"Because you're my best friend. Because I knew it would complicate things. Because—" I stop.
"Because what?"
"Because I didn't want to choose between you and her."
The honesty of it hangs between us. Luke is quiet for a long moment.
"You think you'd have to choose," he finally says.
"Don't I?"
"I don't know. Do you?"
I study his face. Looking for anger. Betrayal. Some sign that I've destroyed our friendship.
Instead, I see something I wasn't expecting.
Understanding.
"Ethan," Luke says carefully. "I trust you. With my life. With Callie's life. With everything that matters to me. You know that, right?"
"I know."
"So why would you think I'd have a problem with you being interested in my sister?"
The question catches me off guard. "Because she's your sister."
"And you're my best friend. The only guy I know who's actually good enough for her." He pauses. "I meant what I said at breakfast. If I could pick someone for Callie, it'd be you."
I can't process this. Can't reconcile what he's saying with everything I've convinced myself is true.
"Luke—"
"I'm not saying it won't be weird. It will. But I'm also not saying no. I'm saying talk to her. Figure out what you both want. And stop torturing yourself over what I might think."
The waitress brings our coffee. We both doctor it in silence.
"I'm still going to Denver," I say finally.
"Why?"
"Because I need to think. Need space to figure this out without her three blocks away."
"Running away isn't going to solve anything."
"I know. But it might help me see things clearer."
Luke doesn't look convinced. "Fine. Go to Denver. Clear your head. But when you come back, you need to make a choice. Either you want her or you don't. But you can't keep doing this halfway thing. It's not fair to either of you."
He's right. I know he's right.
But knowing doesn't make the choice any easier.
We finish our coffee. Luke pays again despite my protest. We walk out to the parking lot together.
"Drive safe," he says. "And Ethan? For what it's worth, I'm not mad. I'm glad you told me."
"Even though I've been lying for months?"
