Preacher's Wifey by Dishan Washington

check. Seth scribbled his room number on the ticket, authorizing the bar to charge the lunch to his room.
    Room 1213.
    â€œYou ready?” Seth asked.
    â€œYep,” I said, rising from my seat. “I must say, although it was a very short one, I enjoyed this lunch with you.”
    I was desperately trying to mask the sound of disappointment in my voice. The last thing I needed was to sound desperate or thirsty.
    â€œI enjoyed it as well. Can I walk you to the spa?”
    I mulled over his question for a second. I wanted to scream yes, but the reality was, our church was in Atlanta, and at any given moment someone could see me and mistake an innocent walk for something more. It was one of those times when I could not afford to let my good be spoken of in an evil way. It was one of the many prices you paid for living a life in a glass bowl, where everyone could see your virtues and your vices.
    â€œI don’t think that is a good idea, Seth. I mean, I would love for you to walk me there,” I confessed, “but I just do not want to risk anyone seeing us and mistaking us for a couple.”
    â€œI totally understand. Well, again, I enjoyed your company. Since you come here on a weekly basis, I guess I will see you next week, then.” It was a statement, but his tone asked a question.
    What harm could it do to see him again next week? I would be here. He would be here. Two people who happened to be at the same place at the same time. Harmless, right?
    â€œSure. I, um, usually come around the same time each week.”
    He looked down at his watch.
    â€œSo, I will see you next week right here, at one P.M. It’s a date,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.
    He was a charmer.
    â€œNo, not a date. Just a meeting,” I said.
    â€œMeeting? What will we be discussing?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.
    That was a darn good question. I had no idea, so I just smiled while I tried to quickly come up with a reply.
    â€œA long time ago, before my life went in another direction, I wanted to become a nurse.”
    â€œReally? And why didn’t you?”
    â€œI will tell you at our meeting next week,” I said. I was proud of that think-on-your-feet answer I gave him.
    He appreciated it as well.
    â€œThat is a good one, Miss Lady.” He looked at his watch again. “I don’t want to hold you any longer. But I will say this.” He leaned in closer to my left ear. “I absolutely cannot wait to see you again next week. It will be all I think about until then.”
    And with that he walked away.
    The heat from his words set my soul and my body on fire. I was afraid to turn around and see which direction he went in, because I did not trust my feet to stay put and not run behind him. Something I could not explain was slowly taking over me, for while I truly wanted to make things work with Byran, Seth was beginning to take my attention off of home, and he had done it in a short span of time.
    I waited for about five minutes before I felt it was safe to turn around. I looked down every hallway I passed to see if I could catch another glimpse of him. He was definitely eye candy to a sweet eye. Standing over six foot tall, with good, thick, wavy hair that was just long enough to run the tips of your nails through and beautiful brown eyes—he was temptation wrapped up in the best-looking complexion I had seen. Byran was fine, but he wasn’t that fine.
    I pushed open the door to the spa, signed the check-in list, and waited for them to call my name. I browsed the retail products and made a mental note to purchase some facial products that I had run out of at home. Afterward, I picked up a magazine, flipped through the pages, and tried to pretend my mind was not being invaded by thoughts of Seth. I found myself smiling for no reason.
    Finally, the receptionist signaled it was time for my relaxation to begin. I could not have been happier. I was ready to rid myself of all