Mitch’s wedding had only stirred up fresh frustrations, fresh desires.And yes, Ryan and the others had encouraged him to wait until he knew for sure where Gen stood with God, but he didn’t want to wait.It had already been too long.And, as Mitch and Britta had declared, life was short.And what if he missed his second chance with Gen because he was so busy waiting for her to find God?He didn’t want to miss out on her again.Too much time had already been wasted.
A cough drew his attention to a man striding past, dragons tattooed on his arms.He reminded Kyle of Ryan’s wife Sylvie.Ryan had admitted that she was the reason he had urged caution, their relationship starting when Ryan had assumed Sylvie was a Christian, only to discover later that she wasn’t following Jesus.
“You don’t want to get entangled with someone who isn’t a believer,” Ryan had said to Kyle, during a quiet moment at the reception.“It’s too hard when you want different things, and there’s always a push-pull of different motives and values.She got saved, praise the Lord, but it was only by God’s grace that we were able to get to our wedding unscathed.”
Well, good for him, but Kyle knew he couldn’t say the same for himself.And that was another way this was right.He and Gen had got things wrong, but getting married now would be like finally making things right.It didn’t have to be a mistake any longer.Not that they’d known any better, back in the day.It was normal, what everybody did, except religious types.But now he could see how messing around physically set up challenges in the future.Wondering.Imagining.Struggling to control his thoughts.
He exhaled.It would all be a lot simpler if he could just marry her and show her how he really felt.
His arm was nudged by his female seat companion.“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”He yawned, still feigning weariness.Which wasn’t exactly faked.He was weary of this push and pull, this need for restraint, for caution.He wanted things resolved.Now.For Gen to come to her senses and realize she needed Kyle back in her life.Full time.And they could continue where they’d left things ten years ago.
An internal ping reminded him again of Ryan’s warning.He ignored it, squashed it down.God wanted Kyle to be happy, right?And being with Gen would make Kyle happy.Even if it meant his parents and her mom would not be.But still, this was his life.His and Gen’s.And after all they’d gone through, they deserved to be happy.And God must actually want them together, because why else, after all this time, would God have brought them into each other’s orbits?See?It was proof that God wanted them together.He wouldn’t bring them together if it was a no.
Which meant it had to be a yes.
He shifted, folding his arms across his chest, smiling as he thought about Gen.
Smiling at him with tease.Her scent that pulled at all his senses.The first time he’d kissed her.The dreamy look in her eyes and her whispers that made him feel like he was king of the world.The softness of her skin…
His thoughts whirled, tumbling into other places, and again he sensed he should back away.Stirring up memories would only lead to more heartache if things didn’t work out.
But another part of him longed to revisit each memory.To savor the sweetness of regret.To linger in longing, to relive each kiss, and that night—
“Ladies and gentlemen we are beginning our descent.Please stow your trays and belongings and fasten your seatbelts.”
His heart thudded painfully.Not long now.She’d agreed to be friends.Now it was time to see if she was willing to take that next step with him and be more.
“Wow.”He pushed to his feet at the restaurant table as Gen drew close.The long black dress she wore was simple but effective, gently accentuating her curves.He was so used to seeing her in scrubs or jeans and a blouse he’d almost forgotten how stunning she could appear when dressed up.Her hair tumbled down around her shoulders, her long bangs holding reddish-bronze lights.“You look beautiful.”
She bit her lip.“I wasn’t sure how dressy this place was.And now I look more dressed up than everyone.”
He wished he’d thought to wear something nicer than his jeans and nice shirt.At least he’d left his ball cap at home.“I think you’ve just made everyone else wish they’d tried a little harder.Not that they could compete.You’re the prettiest by far.”
Her lips curved halfway as she slipped into her seat opposite him at the square marble table.“I didn’t realize this was a competition.”
He chuckled, nodding to a passing waiter.“There’s no competition.You win, every time.”He admired her blush then turned to the waiter.“Could we have two waters, please?”
“Certainly, sir.”
Kyle placed his hand on the table, willing her to hold it, but she shifted hers back to rest in her lap.Okay.So she wasn’t ready for hand-holding in public just yet.“So, how was your day?”
Her hair glinted as she shrugged.“It was okay.Nothing special.When I get Sundays off I play catch-up on all the things I haven’t had a chance to do during the week.”
Again he felt that urge to ask her about God, to see if maybe she’d like to come to church with him sometime.Again he ignored it.
“I’m glad you found the time to have a meal with me.”
“Well, you sounded so needy I thought I’d better.”
He grinned.“We’re getting sassy now, huh?”
“Is it sass when it’s the truth?”
“And you’ve always told the truth, haven’t you?”
Her gaze faltered, and she wet her bottom lip.
