Page 52 of Devotion
Wonderful.
The guard glanced between us. "I heard some yelling."
Christopher sighed. "We're fine."
The guard looked unconvinced. I opened my mouth. Christopher beat me to it.
"My wife is threatening to leave me."
I choked. "What?!"
The guard's eyebrows shot upward.
Christopher pointed at me like he was presenting evidence in court. "She's very upset.”
"Hey! I am standing right here."
"She says she's not gonna go home with me."
"You know what? Let's just GO HOME,” I sighed.
My voice came out fast, clipped, betrayed by pure embarrassment.
"See?" Christopher said to the guard, completely calm. "Very upset.”
The guard nodded with the solemn understanding of a man who had witnessed many relationship disasters.
"Tough break, brother."
Brother?Absolutely not.
"No," I said immediately, pointing between them. "Don't encourage him.”
"Ma'am," the guard said gently, almost apologetic, "sometimes communication is important.”
I stared at him and Christopher stared very hard at the pavement now, his shoulders shaking more visibly.
The jerk was trying not tolaugh.
"Oh, that's it," I said. "Both of you are impossible."
The guard smiled. Christopher finally lost the battle and laughed. And somehow that was worse. Because it was the first genuine laugh I'd heard from him in a while.
I pointed toward the parking lot. "Car."
Christopher straightened immediately. "Car?"
"Take me home before I commit a crime."
"Yes, ma'am."
The guard nodded approvingly. "Smart man."
I groaned under my breath.
Christopher's grin widened, still lingering like he couldn’t quite shut it off. And somehow, despite everything, we both started walking toward the car.
Before I could reach for the handle, Christopher stepped ahead and opened the rear door for me. I shook my head and slid into the back seat.
