Page 60 of Second Chance Fate

“There’s no universal rule about alcohol in Christianity. Some denominations have strict guidelines about alcohol and, well,a lotof things. But that’s more about religion than a relationship with God. I believe it’s a personal choice.”

“And what is your personal choice?” she asked.

“I believe that it’s fine in moderation, as long as it doesn’t negatively impact your life or others, and you’re not using it as an escape or a way to numb or not face emotions. Basically, if it is unhealthy in any way.”

“Oh, well, if that’s the definition, then I guess my relationship with ice cream is a sin.”

Caleb couldn’t help but smile as he opened his fridge and grabbed a Pinot Grigio he’d been gifted and then grabbed a Merlot from the rack on the counter. “Red or white?”

“White, please.”

Caleb poured her a glass and delivered it to her, then plated her dinner and served her. He’d made chicken with rice and veggies. He synced his Spotify easy listening playlist to his Bluetooth speaker and made his own plate. By the time he sat down, he was happy to see she’d already started eating.

Her eyes were closed as she chewed. The noises she made were what he’d heard described as a foodgasm.

Once she swallowed, she took a sip of wine and exhaled as she cut into her next bite. “This issogood. And I’m not just saying that because I’ve been eating hospital food for the past ten days,” she qualified as she brought her fork loaded with chicken to her mouth, closed her eyes, and moaned as the clean prongs slowly slid out between her lips.

He was happy to see her eating with such enthusiasm. His brain knew that the sounds she was making were food-related pleasure; unfortunately, his dick was not as discerning. His jeans were getting uncomfortably snug to the point that if he had to stand and grab anything from the kitchen, it would prove embarrassing.

Caleb shifted in his seat when his watch vibrated and he saw that it was a message from his mom, which was the equivalent of a cold shower. He opened the text and selected a quick reply.

“Is everything okay?” Taylor asked.

“Yeah, it’s my mom. She was asking how you are.” He pressed send and looked back up at Taylor as her eyes widened.

“Oh…does she know about?—”

“No,” he assured her. “My parents know that Owen’s been staying here and that you passed out at the book club and were in the hospital. My mom knew about that happening before Owen and I got home from the emergency room the night you were admitted. They’ve been checking in every day to see how you are and how Owen is. They’ve both met him, actually, duringBingo. I didn’t know that, but they told me when they found out he was staying here. But they don’t know our history, that he’s my son, or that we’re married.”

She nodded and looked down at her meal, pushing her chicken around on her plate as she questioned, “Does anyone know that…any of that?”

“Josh does.”

“Josh?” Her eyes flew up to meet his. “Audrey’sJosh?”

Caleb could hear the panic in Taylor’s voice.

“He hasn’t said anything to anyone. Not even Audrey.” At least Caleb didn’t think he had. He hadn’t come right out and asked him, but he knew Josh better than just about anyone, and he didn’t think he would tell anyone, even his wife, without running it by Caleb first. “He figured it out right before we got the call that you were in the hospital. He was there, in Daytona, and he recognized you at the coffee shop. He mentioned that you reminded him of the girl from that weekend, Rebecca. Then, as he was telling me that, it dawned on him that Audrey said your first name was Rebecca, but you go by Taylor. Then he looked up and saw Owen shoot the basketball with the same stance, technique, and swagger that I have,” he teased, hoping to lighten the mood a little. “He watched as Owen sank the ball, then cracked the knuckles on his middle fingers with his thumbs.”

“…with his thumbs,” she said at the same time as him.

Taylor nodded as she lifted the glass of wine and drained half of it. This was the first time that the subject of our legal marriage had been discussed since we signed the paperwork in her hospital room. Caleb was still a little shocked that she’d said yes. He’d been wrestling with some guilt over it, feeling like he’d taken advantage of her when she was in a vulnerable state. He wanted to address his feelings, get them out in the open. He never wanted her to feel like he’d pressured her into something.

“I was going—” he began.

“I wanted to as—” she spoke at the same time.

“Go ahead,” he encouraged.

She shook her head. “No, please.”

“Ladies first, I insist.”

She licked her lips, and his eyes tracked her tongue as it slid along the seam of her mouth in slow motion. His mind was seeing everything Taylor did through a Pamela-Anderson-slow-mo-Baywatch-run-down-the-beach filter. His jeans once again grew snug. He needed to get a grip and stop his body from responding to her like a horny teenager. It didn’t feel right, even if she was his wife. It felt lecherous and wrong.

“I was just going to ask if you knew anything about the Angel’s Alliance. When Daisy came in today with my discharge papers, they said that Angel’s Alliance had taken care of my hospital stay.”

He’d completely forgotten that Aurora had spoken to him and asked him to pass on a message. “Sorry, yes, I was supposed to speak to you about that. Do you know much about Angel’s Alliance?”

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