I’m at work. A big project has come up.
?? Satan ??
Alexis, don’t avoid the question. This is embarrassing. He was a nice boy!
Margaret is coming for dinner, so I can’t have you over tonight.
You’ll have to come over tomorrow night.
I would ask her about her son, but you don’t want to come across as a hussy, Alexis.
Lexi
I can’t make it tomorrow night. I’m sorry.
?? Satan ??
Alexis, stop playing games and get your priorities straight. You’re letting that silly job take up so much of your time. You have responsibilities and commitments to your family.
Your father is a highly regarded man. He can’t attend events coming across as a fool simply because you can’t accept your calling from God.
I’d like to remind her Ronnie isn’t my father and that my priorities lie with my actual job, not her shitty husband. I want to point out to her that all the work they were having me do should cost them a pretty penny, but they won’t pay me a dime for it. Thoughts and prayers don’t pay the bills. She’d never leave me alone if I tried to say any of that to her, so I try to compromise.
Lexi
I will pick up the measurements at the church office when I can. Send me pictures of the arrangements, and I’ll design the custom tablecloth so it won’t clash. I have to go now.
“You good, Lex?” I put my phone down and smile at Sam. I’ve clearly missed something, and my phone is still buzzing in my lap. Thankfully, Sam just smiles back.
“I could pick you up tomorrow if that’s alright. It would be better than both of us being stuck in traffic in separate cars,” Barton suggests, and I’m surprised at the amount of words coming out together without him tripping over them. Good for him.
“You two figure it out,” Sam announces as he stands. “I’m going to grab my stuff. James, I’ll meet you downstairs. Lex, don’t let her get to you. Have fun at the mixer tonight.”
I watch Sam walk out the door, not waiting for any further responses. I’m too nervous to look at James, and he seems too nervous to talk to me. Guess I have to break the ice or neither of us will.
“Did you know about all of this during your Spider-Man deal at the boba place?” I try breaking the ice, but I know how brash that sounds and wish I could take it back the instant I say it. God, he’s pretty.
“Nope. I should have known something was up when Dani sent me over there.” He rubs the back of his neck and it makes his arms flex and my butterflies swarm again. “I was just here to drop off some prints and pick up a check.”
“Dani sent you there?” I could smack her. This was a perfect example of a Dani trap. Setting us up before without us even knowing.
“She said they had excellent coffee. She didn’t mention the incredible view, though.” He doesn’t say it with that cocky Los Angeles flair. Instead, he practically mumbles it. “I’m getting the feeling we’re kind of being…set up?”
I look up, and his sad, beautiful eyes lock on mine. Faint traces of hope dance on the edges, along with the soft beginnings of crow’s feet. I desperately need to hear him laugh, mostly to prove that he can.
“You’re an unwilling client of Dani’s matchmaking services, too, huh?”
“For the last five years, yeah.” He chuckles. Close, but not the laugh I wanted. Some of his sadness fades away briefly. “So, would it be okay to pick you up, or would you rather go separate?”
“I think I’m okay with carpooling, but Dani knows where we’re going, so if you end up being a mass murderer or some shit, just know that.” I can’t hold back the snorting giggle noise I make, but instead of looking at me like an idiot, he laughs.
“I’ll keep that in mind, but I’d make a terrible mass murderer.” He shrugs as he tucks a notebook into his satchel. “I’d probably apologize through the whole thing.”
I’m a sucker for self-deprecating humor when it’s done right. “Good to know. Uhm, here’s my number. I’ll text you the address.”
CHAPTER7
TONGUE TIED
