Page 108 of Penance
Heat floods my veins. I love this man more than I ever thought possible.
“Come on, you flirt, we have to go.” I smack his chest, and he laughs, letting me go.
Five minutes later, we are at the church. Several women stand around outside, and I recognize them as the Birdies.
“Think they are planning something big?” I ask Theo, and he winks.
“There’s no telling with those women. They scare me a little bit.”
I throw my head back, laughter spilling out freely. The group of women look our way, smiles lighting up their faces. As we draw closer, Abigail separates herself from the group.
“Lily, do you have a moment, dear? We would like to speak to you.”
Looking up at Theo, he offers an encouraging smile and leans to whisper in my ear. “I’ll be inside if you need me.”
I watch him go, unable to pull my eyes away until the door closes behind him. Then I turn back to Abigail.
“Of course. What can I help you with?”
The other women step up, crowding around her, and suddenly, I’m a little nervous. My hand reaches up more out of habit than anything, and then it falls back to my side when I realize my necklace is no longer there.
“As you know, we have been deliberating over the applications for the Birdies. It was a tough decision, but we would like to officially welcome you to the organization.”
My mouth falls open, tears springing to my eyes.
“But I—thought I was too cold.”
Della Rae smiles, lighting up her face when she answers. “It was never that, Lily. We’ve always been able to see your warmth, but you needed a reason to see it yourself. And I think you found that reason.”
Her eyes slice to where Theo disappeared into the church, and I can’t help but smile too. “You’re right. I did.”
And along the way, I realized that love was never a penance I had to pay, but a beauty I get to experience.
