“I didn’t hear my phone buzz.”
Joey’s phone rang and he yanked it from his pocket. “One of my parishioners. I need to take this in private.”
“You can take it upstairs in my bedroom.”
Evangeline cringed. The guy was clingy enough. No need to send him in there. As he bounded up the stairs, Evangeline went to grab her phone from her handbag. When she couldn’t find it, she wondered if she’d left it in the back seat of Sin’s car.
Rather than return to the kitchen, Evangeline started upstairs to use the bathroom. On the way up, she heard Joey speaking in hushed tones and stilled on the step.
“What the goddamn hell are you saying,exactly?”
Those weren’t words used by a religious man. Not any religious man she’d ever heard. And his tone had turned aggressive.
“Don’t fuck me over. I’m counting on you to make this happen. Or else.”
Adrenaline surged through her as she hurried back toward the kitchen.Get his last name.
A moment later, Joey walked into the room and pasted on a smile. “The Lord’s words are so powerful. He’s all set now.” Joey’s lyrical tone was in stark contrast to the gruff one he’d used on the phone.
A chill swept through her as she passed him on the way upstairs to use the bathroom.
During dinner, Joey did not shut up. Another long, run-on sentence. And her sweet sister gobbled up all his bullshit. Afterwards, he insisted on cleaning up, so Evangeline offered to dry.
“You guys are spoiling me,” Hannah protested. “I have a dishwasher.”
“No work for you, angel,” he crooned before shooting Evangeline a smile. “So, Evangeline, when can we get together for that drink you promised me?”
“I’m—” She took a step away from him.
“I look forward to getting to know you better.”
Her stomach roiled. “I think I mentioned I’d check my schedule after the holidays.”
“I can’t wait.”
Evangeline wasn’t buying Joey’s stories. She wanted to give it to him with both barrels, but she would treat him like a suspect. If she was good at anything, it was asking questions.
“So, Joey, how did you and Charlene meet?”
Silence. He covered with a grin. “Through mutual friends.”
“And where you from again?”
“Asheville.”
“What brings you north?”
Silence. “Charity work. But, I might be staying long-term, if the right job presented itself.”
Could he be more vague?“With it being the Christmas season, I’ve been rethinking my own religious beliefs—”
“That’s wonderful, Evangeline,” Hannah blurted.
“And,” Evangeline continued, “I’m not sure which church to attend. There are so many in the area. What denomination is your church?”
“Ours is a mega church. We welcome everyone.”
Smooth. “Which church is that?”
