“Thinking about Erykah?”
“Something like that.” Chris slid his hands into his pockets. With just that one question, all the thoughts he’d managed to ignore while focusing on Lamont came hurtling like a battering ram.
“Want to talk about it?”
Did he?Chris rubbed his chin, jolting at the smooth skin. He’d forgotten the clean shave he’d done for the wedding. “I feel like she’s pulling away, and I don’t know why. Is it grief? Something more?”
“Is she snapping at you, or has she gone silent?”
“Mostly silence. Sometimes I think my help has been more hurt.”
Skepticism drew Lamont’s brows downward. “How can that be true? Didn’t you say she started reading the Bible and seeking God?”
“Yes.”
“Then looks like you’re helping.” Lamont gave him a point-blank stare. “Remember that grief looks different on everyone. She may not be able to articulate what she needs from you. She’s been through so many changes since she met you.”
He was right. Chris had been so struck by her show of strength that he forgot that was sometimes another defense mechanism. Inside, she may be curling up ready to wave a white flag of surrender. “I should’ve known better,” Chris murmured.
Lamont arched an eyebrow, but before he could say anything, the photographer called out to them. She gestured for them to join Tuck, Piper, and Nevaeh at the arbor. Lamont took his place next to his fiancée and Chris stood at the end of the happy couples. When the photographer said, “Cheese,” Chris pasted on the brightest smile he could manage.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he itched to check it. Was it Erykah? A YouTube notification? Did Cameron need something back at the center? Whatever it was would have to wait until his cheeks could resume their normal position on his face.
Assoon as they were excused from pictures and allowed to head to the reception, Chris had his phone out, scanning the many text messages.
Erykah
A polar bear’s hair is not white. It’s colorless.
Erykah
A chameleon’s tongue is as long as its body.
Erykah
The lion has the loudest roar.
Erykah
Water bears exist.
He laughed at that last one. Why was Erykah texting him random animal facts?
Chris
Are you looking up animal facts for Cheye?
Erykah
No. She actually asked me to text you them. She found Wild Kratts on streaming and has been glued to the screen. I’m thankful because she was complaining of being bored earlier.
That made sense. He didn’t think the good doctor suddenly cared about every animal on the planet. Though she liked to pretend she wasn’t curious, he’d seen her teaching Charlie tricks and taking interest in Chris’s own work.
Chris
Maybe read her one of the library books you checked out.
Erykah
