Page 17 of The Love of Priest

ChapterEight

For third night that week,Priest sat before Britain allowing her to delve into the depths of his life.The way he told his story was almost as if he were narrating someone else's life. He was just so disconnected from his past. Britain was taken aback by how many trials and tribulations he faced during his upbringing.

Priest found her animated facial expressions amusing.When she didn't agree with one of his choices, she would scrunch her face up. If she found awe in a moment, her eyes would glisten. If she was angered by something, her brows would scrunch together.

This time around, Britain was studying Priest. His gesticulations, the way his face contorted when he got to tell her things that disturbed his peace, and his tone. She took note of it all in her journal.

Priest let a sigh escape his lips as he took a glance around the diner. They were the only two left in the restaurant, which had become a usual occurrence for them since Priest always set the time to meet up at eight in the evening. Britain was no longer late since she was much more comfortable. However, she had been losing a lot more sleep due to her nightly outings with Priest.

"I think they're closing, Britain," Priest stated as he watched their usual waitress stack the chairs on top of the tables.

Britain jerked her head up from jotting things down in her journal to take a look around as well. She hadn't even noticed they were the last two in the diner. Her cheeks heated sheepishly as she faced Priest, who had a light smile on his face.

"I didn't even notice," she told him before sliding out of the booth. This time around, the two strayed away from ordering any food. Instead, they both satiated their sweets cravings by ordering milkshakes. Priest had a classic vanilla shake, while Britain had birthday cake.

"Same time tomorrow?" Priest raised a brow as he pulled money from his pocket, leaving an outstanding tip for the waitress like he'd been doing for the past two days.

Britain looked up at him. "Actually, I was hoping to hear more."

"The diner is closing," he reminded her with a light laugh before holding the door open for her to exit the restaurant before him.

Britain shrugged. "C'mon, it's New York. There are tons of places that are open until the next day," Britain attempted to convince him to stay out late as she glanced down at her watch. It was only eleven in the evening.

The night winds picked up rather quickly, causing Priest to shove his hands into the pocket of his Nike hoodie. "Weren't you the one complaining that you've barely gotten any sleep in the past three days?" He peered down at her with a comical smirk playing on his face. Britain rolled her eyes dramatically with a wave of her hand as if she were dismissing him.

"Let me worry about my fucked-up sleep schedule."

Priest nodded. "Alright then. Where to?"

"Just follow me." She laughed lightly while getting into her vehicle.

Priest stood at the curb where both he and Britain's cars were parked. He eyed her as she started her vehicle, waiting for him to get into his and do the same. A short chortle escaped his lips while he simply shook his head at her. Lightly, she tapped the center of her steering wheel, producing a light honk of her horn. Her tinted window descended, and she craned her head out of it.

"You stuck or something?" she asked.

Priest shook his head. "Nah. Where you taking me?"

"For you to be the one packing here," she pointed to the concealed weapon in the waistband of his jeans. "You sure do seem wary."

Priest chuckled. "I ain't wary of nothing. I’m just making sure you ain't tryna knock me off," Priest said as he began making his way to his car parked behind Britain's.

Britain found him comical. She accelerated her vehicle with a small laugh. Britain, who was never one to stay out too late, truly had nowhere else to go aside from home. She knew she was taking a risk by bringing Priest to her apartment, especially since he wasn't trusting of anyone, but she was going to push the envelope with this one. Her apartment was only a few minutes away, and they arrived in no time. Britain parked her car, and Priest did the same. Priest rolled his window down slightly, sticking his head out of it.

"This your place?” he asked while Britain got out of her car. She now had a backpack hanging from her shoulders while her keys were in her hands.

"Sure is. It's safe. No need to take your piece of safety," Britain jested while making her way to her apartment door. She could hear Priest close his door and lock up his car before his footsteps tracked behind her. Her breath hitched once Priest's left hand fell gently upon the left side of her waist. She was distracted from finding her apartment key to get in, and Priest noticed. Amused by her sudden timidness, he pushed his luck and placed both hands on her waist.

Britain was sure he was getting a kick out of this, so she focused less on the fact that this was the closest Priest had ever been to her and more on unlocking her front door. The tumbler of the locks sounded off before Britain pushed the door open so they could enter.

"Welcome to my lovely abode." Britain smiled while gesturing her arms in a welcoming manner.

Priest laughed at her welcome as he stepped into the apartment completely, shutting and locking the door behind him. "It's nice. You have a good eye for design," he complimented her decor that was much brighter than he would have gone for with the different shades of taupe, yellow, and brown.

"Thank you. I like my place to be vibrant," she said to him as she slipped out of her Nike Dunks. "Feel free to take a seat wherever you like except my favorite spot." She pointed at the single-seated sofa that was big enough for her to lay in comfortably and angled perfectly for the television.

"Is it cool if I go take a shower? The air conditioning in my mom's clinic went out today, so I feel icky," she explained with a revolting expression etched on her face.

Priest nodded as he defiantly took a seat in her favorite spot, earning an evil eye from Britain. "Go ahead."

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