have to worry. He knows the limit and he hasn’t pushed it.”
“Good.” I swallow, biting my tongue before I accidentally ask what the limit is. I have to trust her judgment.
I stand up, slowly making my way toward the door, a sense of relief washing over me that this conversation went smoothly and I don’t have to commit a crime over this guy.
As I reach for the doorknob, I turn back to her. “Give yourself some grace, okay? Brantley’s new. You’ve known Wesley your whole life. Of course you’re going to feel more comfortable with him.”
She sighs, still with some uncertainty, but she nods.
“Are you seeing Ella tonight?” she asks.
“Yeah, for a bit. She’s working the next few nights.”
“So, are you going to marry her?” Her question strikes me. I nearly choke on the air.
“Addison.” I stifle a laugh. I haven’t even gotten the chance to tell Ella I love her yet, let alone discuss marriage.
“What? The way you look at her is the same way Dad looks at Mom,” she says matter-of-factly.
Her observation hits me hard, taking me by surprise. I didn’t realize it was that obvious, but hearing it like that makes everything feel more real.
“I mean, it’s not that simple.” I wish it were though.
She crosses her arms. “I’m just saying, you’re twenty-nine years old and haven’t been in a serious relationship since her, so what are the odds yourone that got awayshows up soon after you get into a semi-serious relationship with Lexie?” She pauses for me to process. “God couldn’t have made it any clearer,” she adds.
Her statement is bold and hangs heavy in the air. I don’t think she’s wrong. I’m a strong believer in everything happens for a reason—we all are. God has a plan, always. But trying tonavigate through things He throws at you can still be difficult. It’s not always clear; but this, this does feel clear to me.
“You’re the one who invited her to the house. I wouldn’t have moved on so quick.” I let out a laugh to lighten the depth of the conversation.
“So is that a thank you?”
“I don’t know, sure. For now.”
“Well, then you’re welcome, but just don’t mess it up.” She smirks and tosses her newly curled hair back behind her shoulder.
On that note, I turn to leave and proceed back downstairs to head home.
Marriage isn’t something I take lightly. It’s a commitment, a promise. We used to dream about it together, when life felt simpler. Of course I still want it with her. But first, I should probably tell her I love her.
Ella shows up at my door an hour later, lasagna in one hand and a plate of cookies in the other. She mentioned yesterday how upset she was about missing church for the second week in a row because of her night shifts, so I suggested making up for it with a Bible study. Just me and her.
Some people might think one-on-one Bible studies like that are awkward. Lexie sorta did. But Ella and I grew up in the church together. We spent half our childhood in youth group, Bible studies, trips, camps, so it’s never felt weird to us. It’s just another way you connect with people.
She slides the lasagna into the oven before joining me on the couch. I reach for my Bible on the coffee table as she settles in next to me. Hers is the same one she’s had since we were younger, just like mine.
“Okay, I think I was in Romans,” I say, flipping through thepages. “That good with you?”
“Yeah, whatever’s good.” She thumbs through her pages.
“Want to read it out loud? You’re a little better at it than me,” I say with a small laugh.
