Izzy is more open than expected [Cypher's Tales]

“Why would you ask me to sleep with Owen if you hadn’t cheated on him? You did cheat on him, right?” I ask questioningly.

Izzy looks at me strangely, like she is more trying to gauge my reaction than anything else.

“Of course I did. Mel, I don’t know what I’m trying to say, just forget about it.” she says looking embarrassed.

I hear her say it and I want to believe her, but I don’t. Did Izzy trick me into sleeping with Owen? My mind races but I can’t say anything because I don’t want to accuse her or own up to doing things she told me not to.

“Okay,” I say, trying to bring everything back to normal.

Izzy reaches across the table and puts her hand on mine. Her hand is soft and warm and the look she gives me is kind. “Thank you, I know it was probably weird, but I am glad you are my friend.”

Damn it. I love Izzy but I am almost certain that something isn’t right here.

“I will find some way to tell him, I just don’t know if _now _is the right time,” she says, sounding concerned.

Either Izzy is a good actor, or I am imagining things. I try not to think about it too much as we continue talking.

“So, you guys got back later than I thought you would,” Izzy says conversationally as she sips her coffee.

It sends me right back to stressing about what we did rather than focusing on what’s up with Izzy.

I chuckle nervously. “Yeah, it was a bit of a slow start this morning, and the drive took a while,” I say, making excuses.

“It’s fine, I trust you,” she says happily.

Holy shit! Izzy is so good at making me feel 'on edge' even after just seconds ago I could swear she was on the back foot about what her real intentions were.

We talked awkwardly for a while about details of the night, like what we ate, how the concert was and what the city is like before Izzy asks, “Why don’t you come have dinner at our place tonight?”

I paused, looking curiously at her happy face. “Don't you think that might be weird?” I ask.

“Why? I want things to be normal between us. You can’t avoid Owen forever and I’ll be pissed at him if he starts trying to avoid you.” she laughs.

“I don’t know…” I say nervously. “Did Owen say anything when he got home?” I ask stupidly and without thinking.

“Nothing like admitting that he just fucked a hot 22-year-old, if that's what you mean,” she laughed

‘Cute’ I corrected her in my head. And that wasn’t what I meant. Why is Izzy so happy to talk about this so straightforwardly? It’s like she actually likes that we had sex. Is this a kink of hers?

“No. I just mean like, did he seem normal? did he seem worried? did he seem-”

“He seemed… like he had a lot of fun, which I’m sure he did,” she said with a half-smile.

I feel so conflicted about everything. On one hand: I am happy that things aren't awkward, and Izzy seems happy; but I am also annoyed that we spent almost 24 hours together doing… that and now… nothing, it meant nothing. I guess I should be happy that I didn’t ruin anything, but I am not. I want more of Owen and I’m hurt that it feels like Owen doesn’t care. I am also incredibly confused by Izzy’s attitude to everything. I contemplate telling her more to see how she reacts. Izzy seems to be much less concerned about what we did than I had previously thought she would be.

“You know, I don’t blame him, right? We put him in this situation for a reason, knowing what would happen. How can I hold that against him? Who wouldn’t try their luck with a pretty girl like you?” she says out of the blue.

Izzy looks at me like I have never noticed before. She’s not obvious about it, but she looks me up and down.

… Wasn’t that the whole point! I think. I thought the plan was to put him in a position that Izzy would have something _specifically _to hold against him! I am so confused.

“Izzy, is everything okay?… like you really seem more okay with this than I thought you would be. I mean, I’m glad things are okay between us, but I don’t want to overstep or anything. I feel like going to your home the day after is a bad idea.”

She takes my hand again. "Melissa, stop worrying. I asked you to do this and you did it because you are my best friend. I promise things will always be good between us. It doesn’t have to be awkward between you and Owen either. And just avoiding him won’t change that you slept with him. It doesn’t matter either. I won’t ask either of you to act differently around each other just because you guys have boned,” she chuckles rubbing the back of my hand with her pointer finger.

I smile at her but inside I am so stressed out. I might not have admitted it before, but I know Owen and I can get just a little 'flirty' with each other. The fact that Izzy seems adamant that nothing should change between us is frightening. I couldn’t imagine being as playful with Owen as I had been before, in front of Izzy. well, I can imagine it, but it looks rather strange and weirdly, makes me think that Izzy is imagining it in the exact same way.

“Please, just dinner? Maybe a few drinks. I promise it won't be awkward.” Izzy asks with puppy dog eyes.