Page 140 of The Love of Priest

"You're taking her to the Liberty Gala knowing Paula will be there?" Kenya asked, raising a brow at Priest.

Kenya had known Priest for a while. She had actually met Priest through Paula while she was on the come up to become a well-known stylist. She had done some creative directing work for Paula's photoshoots and campaigns, and they had become good friends.

Priest really found no conflict of interest when it came to hiring Kenya for her services long after he and Paula had come to a screeching halt. It was her job to style people, and he just so happened to be interested in her services. Whenever Kenya and Priest were around each other, they never really spoke about Paula, but today was different. Britain was the first woman after Paula to receive the attention and treatment Paula had gotten. It was clear as day that there was something special going on between Britain and Priest.

Priest glanced at Kenya, who was awaiting a response. He screwed up his face at her question. "Kenya, you got shit fucked up in your mind to think you can question me about where I take my shorty. Me and Paula's situation been dead." Priest turned his lip up at her, setting her straight.

With the Liberty Gala being a night to not only show up as the best dressed, but also contribute to different causes, Paula had fit into the itinerary of the night for the past two years. She was a leading advocate for stopping gun violence because she had been a victim to it with the harsh demise of her husband. She was using her pain as a battered widow and channeling it to fight for change. From what Priest heard, Paula was legit, but he still couldn't shake the fact that she would always be a snake in his eyes.

Kenya cleared her throat, slightly embarrassed at the fact that she overstepped her boundaries. "My bad," she apologized in a light voice.

Before Priest could respond to her, Britain came out of one of the rooms wearing the gown. She made her way down the hall to the living room where everyone was awaiting her entrance.Priest couldn't contain the smile that formed on his face at the sight of her in the gown with her hair pulled back and little to no makeup on. The navy-blue gown fit Britain's body nicely. Even the pair of socks she was wearing instead of heels looked great on her. Priest licked his lips before his eyes trailed back up to lock with hers.

"You feeling it?" he asked, just as he had with the others she tried on.

Britain gazed down at the gown before trailing her head back up with a satisfied smile. "I love it," she gushed.

Kenya clapped in excitement for Britain before making her way over to her. "Great. I'll just stitch it in more at the waist and the bust so it will fit your measurements perfectly," she advised Britain, who simply nodded.

Kenya went over a few things with Britain before wrapping up and leaving. Priest had ushered Kenya and her team to the elevator to make their way down. Britain was still getting dressed in her original clothes.Priest navigated through the penthouse, entering his bedroom where Britain was pulling her shirt over her head. The expression on her face had digressed from the excitement she had shared over the gown she had chosen for the Liberty Gala.

"What's up?" Priest asked as he took a seat on the bed in front of her.

"Why did she mention Paula?" Britain asked Priest, cutting straight to the chase.

Priest let out a sigh. "You heard that?" He hiked his brow up questioningly.

Britain nodded. "For future reference, your penthouse may be lavish and beautiful, but the walls are pretty thin in here," she enlightened him with her arms folded across her chest.

Priest ran a hand down his face. "It was nothing,Gioia," he assured. "Kenya's a friend of Paula, and she just asked whether I was bringing you to the Gala knowing Paula will be there," Priest explained.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" She transitioned her right hand to her hip as she questioned him with a stern eye.

Priest smacked his lips. "I'm no liar, especially when it comes to trust," he asserted. "Don't question me about Paula anymore because I explained to you what transpired between her and I. I'm not doubling back."

Britain hated that she had yet another weak moment in Priest’s eyes. "I'm sorry," she apologized with deep sorrow webbing her eyes.

Priest shook his head. "It's cool. It's not your fault," Priest assured her as he opened his arms to her.

"I love you," she murmured sheepishly as he wrapped his arms around her.

Priest chuckled at how childish her voice sounded. "I love you too." He smirked up at her. "You don't got a thing to worry about when it comes to me. You got my word." He placed his right hand over his heart, sealing the promise to her.

ChapterThirty-Six

Britain feltPriest's body press against hers as she stood in the kitchen. With hopes of distracting her busy mind, Britain thought it would be perfect to just cook. Being in the kitchen with a little wine and good music always cleared her mind and alleviated her of the heavy weight of the day.Britain swooned as she felt her lips tug into a smile. She was so proud of Priest for how he was handling the day. He wasn't pressuring her to concede to the normal ways of grieving. Plus, he was allowing her all the space she needed. She thought spending today with Priest would’ve been extremely hard since he liked to be upfront and confrontational about any and everything. She didn't need that side of him at the moment, and he understood that. She was leading the day and leading the pace of it.If Britain wanted silence, then that was what he gave her. If she wanted to laugh and act like nothing was bothering her, he gave her that too.

"You willing to learn today?" she asked him.

Priest craned down, applying a kiss to her cheek. "Yeah, teach me everything you know," he smirked.

Britain chuckled as she sat the knife down on the cutting board next to the half-chopped vegetables. Her sitting the knife down indicated that Priest needed to pick it up. She maneuvered out of the way to stand beside him.

"Get to chopping, sous chef."

Priest picked up the knife and began chopping the onions and peppers. Beside him, he heard Britain snicker, which caused him to stop. "What?" He eyed her with a slight mean mug.

"P, that's not how you chop and mince vegetables. You look so stiff."

---