Page 43 of Soaring and Steadfast

"No." Lila shook her head, exhaling a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "But you could warn me next time you try to set me up with someone. That was pretty sneaky, making me think Pasteur was a pastor."

Stephanie grinned unapologetically. "Heisa pastor."

"You know what I meant," Lila shot back, giving her friend a pointed look. "You knew exactly what you were doing. You set me up with someone you knew I’d click with and…"

Stephanie’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "So you twoclicked?"

Lila swallowed hard. "We clicked."

Stephanie leaned in, her expression eager. "Likeclickclicked—or justclicked? Girl, ifclickagehappened with Pasteur and youclickedhim good, Ineedto know. He’s a cutie-patootie and?—"

"Hey now," Trophy called out from the kitchen, poking his head around the corner. "You arenotallowed to think about Pasteur while wearing my wedding ring."

Stephanie slid the ring off her finger with exaggerated slowness, making Trophy’s mouth drop open.

"I’m kidding!" she said, laughing as she slipped it back on. "Sheesh, who knew you’d be so needy and clingy?"

"I’mnotclingy."

"And I’m not talking about Pasteur like that, sweetheart."

Trophy huffed, disappearing back into the kitchen. The second he was out of sight, Stephanie waggled her brows at Lila and dramatically yanked off her ring again.

Lila just shook her head, unable to hold back a soft laugh.

Stephanie sighed, slipping the band back onto her finger. "Darn. I figured you two would beincredibletogether."

Lila hesitated before whispering, "Oh man, can he ever kiss…" She sighed, her eyes going hazy with memory before snapping back to Stephanie. "I think he’s in love with me."

Stephanie’s head snapped up. "What? Did hesaythat?"

Lila bit her lip. "He didn’t saylove, but he said a whole bunch of other things thatdefinitelyalluded to it."

Stephanie leaned back, arms crossed. "If he didn’t say it, then it doesn’t count."

Lila groaned, throwing up her hands, and the baby jumped, flinging her little hands and feet outward before working her little lip once more and settling down again. "Iknow, right?! If they won’t commit to sayingoneword, what happens when things aren’t so great? What happens when the poop hits the fan? I’ve been there before, Steph. Ilivedit. And I won’t put myself in that position again."

Stephanie’s expression softened. "Lila, I don’t think Pasteur would ever?—"

"I know," Lila interrupted, her voice quiet, raw. She looked down at Angel, at the tiny miracle in her arms. "Iknowhe wouldn’t. But I told myself I would never let someone in again. I don’t want to have to pick up the pieces of myself again. It nearlybrokeme last time, and if it was Louis…" Her voice faltered. "If it was him, I don’t think I’dsurviveit."

Stephanie's gaze was unwavering. "You love him, don’t you?"

Lila’s throat closed up. Her fingers curled tighter around the baby.

"I’m scared," she whispered.

"That’s not what I asked."

Lila swallowed hard. "That’s the only answer I’m ready to give."

Stephanie exhaled, watching her for a long moment. "But it doesn’t change what your heart alreadyknows," she murmured.

The kitchen door swung open, and Trophy returned with a glass of water, setting it down beside Stephanie before pressing a soft kiss to her temple. He murmured something against her skin—something low and private—that made Stephanie chuckle softly and nod.

Lila turned away, the intimacy of the moment too much to bear. The love between them was so obvious, so real. And it hadn’t always been easy for them. They had fought for what they had. They had chosen each other—again and again.

Could she and Louis do the same?

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