Page 197 of Sing with Me

Emmeline nodded. She made her way to the kitchen pantry where she retrieved two flashlights and a lantern.

Diehl realized he was still holding Skye’s hand.

“Thanks for the invitation. I think I’ll stay the night,” Diehl said.

In the dim light, with her hair down, she leaned against his shoulder. He wasn’t sure why she did that, but he liked the proximity.

Skye’s phone rang. “Avery. I have to take this call.”

She left the living room, but turned back. “Diehl, better check the dryer and hang up your clothes so they aren’t wrinkled in the morning.”

Diehl liked to hear Skye call his name.

When he returned from the dryer alcove, his phone in front of him as a flashlight, Sebastian had placed a pillow and a folded blanket on the couch.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Sebastian handed him a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste, both still in their boxes. “I have a cot that might be more comfortable. It’s longer.”

“No need to go through all the trouble. It’s only for one night. Thank you for having me here. Saved me money for a hotel.”

“Wait till you eat his waffles.” Emmeline walked by. “No five-star restaurant can top them.”

“She says that because she’s my wife.” Sebastian kissed her in front of Diehl.

It made Diehl long for his own.

Speaking of whom, he didn’t see Skye anywhere.

Is Skye mine, though?

“Since you’re on the couch, Skye is in the guest room, so you might want to take turns with her to use the bathroom. Her room is past the washer and dryer,” Emmeline said. “She’s in there right now chatting with Avery. It could be a while.”

“I’ll just brush my teeth at the kitchen sink, if you don’t mind,” Diehl said.

“Not at all. Let me know if you need anything else.” Emmeline smiled.

She had a warm smile, a quiet voice, and a pleasant attitude. Diehl wondered how she ended up being a rent-a-girlfriend for Sebastian. It showed that sometimes it was impossible to know people just by how they looked.

After brushing his teeth, Diehl settled down in the dark living room. He propped up the pillow to one side of the couch such that he faced the window. He had slept on couches at the office, so it wasn’t like he couldn’t get comfortable.

Outside he could still hear distant car alarms, but thankfully not from the parking lot outside this side of the building.

Ever so often the dark sky would light up with flashes of lightning in the midst of the pouring rain. It was a great idea to wait until morning.

He texted his parents to tell them about the electrical storm. He told them that he’d drive home in about six or seven hours. And no, he wouldn’t miss the meeting with Riley at nine in the morning. If he had to, he’d call in remote.

He pulled the blanket over his entire body. It was a long blanket, longer than his six-foot-two frame. Sebastian was taller than he was by an inch or two, so this blanket was probably his.

He swiped his phone to his Bible app and read a few Psalms. The week before, he had been camping out in Galatians, but today, he knew he’d fallen behind in his Bible reading to keep up with the Monday Morning Men’s Bible Study Group. He wondered when he might return to St. Simon’s Island.

As soon as possible, he prayed.

He had been away from Seaside Chapel for a week, and on Sunday, he’d probably end up at Midtown Chapel—unless he livestreamed the sermon from Seaside Chapel.

Diehl texted Skye to wish her goodnight. He was closing his eyes to get some sleep when the screen flashed.

Skye: Sorry about my brother. He likes to tell stories.

Diehl: About Thaddeus? Did he give you your first kiss?

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