I want to run to my car and hide. But years of pageants and philanthropy have taught me how to hide my thoughts and smile like I’m unbothered. “How kind. If you’ll excuse me, I’d better get going.”
I hand Marina to Perry, and Addison shakes her head at me like she’s disappointed I’m not going to endure any more of her blatant match-making attempts.
As I hasten to the parking lot, the past few minutes replay in my head. It’s impossible not to let Addison’s implication affect me. Now I’m imagining what it would be like to date Bash, and it’s annoying how appealing the idea is to me. Especially since he’s the opposite of the kind of guy I’d typically go for—someone safe, reliable, and stable. And even men like that can’t be trusted.
But I know the problem isn’t Addison, it’s that with every interaction I have with Bash, the sturdy brick wall I put up just seems to keep crumbling.
Chapter Nine
BASH
I watchRomilly walk to her car from where I’m standing with Logan and the rest of the group. Romilly’s friend with the dimples—Addison—says something to me, but I’m barely paying attention. A man is now talking to Romilly in the parking lot, and she’s frowning.
My shoulders tense without my permission. I start forward toward them when Logan catches my arm. “Everything alright?”
“Do you think she’s okay? Do you know that man?”
“That man?” Perry follows the direction of my gaze. “You mean the pastor?”
I blink. “Oh. That’s the pastor?”
Addison covers her mouth with her hand like she’s trying not to laugh, and Romilly and the pastor walk toward us. As soon as she’s back within my vicinity, I ask her, “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” But she bites her lip and stares past me. I may not know her that well, but it’s clear she’s worried about something. The pastor isn’t far behind her, but he’s stuck in a conversation with someone else for the moment.
Gently, I place my hands on her shoulders but keep distance between us so she’s not uncomfortable. “Tell me.”
Romilly meets my gaze, debating.
“You do look stressed,” Addison says. I almost forgot she was here.
Romilly bites her lip. “Okay, fine. There’s been an emergency with the Sunday school teachers. They need to leave before the next service, so I’m going to stay and help out. I just need to find another volunteer to join me.”
Perry tilts his head slightly, lips pressed knowingly into a thin line. “It was my kids, wasn’t it? They caused the emergency.”
“Sorry, Perry.” Romilly winces. “I think Enzo and Abel might be getting sick. They just threw up on the volunteers, who now want to go home and get cleaned up.”
Addison’s mouth falls open, and Perry runs an exasperated hand down his face. “I’ll go get them.” Then, turning to Addison, he says, “Will you meet me at the car?”
“Of course.” Addison sighs. “See you later, Rom. Sorry you have to stay and help fix this mess.” She lifts Marina’s car seat and starts walking to her car. Perry heads the opposite direction, toward the main building.
Romilly turns to Logan, placing her hand on his arm gently. An unexpected frenzy of jealousy takes hold of me when she touches him.Get a grip, Bash. She’s your boss, and she’s made it clear she’s not interested in you.
“Are you available to help with the kids’ class next service?” she asks him.
He winces and checks the time on his phone. “I would if I didn’t have to head to work.”
“It’s okay, I totally understand.” She gives him a hug before he leaves, but the disappointment in the way her shoulders are drooping is impossible to miss.
I don’t know how anyone turns her down. I can’t explain the pull I feel towards her, or how that frown on her face wouldmake me call in sick just to make it disappear. But then again, if I actually called in sick, it would be from my job withher.
“I’ll do it.” The words fly out of my mouth just as the pastor approaches.
Romilly shakes her head. “It’s fine, Bash. I can just do it alone.” Turning to the pastor, she asks, “Can we make an exception for today, Mason?”
He winces. “Unfortunately, no. We’d still need one more adult. There’s a teacher-to-child ratio that has to be followed, so you can’t take on all those kids alone.”
With a smirk, I cross my arms. “Like I said, I’m available.”
