Page 58 of Spike

“But it’schurch.”

“Baby, I’d go to hellif it meant I was with you.”

I bit my lip. “Iwant to kiss you so bad right now.”

He chuckled.“Same.”

My parents arrivedand my father bristled as he reluctantly held his hand out to Spike. “Spike.Glad to see you at church. I hope the Lord speaks to you,clearly, thismorning.”

Spike shook hishand and nodded. “Looking forward to the spiritual enlightenment,pastor.”

I had to bite theinside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

My motherplastered a fake smile on her face and slid her hand into the crook of myfather’s arm. “We should get inside.”

“We’ll see youboth in there,” Daddy said, and led my mother away.

“Hi,” I breathedout.

“Hey, baby.” Heglanced over my head, then leaned down to kiss me quickly. “How was yourmorning?”

“Good now.” I heldup my coffee. “How did you know I needed this?”

He tapped histemple. “I can read your mind.”

I wrinkled mynose. “Well, that’s terrifying.”

He laughed. “Oh, Iknow.”

“Last chance tosave yourself.”

“It’s us againstthe world, baby.” He held his hand out to me. “You with me?”

I linked myfingers with his and nodded. He raised our hands to his lips, kissing the backof mine before we headed inside.

I led him down theaisle to our family pew only to find my mother had blocked off the seats besideher with programs. “There’s just no room for him to sit here,” she said.

“Then I’m noteither.”

“Don’t bedramatic, Christine.”

I scowled at herand walked Spike to the back of the church. I refused to sit anywhere near her.

“Baller move,baby,” Spike whispered as we took our seats.

The band took thestage and we were instructed to stand, so we did. For the next hour and fifteenminutes, Spike was the perfect congregant as the service dragged on.

Me, not so much.

I wanted out, sothe second we were dismissed, I grabbed Spike’s hand, and pulled him out theside door. “Please tell me you brought your bike.”

“I did not.”

I frowned. “What?Why not?”

“Because I broughtone of the trucks.”

“Oh,” I squeaked.“Do you have to have it back soon?”

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