Page 69 of To Believe In You
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Lina stood at the back of the sanctuary on Sunday, debating where to sit. John and Erin alternated between attending church in Lakeshore and attending Erin’s home church a town or two over. Today, they sat beside Tim. Lina regularly joined that group on Adeline’s invitation, but the newest newlyweds were still off on their honeymoon.
Meanwhile, Matt sat alone toward the back. She’d dressed up for church in slacks and a blouse, but if anything, he’d dressed down in jeans and a hoodie. Could they be any more opposite? At least none of his clothes had holes. And there was something honest about the lack of pretense. Joining him would be a public display of a connection between them when she wasn’t exactly sure what that connection ought to be.
He caught her looking his way and waved a greeting.
Who was she kidding? Matt had also publicly displayed their connection by defending her from Shane, and she was invested in him no matter where she sat. She’d already made that much obvious by talking to John on Matt’s behalf. As usual with the drummer, the conversation had been short, but she’d explained that Matt had been protecting her.
To be sure the events at the wedding wouldn’t hurt Matt’s chances with Awestruck, she’d also talk to Gannon and Adeline. Besides, she ought to offer to pay for any damage to the broken table and toppled vase that might’ve been billed to them.
As she closed the distance, Matt scooted over to allow her space beside him. Throughout the service, he seemed more focused than she’d expected, and she chided herself for harboring such a low opinion of his ability to sit still.
They rose with the rest of the congregation for the closing song.
Ahead, Erin stepped into the aisle. Tim and John passed her, and as Erin retook her place, the men left the sanctuary.
Lina leaned close to Matt’s shoulder. “What’s that about?”
Matt’s voice cut out of the song as he seemed to track the early exit. “Tim’s been off all week.”
“What started it?”
Matt seemed to have an answer, but instead of offering it, he picked the song back up and focused on the service until the pastor finished the benediction. Their first time sitting together for a service, and she was the one distracting him. Who would have thought?
The service ended, and a pianist played as the congregation broke into movement and conversation. Lina turned toward Matt.
He motioned her to pick up her purse from the pew. Once they were on their way out, he rested his hand lightly against the small of her back. “We got to talking about family values on Monday. Considering his situation, I might not have been as tactful as I should’ve been.” His voice emanated from just over her shoulder.
His feathery touch marked their first contact since Tuesday, when he’d said he was letting her lead. All week, she’d been thinking about it. He might have to wait forever if he left it up to her, but if he instigated another kiss, she’d happily go along with it. If this was premature and ill-conceived, at least he’d be the one who started it.
The one to blame.
That wasn’t fair to him, though. If she did make the next move and this didn’t work out, she doubted he’d blame her. He’d chalk it up to experience, be glad they’d enjoyed it while they had it, and move on to the next thing.
If only she were equally resilient.
Anyway. He stayed near now simply to avoid losing her in the crowd.
She glanced back at him. “What exactly did you say to him?”
“Broken families are signs of a broken world. Evidence that we all need Jesus. I was not trying to say I’d be a better dad than he’s been, but I think he took it that way.”
Her step slowed as her imagination sprinted toward the idea of Matt as a father. Boy or girl, his child would be a daredevil who’d put him through his paces.
Matt’s sheepish look beside her pulled her back to the present. Back to Tim. “Ever since, when he hasn’t been avoiding me, he’s been eyeing me like he might kill me in my sleep.”
Lina laughed and stepped outside. “He’s feeling convicted?”
Matt shrugged, the autumn sun playing on his shoulders. He scanned the parking area. Both John’s sports car and Tim’s luxury sedan waited in stalls, neither man in sight.
A family with young children made their way to a minivan parked nearby.
“Are you sure you don’t want kids?”
“Um.” Matt’s surprise settled into an exaggerated frown. “Did I say I didn’t?”
“After Bailey was bullied, you said you were glad you didn’t have any.”
