Silver Lining by Wanda B. Campbell Page A

what little time I have.”
    Kevin smiled and tightened his grip. It pleased him that Marlissa really wanted to spend more time with him. “’Lissa, if I ask you to quit your night job, would you?”
    â€œI haven’t heard that in a long time,” Marlissa said in reference to Kevin’s pet name for her.
    â€œIt’s been a long time since I’ve wanted to call you that.” Kevin broke the uneasy silence that followed. “Well, would you?”
    â€œWhy would you want me to do that?”
    â€œIt’s like you said, with you working two jobs, that doesn’t leave much time for us to work on building a relationship. If it’s money you’re worried about, I’ll make up the difference. But if we’re going to give this a serious try, spending time together is extremely critical.”
    Marlissa thought for a long moment. “What if we don’t work out and Leon moves back home?”
    â€œThen I’ll assist you in securing a place. I’ll even cosign for you.”
    Marlissa quietly evaluated his proposal. In his subtle way, Kevin was expressing his desire to provide for her. It was never his desire for his wife to work one job; two was completely out of the question. Kevin was also conveying how much he wanted to be with her; he just wasn’t ready to totally commit. She had to regain his trust, and this was Kevin’s way of testing her level of commitment.
    â€œAll right, I’ll quit tomorrow morning.”
    â€œDoes that mean you’ll be free for dinner tomorrow?” he asked, squeezing her hand.
    â€œWhere do you have in mind?”
    â€œElephant Bar, then a movie.”
    â€œIt’s a date, Dr. Jennings.” Marlissa smiled, then looked down at her watch. “It’s past my bedtime, I still have a day job, remember?”
    â€œAnd I have two surgeries in the morning,” Kevin added, rising to his feet.
    The walk back to the complex was quiet, but it was a different tranquility than they’d experienced on the walk down. The night sky appeared clearer and the stars more brilliant. This stillness was one of understanding, and, in a small way, acceptance. This round Kevin didn’t hold her hand, opting instead to relax his arm around her shoulder.
    â€œI enjoyed being with you tonight,” he said once they reached the complex. “I really enjoyed Bible Study, and I even enjoyed meeting your nosey church members.” They shared a stiff laugh.
    â€œThey just love me, that’s all.”
    So do I , he thought, but didn’t voice it.
    Marlissa took the initiative and settled the nervous silence that followed. “Can I have a good night kiss?”
    Kevin smiled and moved closer to her. “I thought you’d never ask.”
    â€œJust for future reference, don’t wait for me to ask. Since when does a man need permission to kiss his wife?”
    Kevin quickly pushed away the negative memory that rushed to the forefront of his mind. This was the new Marlissa, not the one who rejected him. He lifted her chin, then lowered his lips to hers, and, for the moment, savored the type of contentment a man could only find in his wife. Then, just when he thought the thrill would end, Marlissa parted her lips and sent him spiraling deeper into ecstasy.
    â€œI love you,” she whispered once they separated.
    â€œI know.” And he did know. Kevin felt the profundity of her emotions in her kiss. “Talk to you in the morning.” Tonight he waited until she was securely inside the elevator before heading to his car.

Chapter 11
    â€œB aby, please try to understand my position.” Leon’s pleading wasn’t enough to convince Starla that her husband wasn’t hiding something from her. For the third consecutive time, Leon had cancelled his visit with the boys because of his changing work schedule. “I don’t make enough money as it is. I can’t just tell my