I need to focus on my career, and as a member of this church, Romilly is probably just as judgy as the rest of them. She’ll want even less to do with me once she learns more about me.
Yet, her hooded eyes and the way she keeps leaning toward me say different. And there’s something clearly magnetic between us, something strong enough to make me think she might just be playing hard-to-get, so I might have to ignore my better judgement here.
I lower my voice a notch, letting the charisma I was raised with seep into my tone. “If you let me take you on one date, not only will I attend church next Sunday, but I’llcontinueattending the men's breakfast. And I'll also let you answer all my aching questions as a newcomer to your church.”No need to let her know you’ll be out of here as soon as you win your fight.
She stares at me, pondering, and at first I think she's going to tell me to get lost, but then I see it. The barest hint of a smile. The slightest twitching of her mouth. “Fine. One cup of coffee,” she says, and then winces, closing her eyes and shaking her head a little. “I mean…I would love to have coffee with you, Bash." Her voice is saccharine, almost too sweet, and it wraps around my name in a way that makes my body feel warm and light.
“Great.” I flash a grin, ever the smooth gentleman. "Then here's my number." I hand her the pamphlet I received at the beginning of service, scribbled on with doodles.
She frowns at it. "Is that…a zebra?" She rotates the paper to gauge the drawing from a new angle.
"It is." I point to myself. "Penned by yours truly."
She laughs, the sound unmistakably instinctual. And then she clamps her mouth shut like she's worried she’s offended me. But her lips remain upturned. "It's very good.”
"And right there is my phone number." I reach over and point to the top corner of the page. My face is closer to hers with me leaning over the paper like this, and I can smell the lavender and honey perfume of her hair. Of her skin. It must be her body wash.
“Wow, you sure had that ready to go, didn’t you?” A funny expression crosses her face. "Do you…write your phone number on the program every time you come to church?"
My face heats with embarrassment, but I try to hide it. “Of course not.”
She narrows her eyes, but her lips form a thin smile. "I'll see you tomorrow afternoon. For coffee."
"Where should I pick you up?"
"I'll text you the place to meet me. Now that I have your phone number." She waves the paper in the air like a tiny flag. "Bring your Bible," she adds before walking away.
“I don’t have a Bible.” At least, not here in Meadow Hills. It’s still back in Australia. But she’s already gone, off to greet someone else, and I’m left staring after her, once again.
Chapter Four
ROMILLY
Before I leave church,I find my family to hug them goodbye.
“You sang so beautifully, honey,” my mom says, smoothing my hair back. “But you look exhausted. Are you getting enough sleep?”
“Of course. I’m fine.” I smile at her and my dad, who wraps his arm around her waist.
Aiden gives me a fist bump instead of a hug, probably because of the game he’s streaming on his phone in his other hand. One he can’t take his eyes off. I remember how annoyed our parents were when he first took up the gaming hobby, but when checks started coming in the mail, they couldn’t deny how impressed they were at what he was making for a high schooler.
Last, I give Zara a tight squeeze. “I’ll see you soon. Let’s have another sleepover.”
She nods. “We gotta get them in while we can.”
“Stop reminding me you’re leaving for college. It’s not like you’re going tomorrow. We have ayear.”
She laughs.
I head to my car and get in. I’m about to put it in reverse when Logan Henry knocks on the passenger window.
Smiling, I roll it down and wave at him. As angry as the majority of men make me, I can’t help but feel a soft spot toward Logan. Maybe it’s because he’s like a brother to me, but I feel like if there were such a thing as a trustworthy man, it would have to be him.
Bash on the other hand? Everything about him so far screams “do not trust me.”
“I’m glad you got to meet Sebastian,” he says, reading my mind. “I actually just finished looking at his car. The dude has a blown head gasket. Expensive to fix, but at least his car will still run for a while. He’s a real nice guy.”
“I’m sure he is.” My smile feels forced. If only Logan knew just how much Bash has been on my mind since I first bumped into him. And I didn’t even know his name then. It irritates me that I now have another detail about him to try to block out of my silly fantasies.
