Wilder:Alright, keep your glasses on, Hollis. Anyone up for company? Do some baking to help me get my happy back?
Lennon:Come to mine, I stocked up on my baking supplies. And then you can rub my head.
Wilder:What about you Isley?
Isley:Sorry, I got plans today.
Wilder:Doing what?
Isley:I’ll tell you on Monday. Have fun with Lennon.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Isley
Isley got a sweat on at Wilder’s question. With Wilder being the only one who had any inkling about Laken, Isley didn’t want him pushing in the group chat. There was also the drama with the blackmailer that Isley could not share. Wilder was naturally inquisitive, and their friendship meant Isley had been doing some avoiding.
When his phone rang a few seconds after he closed the group chat, he knew before he saw Wilder’s name that it would be him. His hangover would be no match for Wilder’s questions once he got going. He accepted the video call.
“Have you got a date with Laken?” Wilder asked without any preamble.
“Yes.” He held up a hand when Wilder was about to launch into a rapid fire round of questions. “I don’t know where we’re going. That’s why I said I’d tell you Monday.”
He really didn’t have an answer because, like last week, Laken wasn’t giving him any clues as to what they were doing.
Wilder’s camera moved as he sat in the swing chair he had in his apartment, making Isley feel like he was on a rocking boat.
“A surprise. Wow, not what I expected from Mr. Uptight.”
Isley bristled at Wilder saying that about Laken. “He’s not uptight, he’s guarded. And he’s fun. Last week he took me to the dancing in the dark disco. They have drums and fluorescent power paints you pour on the drum and everyone ends up like a glow stick.”
“Seriously?” Wilder’s dark eyes were wide and peering at Isley like he was making it up.
“Yep, and when we do another PA night out I’m gonna suggest we go there.”
“I’m up for that!” Wilder bounced in his seat, making the camera move and giving Isley’s unsettled stomach something to complain about.
“Stop moving, I feel seasick.”
Wilder chuckled but thankfully stopped. “The talk you had with Laken went well then?”
Isley kept his thoughts to himself about how the talk had brought Laken to tears. “We’re dating,” he shared, keeping it brief.
“Fuck, that just leaves me and Lennon as the single ones now! How the hell did that happen?” he said mournfully. His expression revealed sadness that made Isley sympathize with his friend. He was aware of the feelings Wilder had for Jupiter but they were clearly unrequited.
“I thought I’d…” he sniffed and shook his head, short curls bouncing around his cheeks. He was gorgeous. Dark eyes and hair, with a cute elfin face and pointy chin with a dimpled smile that could charm anyone it was directed at. Just not the one Wilder wanted to charm. “Not wallowing. I’m not,” he said forcefully and more to himself.
“What time are you going to Lennon’s?” Isley asked to change the subject, when Wilder didn’t need to be reminded he had been wallowing for months.
“In about an hour. I just need to shower and figure out what I wanna bake.”
Isley chose to ignore the fact that Wilder didn’t sound in any way enthusiastic about the prospect. “What about those Battenburg cookies I saw on Instagram?” Isley gave Wilder a pleading look that made his friend laugh.
“You just want me to make those for you,” Wilder accused, laughing.
“Of course. You know I love the taste of frangipani. And if you loved me—”
Wilder scowled, making him look even more adorable. “You know I hate when you do that!”