“Uh.”
“Probably morning would be best. My dad leads that one. Blake leads the evening service.” She taps her fingers together, excited. “I want to show you my workplace.”
I grip the steering wheel.
“And the sermon my dad has planned is so touching. He told me all about it.”
I sit back in the seat more. As casually as I can, I ask a questionI wish I didn’t have to.
“Hey Morgan. You, uh, you aren’t trying to convert me, right?”
Her spine straightens.
“No! Absolutely not.” She gives a toothy grin.
Shit.
Chapter 48
Jack
Once home, the crickets chirp as we walk up the driveway and enter the house.
Morganinsistson helping make dinner. I try like hell to get her to go relax. Watch TV. Lay down. Whatever. But she doesn’t. Her eyelids are heavy with exhaustion. The day ran over like it sometimes does. It’s late.
Yet, here she is, without her heels on in my house. Touching me every chance she gets. I even get to stare at her when she looks away. And I do.
A lot.
She isn’t the fantasy girl on my phone screen anymore. Fuck, this woman could be my future wife.
My chest warms, full and relaxed. That pesky sense of hope likes this a little too much.
As soon as we sit, she grabs my hand and Tommy’s. “Can we pray together?”
I tense.
Her eyes don’t meet mine. She’s probably afraid she’ll see the disgust on my face.
Faster than I can react, Noel grips my other hand.
I’m trapped.
She bows her head as though this is something we do every night. Like making believers is as simple — Just make them hold hands.
Honestly, I feel like an intruder in my own house.
She leads.
“Dear God. Thank you for this food, and for bringing us all under one roof.” She squeezes my hand tighter. “Amen.”
“Amen,” Noel echoes.
She beams. “See? Simple prayer.”
Forced prayer. But I don’t say anything, just bear it.
While we eat, Noel scrolls on his phone, his body rigid. Tommy makes a mess, as usual. I wipe his mouth. Morgan chews silently.
