“Oh! Morgan. Gabe! I watch your livestream every Saturday.”
We thank her for her viewership.
“Will you be back this week?” she asks Gabe.
He stands and smiles. “Yes, I was ill but feel better.”
Yes. That one word I didn’t give. Another something he took.
I force a smile, but tell myself to strategize later.
“Picture, please?” She has another customer take a photo of the three of us, and I have to stand there and smile like everything is fine.
The familiar acidic taste creeps up my throat and burns my tongue.
I excuse myself and wave at them as I am expected to.
When I get back to the church, I check my social media. The girl posted the picture and tagged us, memorializing a moment I don’t want to remember.
I close my feed.
A text pops up, and I gasp. With my jaw hanging open, I stare.
Jack Killborne:WTF? THAT GUY???
Chapter 12
Morgan
My hands shake as I clutch my phone. Jack finally contacted me. It’s been weeks. I pace down the pews in one of our service halls. Stained glass casts fractured color across the space.
“What do I say?” I whisper.
I want to reply but don’t know how. Ingrid thought I was being too desperate. I should wait a day.
No, I’m not supposed to talk to him. Remember, Morgan? I can’t be with him.
“He’s just concerned about my safety,” I argue with myself.
My feet stop moving.
Oh my gosh. Maybe... maybe he checks my posts. The thought thrills and terrifies me.
My phone vibrates, and I nearly drop it.
Jack Killborne:MORGAN REPLY
Me:(typing bubble)
I start and stop several times.
Backspace.
I’m so nervous.
The phone rings.
Oh my gosh!
