Page 38 of A Lie in Church

“No,” I disagreed.

He groaned and moved his tablet away, and then he looked at me. “Should I go on my knees and beg you?”

Was he really gonna do that? I mean, I wouldn’t mind the gesture, but I was better than that.

I stared at Adrian. He was leaning back in his seat, watching with an amused grin as he took a bite from a strawberry.

“Okay, only tonight,” I sighed, and Tristan breathed out in relief.

“You should have said yes. I really wanted to see him on his knees, begging.” Adrian frowned, and Tristan glared at him.

“Do you guys drink wine at every dinner?” I asked as Morris filled our glasses.

“Yeah, it goes well with the food,” Adrian said as he dished out the hot pasta.

I went for the Salisbury steak, sausage, and veggies.

Dinner was fun. Adrian made me laugh so much that I choked on my drink, but Tristan was too busy with work on his tablet.

Adrian carried me back to my room, but this time around, his hand didn’t touch my bare skin.

“I need to brush my teeth,” I said as he was about to put me down on the bed.

He took me to the bathroom, placing me on the counter next to the sink. He leaned on the counter, staring at me as I brushed.

“How did you feel when Tristan picked you?” he asked.

I spat out the paste in my mouth to answer him. “I thought he’d lost his mind or maybe it was wedding drama to amuse the congregation,” I said and went back to brushing my teeth.

He laughed briefly and looked around the bathroom.

“I didn’t see you at the wedding,” I said.

“I was traveling. I returned that day and heard about everything.”

“Did you know it was gonna happen?”

“Kinda.”

I waited for him to say more, but he stayed quiet.He knew Tristan was going to ruin his own wedding?

I rinsed my mouth and leaned down to the tap to wash my face. Adrian moved closer, holding my hair back.

“Thanks,” I said, washing my face.

“Nice birthmark.”

“It’s not a birthmark, but thanks.” I didn’t want to talk about it. “Please pass me the face towel.”

I dried my face, and he took me back to my room. He slowly put me on the bed and stood in front of me.

“What’s up with Tristan? Anything you wanna share?” I asked.

“It’s not easy for him right now, but he’ll tell you soon.”

“Yeah, he has eleven days.” I had the date marked on my phone’s calendar and also an alarm set for that day.

“I’m sorry about your family,” he said softly, taking the space next to me on the bed.