Page 84 of Forbidden Harmony

“Are you ready to order?” Georgia asked.

“Sure.” Gideon placed his order and Preacherordered a steak sandwich and salad. He needed to eat something. After Addisonleft the shop, his appetite had disappeared, and he’d put the lunch he’d boughtin the fridge. Despite not eating all day, he still wasn’t hungry, but he’d chokedown the food. The headache was lurking in the background and not eating was asure way to turn it into a goddamn migraine.

“You ever get tired of eating at Nan’s?”Gideon said.

Wren was already returning with Gideon’s icedtea and she refilled Preacher’s water glass before leaving.

“No,” Preacher said. “The food’s goodhere.”

“The food is amazing,” Gideon said. “But it’snice to have a home-cooked meal every once in a while.”

“I go to your place when I want a home-cookedmeal.”

“A slab of meat thrown on the grill and somepotato salad from the grocery store isn’t exactly a home-cooked meal,” Gideonsaid.

“Your cooking has gotten a lot better sinceGrace moved in with you,” Preacher said.

Gideon laughed. “It’s all her. She’s anamazing cook.”

Preacher took a sip of his beer, waiting tosee if his churning stomach would protest. It did and with a grimace, he setthe bottle down.

“What’s going on with you?” Gideon said.

“I fucked up.”

“How?”

“With Addison. I hurt her feelings.”

Gideon waited patiently. There was no judgementon his face and Preacher felt another rush of love and gratitude toward hisbest friend.

“We’re still sleeping together,” he said.

Surprise crossed Gideon’s face. “Grace didn’tmention it to me.”

“She doesn’t know. At least I don’t thinkshe does. Addison said she wouldn’t tell Grace or Kira.”

“You’re keeping it a secret,” Gideon said.

“I didn’t ask her to keep it a secret,”Preacher said. “She wants it to be a secret.”

Anger furrowed Gideon’s forehead. “Why? Ifshe’s embarrassed to be seen with you, then she doesn’t deserve to be with you,Preacher. Don’t sell yourself short just because you think you don’t deservesomeone like Addison Moore. She’s not better than you no matter what you fuckingthink and -”

“Christ, calm down,” Preacher said. “Ithas nothing to do with that.” His tone was exasperated, but fuck if he didn’tappreciate how Gideon always had his back.

“Then why the secret?”

“Because it’s just fucking. It doesn’tmean anything.”

“Still doesn’t mean it has to be a secret.People have casual relationships all the time,” Gideon said.

“Yeah, I know.”

“What aren’t you telling me?” Gideon leanedforward.

“Sometimes I hate that you’re a fuckingcop,” Preacher said. “You can’t leave shit alone.”

“True,” Gideon said with a grin. “So, youmight as well tell me what I want to know.”

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