The Divine Temptation (18+) (Forbidden Priest Romance)

13. Really Just Friends

'pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate'

Proverbs 8:13

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Evangeline

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"She will drag you and your name through the mud, everything you built. Why do you think she's not a believer? For once in your life, stop being so naive," Father Richard announces to Gabriel, as they practically stand toe to toe against each other, Gabriel's father ever so slightly shorter than him.

Gabriel glances in my direction, his tight jaw now turning slack, as his eyes widen in shock.

"Evangeline," he almost whispers. His father turns towards me, the look of shock also equally on his face.

I keep my face neutral and stalk down the stairs towards the back of the car. I walk between them, both their eyes on me as I grab a box from the open back, before turning towards Gabriel.

"There's someone on the phone for you. They say it's urgent." I turn around to then face Gabriel's father, awkwardness now masking the expression of shock.

"Last time I checked, pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13." His mouth turns slightly tight, turning his thin lips white from the pressure of keeping them shut, as I take the stairs back up through the back door.

I hear Gabriel mumble something but don't bother to listen as I take the box through to the storage cupboard, slamming the box on an empty worktop, and angrily grabbing a pair of scissors to slice the crisps box open. I catch Gabriel walking down the church hallway; he pauses at the open door for a few seconds before heading through to his office, where the church office phone had rung.

I slam the loose packets into one of the drawers and rip the seams of the box apart to flatten it for the bin.

I take a deep breath. Evangeline, you've come too far to let an insignificant comment anger you so much.

But it wasn't insignificant, was it? It was a comment that could leave me completely isolated in this town, by the only person willing to talk to me.

I take out my phone and open my messages app.

Evangeline: Can we talk?

I tap my phone on my hand, shifting on my feet as I wait for a response. My phone vibrates a short moment later.

Joanne (Therapist): Is 3 this afternoon good?

I shoot a quick reply agreeing to the time. The tension in my shoulders slightly eases up, now that I've booked an appointment with my therapist.

I place my phone in my back pocket before walking into the hallway to grab the rest of the items from the car. Instead, I find Gabriel by the back door, the crate of orange juice and plastic cups in his arms.

"Sorry, I saw you on the phone and thought it would be best if I brought the rest in."

I nod, going to pick up the other juice crate that was placed on the floor. Words don't escape me. If anything, I'm unsure of what to say. Did Father Richard tell him anything, or was Gabriel even in agreement with what was said? I don't make eye contact, instead swiftly turning and walking to the kitchen.

His footsteps trail behind me, my heart slightly quickening, as I place the crate on the counter.

He picks at the corner of the plastic on the orange juice crate, his eyes somewhat lost in space, as his other hand rises to the back of his neck as he turns his body towards me.