A Thin Line Between Love & Hate (Love Conquers All series) ORIGINAL VERSION

Chapter 28: "Hearts in Waiting"

"Waiting for your boys?" Marsha flashed a teasing smile at Brandon and James as she approached the concrete wall where the two boys sat side by side, watching the school parking lot.

Her best friend, Lisa, tagged along with her and nudged her, grinning. "What do you mean their boys? That's why you wanted to come out here—to see if Elijah had shown up yet." Lisa was half African American and half Native American. The end result—a very beautiful, elegant young woman with high cheekbones, mocha skin, and long, flowing silky black hair. As Marsha told it, nearly every girl in school was jealous of Lisa's exotic beauty. The straight girls saw her as their ultimate competition while the gay girls considered her the ultimate conquest. Currently, Lisa was unattached, though—being Bi—she had quite the pool to choose from in this school.

"Huh-uh," Marsha countered with a pursed smile and patted Brandon's leg. "I was just looking for these boys."

"Sure. Sure," Brandon teased.

The two girls looked at James, who sat anxiously next to Brandon, hardly aware of their banter as his eyes darted repeatedly to the parking lot. "What's with you?" Marsha asked with a short laugh. "Awful quiet. Not like you at all."

James shrugged and grinned, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Nothing. Can't I have a quiet time now and then?"

"You?" Lisa shook her head. "I've never known you to ever be quiet."

"With James it is impossible," Marsha smiled. "But with God—all things are possible. Slightly paraphrased."

Lisa and Brandon laughed.

James scowled. "What does the bible say about women keeping silent?"

"Oh posh," Marsha waved her hand flippantly. "God didn't really mean that."

"Not sure even God could make that one stick," Brandon teased.

"Ha. Ha." Marsha made a face at him. "You're not half as funny as you think you are, golden boy."

"Golden boy?"

Marsha laughed lightly. "You know you're God's favorite."

"What?" Brandon rolled his eyes and laughed. "God doesn't play favorites. He loves us all the same, and you know it, silly woman." He pointed at her. "And just so you know, I am funny. At least Josh always laughs at my jokes."

"Yeah, well, there's no accounting for taste." She laughed and jumped away when Brandon tried to boot her with his foot.

"So, you and him really...getting along?" Lisa asked curiously.

Brandon nodded slowly, unable to keep the smile off his face. "Seem to be."

Marsha sighed and hopped up on the wall beside Brandon and slipped her arm through his. "You are so head over heels for him." She nudged him playfully. "Admit it, Romeo."

"I plead the fifth," Brandon chuckled.

She rolled her eyes then leaned close, her voice low. "So, what's really going on with our unusually silent friend?"

Brandon glanced at James, caught his stare, then looked at Marsha and shrugged. "I don't know."

"I'm going to head back in," Lisa said. "You coming with, girl?"

"No," Marsha said. "I'm going to chill out with the guys for now."

"And wait for handsome Elijah Waylon? Hm?"

"Nooo."

Lisa laughed and walked back toward the front entrance of the school. Marsha relaxed a little and Brandon looked at her with a small smile. "What was that little sigh for? You glad she left before Elijah arrived?"