Joy by Victoria Christopher Murray Page B

out.”
    “But what I see on the outside doesn't match. You have a successful business, make quite a bit of money, drive an expensive car, live in a nice home, I'm sure. From what I remember, that's not the Christian lifestyle.”
    “Christians are supposed to be poor?”
    He nodded. “Everyone in the church I went to was poor and happy about it. I thought that was how you served God. I never understood why God wanted it that way, but that's why I never had much to do with church after I left home.”
    She wiped her mouth before she said, “You should visit my church so that you can hear the truth. What are you doing next Sunday?”
    “You don't waste any time.” He laughed.
    “That's because you don't know how much time you have. The truth will change your life in ways you never thought possible.”
    His head bobbed as he smiled at her conviction. “Not this Sunday, but one day soon.”
    “That's all I can ask. The church you're talking about—was that in New York?”
    He nodded but his smile disappeared.
    “Which church?”
    David waved his hand in the air. “It was in Harlem, but there's a church on every corner there.”
    “Did you grow up in Harlem?”
    She watched him stiffen and, now, curiosity made her press on.
    “I spent some time there …”
    “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Her tone was casual.
    “Do you?”
    “I have a younger brother, Donovan.”
    “Does he live here?”
    “In Woodland Hills, so I don't see him much. But we're still very close. Always have been—especially since our parents died. What about you? I asked if you had any brothers and sisters and you turned the question around to me.”
    He pushed his plate away, still filled with a few fries and a half-eaten hot dog. “I'm an only child.”
    “Why
do
you do that?”
    He looked at her blankly.
    Anya said, “Whenever we're talking about you, you change the subject.”
    “I didn't realize I did that.” He pushed back his chair slightly and put on his sunglasses.
    She leaned forward. “Well, let's see if we can change that. I'll ask you questions and you answer them.”
    David picked up his plastic knife and tapped it lightly on the table. Even through the tinted glasses, Anya could see his eyes darting around the restaurant's patio. “I don't like to talk about myself.” He put down the knife, but his eyes still wouldn't meet hers.
    She studied him. “Okay, I'll buy that… for now.”
    A few moments passed before he smiled. “We're too serious. Let's have some fun.”
    Laughter rose from the next table, and Anya glanced at the couple holding hands. She brought her eyes back to David. “I'm having a good time. Aren't you?”
    “Are you kidding? I've been dreaming about taking you out.”
    She crinkled her eyes and began twisting the ring on her finger.
    His eyes dropped to her hand. “When are you getting married?”
    “I thought personal questions were off limits.”
    “For you, not for me.” His dimple winked at her.
    She hesitated for a moment. “In June.”
    “That soon?” he asked with raised eyebrows.
    “We've been engaged for a while.”
    “Oh.” He paused. “If we were engaged, I'd marry you right away.”
    Anya crossed her legs, trying to shift from the sun that baked her back. “We've been busy.”
    “Too busy to marry the man you love?”
    It was her turn to avert her eyes. She glanced at her watch. “I can't believe the time.”
    “You know what they say about time flying when you're with the right person.”
    She hid her blush by shuffling through her purse. “I've got to go. My cousin has been home alone all day.”
    David signaled for the waitress and, when she brought the check, Anya took a twenty-dollar bill from her wallet.
    David shook his head as he handed the waitress his credit card. “I don't know what kind of men you're used to dating, but when I take someone out, I pay.”
    When I take someone out! She had to set him straight. “Okay, but next time, lunch is on