Page 59 of Mine to Worship

“I promise at the first sign of discomfort, I’ll tell you.” I add, meeting him halfway. My mom’s words ring in my head. Compromises are the foundation of a healthy relationship.

“I trust you,” Kian replies.

Brandon gets in the car with us, and they talk about the opening of a new hotel. My attention is piqued whenever Brandon mentions Mikaela, and he does, a lot, like every other sentence.

“I thought she was your executive assistant, not a bulldog.”

“Let her do her job,” Kian tells him.

“That woman has no life outside of work, but I do. I swear she sensed I wanted to go out one night. She came into my office, and we had to go through every document I signed in your absence. It took me hours.”

“She can’t be that bad.” I try to comfort him.

After a twenty-minute drive into town, we reach the bowling alley, and my excitement is out of control. Long, narrow, polished lanes line open in front of me and at the end, ten aligned pins coax me to strike them.

Ten minutes into the game, I am leading.

“I wasn’t aware you could play this well,” Kian says, pleasant surprise in his voice.

“When I was younger, my dad and I always did donuts and bowling.”

There is a certain easiness floating around us, invisible bubbles filled with a good vibe.

I sit next to Tara as we wait for our turn.

“I am sure you miss painting,” Tara says.

“I do, but the last couple weeks have been crazy. I’ve been drawing in pencil, him, us, my belly, nothing abstract.”

“It never gets old, him looking at you.”

I lift my chin, and my skin prickles with the intensity I catch in his gray eyes.

“What about you and Kendrick?” I ask.

“We’re just friends.” She sighs. I grab her hand and squeeze it in understanding. She hasn’t opened up to anyone since her asshole of an ex-boyfriend cheated on her.

“Have you decided when you’re coming back?” Tara asks.

“No. I like this time when it’s just the two of us, but I will come back, for the gallery, and to press charges against Robert.”

“It’s the right thing to do. That pig deserves it, and I am sure you’re not the only victim. These sexual predators don’t stop at one. Plus, Kian has put the best lawyer on the case, that creep will get what he deserves.”

Aubrey drops down next to us.

“You’re next. Go show them how to play.”

I stand up and when I put my fingers into the three holes of the bowling ball, Kian’s hands come around me.

“It won’t work. And that’s cheating, husband.”

He brushes his nose against my neck, inhaling, making my knees weak. “Why? Am I distracting you, wife?” His voice turns raspy, and goosebumps scatter on my skin––my body and heart always reacting to him.

“I can do the same when it’s your turn.”

“I wouldn’t mind.”

I bite down on my lower lip and balance the ball as I lower my weight on my knee.

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