Page 49 of Mine to Worship

“I’ll be there, but it might be late when Kendrick and I get there,” Tara says, her brunette bob cutting her jaw with her excited nod.

“No problem.”

We hang up and there is someone else I miss and want to be here for the weekend, too. I can’t ignore Brandon’s calls and messages anymore. I miss my friend.

“Ellia,” Brandon says when he answers my call, relief and caution dangling on his face.

“You are officially forgiven.”

“Thank you! You’re so damn good, it humbles me,” he says, voice shaking with gratitude.

I push back the emotions threatening to subdue me and ask. “So, how’s responsibility suiting you?”

He has dark bags under his eyes, and he lost a bit of his boyish looks, his stubble adding to the maturation of his features.

“Don’t tell Kian, but it’s more than I thought it would be, having this responsibility every hour of the day. But it’s also empowering. I want to prove to him he didn’t make a mistake by offering me this chance. He even praised me. I got drunk that night. And Mikaela might poison me, so this is me officially terrified.”

“Wait, what?”

“Kian didn’t tell you? He fired Melanie after what happened, and Mikaela and I split her responsibilities. What have you two been doing the entire time? You can’t get any more pregnant.”

I snort and confess, “I miss you, and if you’re not too busy, we’re organizing a gathering this weekend.”

After he confirms, we end the call, and I dial my mom’s cell phone.

“Ellia?” Her voice betrays her curiosity, the last vowel ending on a higher pitch. “How are you?”

“We’re at the chalet.”

“When are you returning?”

“Not yet… Mom, we’re going to stay a while longer here.”

“I’ll come visit as soon as I can get a few days off.”

“I’d love that, say hi to Dad. I can’t wait to see you.”

I disconnect the call, and Kian’s hand wraps around me.

“It will hurt her that I stayed with my aunt,” I say with a sigh.

He kisses the top of my head. “I am sure when she hears she’ll be a grandmother, it will help.”

“She has always had this impression that my aunt and I share some bond she’s not part of.”

His hands come across my stomach, enveloping me fully and I close my eyes.

I am home, in his arms.

“Don’t you?”

“Yes, but it’s because things are easier with my aunt. My mom is like a bulldozer that digs and digs whenever she gets the opportunity.” I draw patterns on his hand with my finger and add, “I called the girls, too.”

“The guys have blown my phone up ever since I told them. Bye bye, peaceful times,” he grumbles.

Chapter 20

Kian

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