Page 31 of Mass Sins

He gave a quick nod, and without another word, he walked down the aisle until he reached the big doors and left.

As intense as that conversation went, I could already tell that Connor and I would get along just fine once he saw how serious I was about Bennie.

I liked him, and the good thing was, I liked his daughter even more.

***

Apparently, today was thevisit Joska at churchday.

After Connor coming by this morning, it was Sin who walked into the church, pushing her stroller. She smiled at me as she walked toward me, and I met her halfway, smiling back.

“What a pleasure. What’s a woman with such a sinful name coming to do at a holy church?” I asked, teasing her. Making jokes about her name never got old. At least, for me it never did. I placed a hand on her waist and leaned in to kiss her cheek.

She laughed softly, and as I looked down at Luca sleeping in the stroller, she said, “I came to see if you were still alive. Connor told me he came by earlier. How did that go?”

I caressed Luca’s cheek with the back of my fingers and backed away shortly after to not wake her. I looked at Sin again and pursed my lips. “Does Bennie also know he came?”

“No, she doesn’t. But I don’t think she needs to know right now. At least not before your date tomorrow. She’s super excited, you know?” Sin smiled gently. She was giving me the reassurance I needed.

“I’m excited too. Can’t wait to see her pretty face again,” I told her honestly.

“That’s good. So, what did Connor say to you? Was he scary?”

I chuckled. “A little at first, but he’s a good man. Very protective over Bennie, which he should be. But I promised him that my intentions with her are good.”

“And you were honest about that?” she asked, raising a brow. “You know he’ll kill you if you’re lying, and after that, I will kill you again, and lastly, your brother will do it a third time.”

I smirked, amused. “I’m well aware of that. But I can promise you that I will not hurt her in any way. I truly like her, Sin. It might sound cheesy, but after the day we first met, I felt something change in me. I’m sure you know that feeling. You’ve felt the same with Archer, and then the other three.”

She studied me as her expression softened. She pursed her lips and rested one hand on the stroller, slowly moving it back and forth to rock her baby. “I fell head-over-heals with Archer the first time I saw him. I was in love only days after meeting him. I was obsessed with him, Joska, and I knew we were meant to be. Are you sure that’s what you’re feeling for Bennie?” Her question challenging.

I was never in love before, and her words made me reflect on how I truly felt.

I took a moment to think about my answer, and while I did, Bennie’s face was all I saw. I started smiling, and the words I said next came from my heart.

“I can’t say I fell head-over-heals with her the first time I saw her, but after the conversation we had, I could feel something between us. Something was pulling me toward her, and I knew she felt the same. I also knew that rushing things would only push her away again, and that’s why I let her be in control and choose if she wanted more. I gave her my number, and if she wanted to see me again, she could put that number to use. If not, it would’ve been fine too, but I’m really damn glad that she texted.” I stopped, needing another moment to gather my thoughts. “I want to be close to her, and I want to get to knowher better, but I need to do it slow and steady. I don’t think I have to tell you that she’s been through a lot, and while I’ve not always been a saint, I would never play with someone’s feelings and hurt them. So, I guess what I’m saying is…I have feelings for her, but I can’t rush it the way you did with Archer. Bennie needs time, and that’s what I’m going to give her.”

Sin looked at me with her eyes narrowed, almost as if she didn’t believe what I said. “You made out with her on your first date. How is that taking it slow?”

I chuckled and ran a hand through my hair. “Fair question, but I didn’t kiss her out of the blue. I asked her first, and she said yes.”

“Uh-huh…” She smirked and kept studying me closely. “I take it a priest can’t lie, especially not in church. But then, you fucked women on the altar before, so that’s a rule you could easily break. However…I believe you. And I trust you not to fuck things up with my best friend. And if you do, you better sleep with one eye open.”

I started grinning at her threat. “I like you like this. Kinda hot,” I teased. She knew I respected her and her family.

She rolled her eyes and slapped my chest. “Stop it. Now, for your date tomorrow, bring her Peonies. Those are her favorite.”

I laughed. “Thanks, Connor already told me.”

“He did? God, that man can’t get any more perfect. If he’ll accept you as your son in law one day, you’ll be goddamn lucky.”

“Language,” I warned, teasing her again.

“Right, as if you care.”

I winked at her and leaned in to give her another kiss on the cheek. “Hate to kick you out, but I need to finish up some things. Thanks for coming by, Sin.”

“Of course. I’ll see you around, Joska.”