Page 35 of The Confidant
But pastors like Scarlett’s dad didn’t bring in much more than they could live on. Scarlett’s investment banker mother was the one who’d pushed and paid for her daughter’s expensive boarding school education.
But again, Xander probably wouldn’t ever have to worry about making any real money from his passion projects.
“I’ve just been so blessed by the church that I want to help more people find what I’ve found,” Xander said, his voice deepening like he was feeling emotional talking about this. “I just see so many people who would benefit from inviting Jehovah into their lives and want to do my part to help them find him.”
“Oh cool…” Addison nodded slowly, her voice raising in pitch at the end, like she was worried about the turn this conversation had suddenly taken.
And I knew that deer-in-the-headlights look well—the one that said,that’s cool you like your beliefs, but please don’t try to convert me since I’m actually happy where I am.
Yeah, I might have seen that look several times in the past when some innocent person would ask me what I did over the weekend, and I would instantly go into “convert the non-members” mode and try to get them to go to church with me.
“Hey, it looks like it’s almost our turn to order,” I said, touching Addison’s arm to save her from the conversation she’d unintentionally walked into. “Do you know what you want?”
“Oh, I haven’t even looked at the menu yet.” Relief showed on her face when she turned back to me. “What do you like from here?”
I glanced at the menu. “I usually like the French dip sandwich or the BLT.”
“A BLT sounds amazing,” she said. “I think I’ll get that.” Then stepping closer and linking her arm through mine, she whispered, “Thanks for saving me. I literally thought I was about to be invited to welcome their version of Jesus into my life.”
“No problem.” I patted her arm. But since I couldn’t resist having a little fun of my own, I bent next to her hair and whispered, “Though, if you want to go to church with me tomorrow, I think that could be a romantic second date.”
Addison took in a sharp breath and looked up at me with an expression that told me she was about to bolt away.
“I’m kidding.” I held up my hands, unable to hold in a chuckle.
To which she responded with a quick elbow in the ribs. “Not funny, Hunter.”
“Except it kind of is.” I shot her a playful wink.
Man, it was cathartic joking about the things I used to take so seriously.
It was our turn to order a moment later. While Addison told the guy at the counter what she wanted, I allowed myself a quick glance back at Scarlett and Xander just to see how things seemed to be going.
But instead of being happily engaged in conversation like they’d been most of the morning, I found Scarlett glaring at the back of Addison’s head.
Like, she thought that little back-and-forth we’d just had was our version of flirting.
Which…I guess it could have been…
12
SCARLETT
“Just two more hours andthis will be over with,” Ava whispered to me as we stood on the edge of the great hall where the Valentine's dance was taking place. Our dates had just gone to throw away the cups and plates—we had heart-shaped cookies and pink “love potion” punch—so Ava and I had a few seconds to ourselves. “You doing okay still?”
“I’m hanging in there,” I said, trying to sound more cheerful than I felt.
Because in all honesty, I was not doing well.
The day had started out fine. I’d started out the morning fully intent on being a happy and bubbly date for Xander since he’d taken the time to drive here from New Haven. I mean, it had to be slightly awkward for him to be spending the day with a bunch of high school kids, so I figured I’d have to make things as enjoyable as I could.
But even though I’d been putting forth my best effort to be present and in a good mood for him, having Hunter and Addison’s date right there in my face had started to really wear on me as the day went on.
“I bet Hunter is feeling just as off about everything today as you are,” Ava said, rubbing her hand across my back in a comforting way. “And come tomorrow, things will go back to normal.”
“They better.” I sighed heavily. “Because if I’m losing him…” I stopped, knowing I couldn’t finish that sentence without my voice breaking.
If he and Addison decided to go on a second date, then a third and a fourth—
