Page 67 of Worship Him

When the clock strikes nine, I put Avery back in her crib, her tummy full after her last feeding for the night.

I make myself comfortable on the couch, a steaming cup of tea warming my hands, expecting a peaceful night. It’s about damn time. Things have been so complicated and intense lately, this moment is a luxury I intend to fully appreciate.

A sharp knock at the door shatters the peaceful silence. My heart leaps into my throat, and I spill some of the tea all over my shirt.

"Shit," I mutter, carefully setting the cup down on the coffee table.

Another knock, more insistent this time. My mind races. Who could it be? The paparazzi? But how would they have found us here?

Oh, God. Please don’t have them disturb my little sanctuary!

I tiptoe to the window, peeking out through a gap in the curtains. The porch is cast in shadow, making it impossible to see who's out there.

There’s no sign of the glint of cameras or the murmur of paparazzi excitedly talking to each other, hoping to catch me off guard.

My parents flash through my mind. Could it be them? But they wouldn't just show up unannounced, would they? They'd call first...I’m not even sure they have this address, though I could have given it to them at some point.

Suddenly, I realize I haven't checked my phone in hours. I scramble to find it, buried under a pile of baby clothes I'd beenfolding earlier. The screen lights up, revealing several missed calls and messages.

My stomach drops. What if something happened? What if they've been trying to reach me?

The knocking comes again, louder this time. I jump, my nerves frayed.

"Just a minute!" I call out, my voice shaky.

I glance at Avery, sleeping peacefully in her portable crib. Should I wake her? No, better to let her sleep through whatever this is.

Rummaging through my bag, I grab a clean shirt and yank off the now tea-stained one. Clean and dry, I take a deep breath and I approach the door.

My hand hovers over the knob, trembling slightly. I steel myself, then slowly turn the handle.

I take another deep breath and exhale slowly, steeling myself as I reach for the doorknob. The cool metal sends a shiver through my palm.

Why am I being so damn dramatic? Breathing in more than someone doing yoga. You’d think I’m in some kind of cheesy horror film where the killer is silly enough to ring the doorbell before slashing at the main character. I laugh, feeling really stupid.

With a twist and a pull, I swing the door open, ready to face whatever's on the other side.

My heart stops.

Adam stands there, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe. His dark blue eyes lock onto mine, intense and unreadable. The familiar scent of his cologne wafts toward me, nearly taking my breath away.

26

DESTINY

Istand frozen in the doorway, my heart pounding in my chest. Adam's presence is overwhelming, and my mind has difficulty believing what my eyes are seeing.

"What are you doing here?" I finally manage to ask after a few seconds of simply staring at him, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes scan my face, concern etched in his features. "Are you going to let me in?"

I step aside, allowing him to enter. The cottage suddenly feels smaller, Adam's broad frame filling the space.

We make our way to the living room, the tension between us palpable.

"Sit," I say, gesturing to the couch. "I'll check on Avery."

I peek into the portable crib, relief washing over me as I see her still peacefully asleep. When I turn back, he’s watching me intently.

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