I wasn’t prepared for any of it to hit. But it did. And it hit low.
Love. Self-respect. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt either. I drank like I was trying to forget. Fucked like I was trying to disappear. And now here I was—sober, alone, empty. Watching strangers live clean, purposeful lives while mine felt like a cautionary tale.
I glanced at Nick. His cheekbones looked too good for church. Sculpted. Sharp. He stared ahead like this whole thing mattered to him. And suddenly, all I could think about was kissing him. The thought snapped through me like a live wire. My thighs clenched under the weight of it.
God, it had been so long. So long since I’d had someone’s hands on me. So long since sex wasn’t just a distraction or a punishment, I wanted to remember what it felt like. I wanted Nick. Inside me. On me. Jesus, Mel, get it together. You’re in a fucking church and all you can think about is dick.
Maybe he really should say a prayer for me.
I looked down at my phone, hidden in my lap. An hour had already passed. And even though the preacher had me thinking—maybe too much—I was done. My body was buzzing. My blood sugar probably wasn’t great. I leaned in to whisper.
“I’m going to use the restroom.”
Nick nodded, chill as ever. I stood and instantly felt every eye on me—faces turning, heads shifting. The judgment burned. Their gazes dropped to my chest, then back up like I was a walking offense. I instinctively tugged my jacket tighter and walked faster, heels clicking like gunshots on the floor.
Outside the sanctuary, I scanned the hall. Spotted the “Restrooms” sign and headed that way, pushing through the bathroom door like I owned it.
Voices. Girls chatting in the stalls like it was a sleepover. I leaned against the wall, jaw locked, waiting. There were only two stalls.
“I heard rumors, but I didn’t know that he actually married her. She looks like a total slut.”
“That war must have messed him up good.”
“Did you see what she was wearing? I mean, can’t she tuck those things away for church at least?”
“Seriously, she’s probably one of those attention whores. I found her Instagram account, and it’s a bunch of selfies of her flaunting her body half-naked.”
“She’ll probably cheat on him before they even make it to a year.”
“Since I’ve never seen her around, I googled her, and she’s from California. She used to be a child actress but hasn’t acted in years. She did some promo thing for a weight loss company years back, but that’s it. So my guess is he married her for the money. Her dad is a freaking film producer in Hollywood so they have to be loaded.”
“Oh, that would make more sense then. He would not marry a girl like that unless there was some motive. She definitely loves attention having her boobs hang out like that at church. I’m embarrassed for Nick.”
Flush. Flush. Stall doors flew open.
The tall blonde was all legs and poison. The other one looked like she’d never said a mean thing in her life—until now. Her face drained when she saw me. Pale. Ashy. Guilty.
“Please don’t let me stop your wonderful conversation. I didn’t know I was the talk of the town. And my dad is loaded. Our living room is probably bigger than your whole house. So I can see why you would be jealous.”
The blonde scoffed, pushing past me like I was trash. “Please, why would I be jealous? One thing I have that you don’t is morals. You’re just another Paris Hilton in the making.”
She turned the faucet on like it was a mic drop. Her friend followed.
“I bet you have a tiny dog too.” They giggled—soft, vicious. I stared daggers into their backs so hard I could feel my own blood boil.
“Laugh all you want, but I’m not new to the mean girls club. In fact, I invented it. So I can see right through your bullshit. And while you’re over here talking crap, I’m at home fucking the hottest guy in town, and the one that’s probably fucked and ducked you. So if you want to call me a slut, go right ahead, just have the balls enough to say it to my face.”
I stepped closer, fists clenched so tight my nails bit into my palms. I wanted to swing. So bad. But this was church. Fucking church.
Now face-to-face with Blondie, I leaned in, voice low and lethal.
“The next time I hear you talking crap about me, I’ll find your little small-dicked boyfriend and fuck him stupid.”
Her eyes shot wide open. Her friend gasped, covering her mouth like a cartoon character.
“That goes for you too, shorty.”
I turned, hand already on the door.
