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“Nah, I’m good.” He might have to work through lunch and into the evening, but if that was what it took to get some alone time with Grace, it was worth it.
Chapter 51
Chafing
It’s disturbing, the war insideme.
Alec’s hand slips around my waist, pulling me closer as we look for a seat in the chapel. “Let’s go up a little closer,” he whispers into my ear.
I fight the urge to pull away. Honestly, can he not just make a hand gesture or something? Choosing a seat for worship service is not a romantic endeavor. I grit my teeth, tell myself how lucky I am to havesomeone, and let him guide me.
For which I am blessed since I catch a glimpse of Noah sitting in the pew I almost sat in.
A rush of guilt washes over me. I haven’t mentioned to Alec that I ran with Noah several times last week. I doubt he’d care, but I probably shouldn’t be spending time alone with a guy other than my boyfriend. Still, it’s not like it was planned. Noah’s schedule happens to be similar to mine, and we’ve accidentally bumped into each other every day since the first time—sometimes on my way out, sometimes on the way back—but always for a few minutes, we run and talk.
Pastor Will finishes his opening remarks as we get settled and invites us to join him in opening the scriptures. Alec eases his arm around my shoulders and rests his open Bible half on my lap, half on his. It’s a show of affection, a compliment—not a demand for attention.
Right?
I focus on the sermon, not hard to do with Pastor Will. He always manages to make things simple and deep at the same time.
I feel a tap on my shoulder and accept a folded paper from someone behind me. It’s a note from Tony, sitting a few rows behind us, reminding me that I agreed to share a verse to begin our committee meeting after church today. I’d be irritated if I hadn’t forgotten. It also says he’s contacted the new people to make sure they’ll be there. Other than Jamie—who told me before church that she’ll be there—I’ll have to wait and see who they are when I get there.
I keep one ear tuned to the service as I think over my week in search of something to share, but Alec keeps toying with a curl at the base of my messy bun, sending shivers down my arm as I listen. Attention is nice, but this is not the time. I bend down to adjust the strap on my sandals, using the shift to capture his hand with my own. The look he gives me makes it clear he knows what I’m doing, but he settles for making circles on my hand with his thumb when I sit back.
By the end of the meeting, I’m in need of some space and possibly some ointment for the chafing.
I manage to extricate myself as we get up to leave, but his hand finds my waist again and guides me toward the outer door.
“I have a meeting, remember?” I say, gesturing to the small classroom off the foyer.
“Can’t you skip it?”
It baffles me why I have to explain this to him. Again. “I’m sorry, but I need to be there, and this is the best time for everyone else.”
Playing with my hand again, he pulls me out of the stream of people and lowers his voice. “Are you okay?”
I nod.
“You seem... I don’t know... off today.”
I squeeze his hand and step closer even though it kinks my neck, hoping without hope that no one is listening to our relationship discussion right here in the middle of the crowded entryway. “I’m fine. We’ll still have plenty of time after the meeting.”
He huffs. “What am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
“Come with me?”
His lack of enthusiasm is monumental.
“I’m sorry,” I repeat. “I’ll be as fast as I can. You can go to my apartment, or you can wait here.” The crowd has mostly cleared, so I soften the blow with a kiss to his cheek.
His hand presses mine, confirming the tactic’s efficacy. “I’ll go to your place. Can you get a ride?”
“I’ll ride back with Jamie,” I say. I hand him my keys, watching as he walks to his car. He’s everything I ever thought I wanted. It’s surreal that we’re together.
So why am I annoyed?
Chapter 52
