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Yes.
Allie was worth the risk. Now all he needed to do was convince her that he was worth the risk, too.
CHAPTERELEVEN
Sundays were stillAllie’s favorite day of the week. Beyond her ability to feel closer to God, she had always enjoyed seeing a certain someone. It had used to be the highlight of her week.
Until today.
After what had happened a few days ago, she wasn’t sure she wanted to see Luke again. At least not for a week. Thankfully, he didn’t have a tendency to sit beside Pippa, which was who she was looking for.
She entered the church sanctuary and glanced around. People were already quickly filling in the pews, taking their seats before the service started. Teenagers were gathering in the balcony at the back to sit together away from their parents.
She used to spend her Sunday mornings up there—with Pippa and Luke.
Her stomach twisted, knotting like a tattered ball of yarn. She’d taken the whole weekend to figure out what she was going to do, and she hadn’t come up with a single solution. She needed to tell Pippa and get her advice.
Pippa was the only one who would be able to tell her what to do.
Allie’s gaze swept through the sanctuary, finally landing on the back of a familiar head. She took a quick step forward just as another adult took a seat beside her.
Luke.
What in the world was he doing sitting by Pippa? He never sat with his sister. Usually, he took a seat in the back with Molly. Something was up. Her whole body froze up. What if he’d told Pippa already? He could have spun it in any way that would make her look like she’d kissed him intentionally.
Pippa would be so mad if she found out that Allie had kept this from her. Either that or she’d be throwing Allie to the wolves—meaning right into Luke’s arms.
Would that be so bad?
This was what she’d always wanted. She’d dreamed of Luke finally taking notice of her. And yet she was terrified.
Luke and Pippa hadn’t seen her yet. She could just leave and stop by Pippa’s place to chat. Or she could shoot her a text message with just enough detail to get her friend to come to her.
Allie knew better than to try either of those options. She wasn’t about to leave church just because Luke might see her. It wasn’t like he would make a scene here. He was better than that. She straightened her shoulders and charged forward, heading down the aisle until she made it to Pippa’s row.
Pippa smiled and patted the seat beside her, but it was Luke’s shocked expression that nearly made Allie laugh out loud. If she wasn’t so scared out of her mind, she would have done just that. Instead, she waved at both of them and settled beside her friend.
Molly leaned forward to wave at her. “Hi Miss Patrick.”
Allie flashed her a smile. “Hey sweetie.” She could feel Luke’s gaze on her. He wasn’t even trying to hide it from anyone! Pippa nudged her shoulder against Allie’s and gave her a knowing smile.
That could mean anything. It didn’t prove Luke had told his sister about their kiss.
Who was she kidding? Based on that smile alone, Allie could almost guarantee that Pippa knewsomething. She gave her friend a wan smile and faced forward. If she looked toward Luke she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep a cool head and it was imperative she did so while in front of his sister.
“How was your week?” Pippa murmured.
Allie froze, glancing in her direction out of the corner of her eye. “You know. It’s getting busy with the holidays coming up. And then I’m helping Luke with that Christmas tree thing.”
Pippa whirled around to face her brother. “What Christmas tree thing?”
This time Allie couldn’t help but meet Luke’s gaze. His surprise turned to something more sheepish. “Didn’t Brent tell you?”
She whacked his leg. “No, Brent didn’t tell me. I swear, the second I moved out of that house all of you have been treating me like I don’t even exist. What would Mom think if she knew you guys were leaving me out?”
Luke let out an exasperated sigh, but the ghost of a smile still graced his lips. “We’re not leaving you out, Pippa. We’re doing our thing and you’re doing yours. I haven’t even told Mom about the Christmas tree thing either.”
“Well, what is it?”
