Chapter 17 #2
“But Adam put a lot of time and energy into punching that guy out,” Sage said. “In front of half the damn town, too! Don’t tell me that man doesn’t have feelings for you.”
I look down. “He doesn’t. I mean, he’s said some sweet things to me, but I think he really only sees me as a friend.
” Yes, he’s given me some smoldering glances lately, but I can’t rely on facial expressions alone to figure out how someone feels about me.
I’d rather just hear it direct right from their mouth.
“Well, there’s one way to find out,” Teal says. “You gotta test him.”
Sage wrinkles her nose. “Test him how? Because playing games is usually immature crap.”
Teal shrugs. “Why don’t you tell him that Amá Sonya’s setting you up on a blind date this Friday? It’s not a lie.”
“Amá Sonya’s what?” I ask. “She told me she’s picking me up for breakfast!”
“Of course she did, the nasty old bat,” Teal says, rolling her eyes. “When I had brunch with her on Sunday, she was going on about how she’d found you a ‘nice, young, loaded man,’ emphasis on the loaded, to take you out to breakfast on Friday.”
It feels like someone’s hit a bunch of pool balls into my stomach, scattering them every which way. “But…why? What if I don’t want to have a meal with a man I’ve never met?”
“You don’t have to go,” Sage says gently.
“But if you did, you could let it slip to Adam that you’re going on a date. If he wants you like the way I think…he’s not going to be happy about it. Not one little bit.” Teal smiles triumphantly, like she knows she’s already right.
“I mean…” I ponder this. “I could just tell him, because we’re friends. Or at least, I’m pretty sure we’re friends by now.” Surely punching Grayson Baker puts him firmly in some kind of friends category. “If it comes up, I mean.”
“But are you okay with going on this date?” Sage asks. “Because we can put a stop to it right now. I will literally call up Amá Sonya and tell her it’s not happening.”
I shrug. “I mean…sure. I can always leave him if he gets creepy, or rude, or something.”
“Or you could call Adam to come get you if any of that happens,” Teal says.
I glare at her. “Have you been colluding with Nadia? Since when have you been a matchmaker?”
Sage perks up at this. “Oh? Has Nadia mentioned knowing something between you and Adam?”
“Just like she knew about me and Carter,” Teal says in a singsong voice.
I decide now’s as good a time as any to change the subject. Talking about whatever Nadia claims to know just confuses me further. “So, what about the online guy?”
Teal shrugs. “What about him?”
“I mean. It felt like we had a real connection there…”
“Until he ghosted you after getting off,” Teal finishes.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Sage says. “I mean. You guys know that’s how Tenn and I first connected.”
“But you knew who he was,” Teal says. “This internet random could literally be anyone.”
Sage suggests, “Keep chatting with him. But be very careful. Stay anon for a really long time, till you know he’s not—”
“Another version of that Baker asshole,” Teal supplies.
“Good point,” I say sullenly, looking down at Oak, who is stretching and looking for some milk that I definitely do not have.
“He might be a good one, too,” Sage says, softly lifting Oak to her chest. “Just give it time. If he’s hiding red flags, they will show themselves sooner or later. They always do.”
Since I have to get to work within the hour, Teal cleans the kitchen while Sage finishes up giving Oak his snack. As I say goodbye to my sisters, a thought occurs to me. “Hey, did you guys notice that the church store only sells Mary Magdalene stuff now? That’s kind of weird, right?”
“Oh,” Sage says. “That’s always been that way. You never heard the rumors there’s a cult connected to her at the church?”
Goose bumps prick over my arms and I wrap them around myself. “No. Really? A cult?”
“Uh-huh. I always tried to ask Nadia about it but all she would do is smile and act like I was asking why is the moon made of cheese.”
“Wait, Nadia’s in a cult?” Teal asks.
“It would make a lot of sense, no?” Sage replies. “That woman lives at the church. Always has.”
“What about…” I think about what @tryingsomethingnew told me. “You know. Secret doors and rooms and stuff. Do you know of any in the church? Does the cult have those spots?”
Sage raises an eyebrow at me, like she’s curious about why I’m asking, but decides to just humor me without questioning it.
“The only weird room I know is in the director of education’s office.
And that was, like, fifteen years ago. It might be a different office now.
But back then at least, there was a weird, short door between the bookshelves.
When I tried to open it up, it was locked.
I only tried once, though. Honestly, it was probably filled with just a bunch of extra Bibles.
” Sage kisses my cheek. “I gotta run. I’m starving, and I need to nap with this dude once he and I have both eaten again. ”
Teal gives me a hug. “I’ll be in touch,” she says. “I promise.” And true to her word, even before she’s left Nadia’s in her car, she texts me. Two weeks from now. My little shop’s grand opening. Bring Adam