Chapter 24
Eight hours after finally confessing her love to Sergio-Xavier, Paige stood behind the stage at Restoration Ministries, praying for the strength to lead the church into high worship and praise for the eleven o’clock service. She had learned only minutes earlier that the scheduled worship leader for the second service had called in sick. As the assigned backup, Paige had to fill in. Any other Sunday, Paige would have been ecstatic about singing for the Lord, but today her spirit was too uneasy to act out the joy she’d become accustomed to faking. Today claiming something she didn’t possess seemed pointless, and so did speaking manufactured church lingo.
When the usher asked how she was doing this fine Sunday morning, Paige responded, “Tired and sleepy,” instead of the usual “Blessed and highly favored.” She wasn’t mad or angry. She wouldn’t say she was happy, but she was content. Something inside her had changed, but unable to identify what, Paige attributed it to fatigue.
After taking a cold shower last night and praying, she had called Sergio-Xavier and they had talked half the night about everything, anything, and nothing. When they started arguing over who should hang up the phone first, Paige realized she’d never slowed down long enough to have a boyfriend or to be courted. She wanted that experience with Sergio-Xavier, but she hadn’t reconciled how he fit into her plans for Seniyah and the baby.
The first chords of the overture played by the band redirected her focus to the task at hand. After entreating the Lord to anoint her voice once more, Paige walked to the center of the platform and removed the microphone, and after a brief exhortation, she closed her eyes and offered the one thing she knew God accepted from her—worship.
“Girl, the Lord anointed you today,” Reyna said when Paige slipped into the seat she’d saved for her on the second row after praise and worship.
“To God, be the glory.” Paige looked down the row and greeted with a wave the Jenningses and the Scotts, who were seated next to Reyna and Tyson. They returned the greeting, then directed their attention back to the screen displaying upcoming events.
“Is there enough room for me?”
Paige’s head jerk created a domino effect. As if on cue, seven heads, including baby Destiny’s, turned sideways, and everyone gaped at Sergio-Xavier, who was standing at the end of the row.
Elation didn’t begin to describe how Paige felt. He’d called her this morning just to say, “Good morning, love. Have a peaceful and blessed day.” Then he’d hung up. Now he stood within inches of her, looking fine as ever with that defined dimple.
“There’s always room for you.” She offered him a smile and then sneered at her friends down the row. “Move over,” she ordered.
Kevin and Tyson chuckled and exchanged high fives before waving at Sergio-Xavier and scooting down the row. Reyna was too busy giggling to move her stuff fast enough. Paige pushed the baby’s diaper bag out of the way.
“Thanks, sweetheart,” Sergio-Xavier whispered in her ear.
“What are you doing here?” She was the reason he was there, but she wanted to hear him say it. He didn’t disappoint her.
“I wanted to hear you sing.”
“Oh,” she said, pouting. “Praise and worship just ended.”
“I know. I’ve been here since the beginning of the service. I didn’t know where you were sitting, so I stayed in the back until you were done, and then followed you to your seat.” He squeezed her hand. “You really blessed me today.”
“How did you know I’d be the lead today? I wasn’t scheduled.”
He shrugged. “An unction, I guess.”
Paige blushed and turned away, only to find the attention of everyone in the row glued on her instead of on the big-screen announcements. Thanks to their nosiness, her friends wouldn’t know anything that was going on at church.
“Mind your business,” she mouthed and then rested against Sergio-Xavier’s arm.
Unlike the previous time they attended a church service together, this time felt normal. They shared Bibles and took notes, even commented briefly on key points. It felt as if they were one, like a missing part of her had suddenly been reconnected. During the prayer after the sermon, they held hands, but instead of praying for strength and healing like Pastor Drake had instructed, Paige tried to envision Sergio-Xavier’s role in the life of the child she planned to raise.
Mother Scott and First Lady Drake made a beeline to her immediately after the benediction. This time Paige didn’t attempt to run away. She opened her arms and embraced them both. After the Simone interrogation, she’d gained a new appreciation for the bossy pair.
“God sure is working in your life!” First Lady Drake exclaimed. “I’ve never seen you look this good. You’re not there yet, but you are well on the way.”
“On the way to what?” Paige asked, but the prayer warriors carried on the conversation as if Paige weren’t there.
“About three more all-night prayer sessions ought to do it,” Mother Scott concurred. “She’ll be good and ready by then, and tired of faking too.” She then turned to Sergio-Xavier. “Just a few more kinks and you’ll be ready too. Now that you’ve stopped lying to yourself and everybody else.”
“I appreciate your prayers.” Sergio-Xavier leaned in and kissed both women on the cheek. “One can’t help but get right and stay right with the two of you on the job.”
“That’s what we’re here for.” Mother Scott interlocked her arm with Sergio-Xavier’s. “Since you’re practically family now, I have a question for you.”
“Mother Scott, don’t!” Paige reached for Mother Scott’s hand to keep her from saying something that would embarrass her. As always, her effort was in vain.
“Calm down, girl. We claimed your snobbish, rude, judgmental, and full-of-attitude self as a daughter a long time ago. If we can accept you, we can accept him too. Besides, he’s cute,” Mother Scott declared.
“Yes, Lord,” First Lady Drake agreed in a soft tone. “You hit the jackpot and don’t even know it.”
Paige wanted to hit Mother Scott for dissecting her character perfectly and Sergio-Xavier for laughing.
Mother Scott cleared her throat and continued speaking to Sergio-Xavier. “Like I was saying, you’re one of those brain doctors, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’m a neurologist.”
“I’ve been having these headaches. What do you think it could be?”
“I don’t believe this. The prayer warrior seeking free medical advice,” Paige grumbled and turned to leave. Unfortunately, her friends were lying in wait.
Reyna attacked first with an uncharacteristic bear hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
Marlissa joined in, making it a group hug. “You two look so good together. And you’re glowing.”
“No, I’m not,” Paige snapped with less fire than normal.
“Yes, you are,” Tyson said, giving her a hug. “Congratulations,” he said out loud and then whispered in her ear, “I told you it would happen.”
For once, pangs of envy over Tyson’s happiness didn’t attack her. “Thank you.”
“I’ll collect my finder’s fee in the form of free real estate services for a lifetime,” Kevin teased before embracing her.
She stepped back, and with one hand on her hip and a finger wagging in their faces, Paige prepared to tell her friends exactly what she thought of their little matchmaking scheme. “That reminds me. The next time you feel the urge to butt into my love life, or lack thereof, don’t! I don’t need your help,” she scolded.
“That’s because she has me now,” Sergio-Xavier said, butting in, having completed Mother Scott’s free consultation. “And I’ll make sure she never lacks anything.”
The wink that accompanied his promise crushed Paige’s emotional protective wall. She had to regain control before she turned into mush before her friends. “What you need to remember is, I’m an independent woman. I’m not some needy and helpless woman who needs a rescuer. I can take care of myself,” she asserted.
Sergio-Xavier turned to Kevin. “Man, I don’t know if I should thank you for connecting me to this woman or punch you in the face.”
Paige’s gasp was overshadowed by the group’s laughter.
“I love this woman,” Sergio-Xavier declared, placing his arm around her, “but I’d pay good money to tame that mouth.”
At that moment, it was his mouth that Paige wanted to tame. Sergio-Xavier had just publicly declared his love for her, and if the relationship didn’t work out, everyone would believe it was her fault.
“Would you like to join us for dinner?” Reyna offered between giggles. “There’s more than enough food.”
“Thank you,” Sergio-Xavier answered before Paige could. “But we’ll have to take a rain check. Our plane leaves in an hour.”
Paige had no idea what he was talking about, but she played along. “Yeah, we’d better get going.” She tugged his sleeve. “Come on, honey. We don’t want to be late.” They started walking down the aisle. “See you busybodies next week,” Paige called over her shoulder.
“Why did you lie in church, Minister Simone?” she asked him as they neared the door.
“I didn’t lie, sweetheart. I booked reservations at my favorite seafood restaurant in Los Angeles. The family plane is waiting at Oakland International.” Her steps slowed. “I hope you don’t mind,” he added. “The place has a spectacular view of the coastline. I know you’re going to love it.”
“It’s not that I mind. I just forgot you have it like that.”
“Being my lady has many privileges,” he said once they were in the confines of his car. “I hope you’re ready for the ride.”
Paige tried her hand at flirting. “I’m yours. Take me anywhere.”
He chuckled and kissed her cheek. “In time, sweetheart, in time.”
Paige relaxed in the leather seat and for once enjoyed the moment. She didn’t remember she’d signed up to visit the sick and the shut-in with the home care ministry until the plane landed at LAX. Although she felt bad for breaking a commitment, she didn’t have an ounce of regret for spending quality time with the man she loved.