Dirty Playboy - Alex Wolf Page 0,102

love it here so much, and I’m not sure I’ll ever find another church like it if I end up leaving.

Decker glances around nervously, like he might get hit with lightning at any moment. It’s nice to see him look nervous for once. The brothers always strut around like nothing in the entire world can faze them. The humility is nice in a weird way, eases a little of the anxiety.

“Well, come on.” I wave them forward. “Saved seats up front for the whole family. And don’t hesitate to get up and take pictures during everything, whatever you want. It won’t bother anyone, it’s totally normal.”

Once we get to the front, I usher them all in, Donavan and Paisley last. It’s so they’ll be on the end of the aisle and they can get up with Payton when it’s time and not trip over the rest of the family.

Donavan takes a seat, and Paisley reaches out for my forearm. “You sure you’re okay?”

I nod, and plaster on a fake smile. It has to be completely obvious I’m not, but it’s what you do in these situations. What else can you do? “Yeah.”

“Mary?” She leans in a little.

“I will be.”

“Okay. If you need anything—well, you know.”

“I’ll reach out, but don’t worry about me right now. Please, just enjoy this moment with your family. It’s a beautiful thing.”

“Thank you.” She gives me a hug, then takes a seat.

I move to the row behind them, in the seat next to the aisle, so I can help them out when it’s time to get up, if they need it.

The music starts and Pastor Jeremiah walks down to the front of the church and faces the congregation. The service proceeds normally. We sing the worship songs, and Jeremiah delivers the message. Some of the brothers shift uncomfortably during the ceremony, and I grin. I don’t know if any of the words are sinking in, but good for them for coming. I love how close-knit their family is, even if they are as dysfunctional as anyone else, despite their wealth and success. It humanizes them in a way that bleeds over to how I see them in the workplace as well. It makes work more tolerable, knowing how fallible they are, to know they’re capable of making mistakes too.

All the gossip and family theatrics seem petty and unprofessional at times, but secretly, I kind of enjoy it. It makes the office environment real and not artificial.

This is the third Sunday of every month, when we do the dedications and baptisms. I always look forward to it. There’s something spiritual about a baptism that can’t really be captured in any other way. It’s always a unique experience. The symbolism is powerful with every person who emerges from the water. Right when they come out it always moves me, shifts my foundation a little, reminds me God is alive and is at work in people.

Sometimes, I think maybe that’s what I need right now. Something to set me on a new path. A separation from recent events to get me back in the right lane. I don’t regret falling for Rick, and if I had a chance to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change anything. I’m a different person now that he came into my life, but he showed me my true potential for happiness, and Jeremiah was right, partially. Maybe I came into Rick’s life to alter his path, but he altered mine as well. Now, I know what my heart is capable of, and if I take anything away from us being together, it’s that I have a huge capacity for love to share with others—with the world.

Pastor Jeremiah announces the dedication, and calls Donavan and Paisley to bring Payton up in front of the church. I stand up in case they need any help. Donavan pulls her from the carrier, and the look of pure love on his face, on Paisley’s face—it melts my heart. That child is their whole world. It’s like a little bubble around them, and all the focus is on Payton, the way it should be.

Her tiny little finger wraps around his thumb, and he cradles his baby, but not just her. His arms wrap around her innocence, and Paisley brushes her hand on Payton’s cheek as Pastor Jeremiah dedicates her to the Lord. It’s beautiful.

I glance over at the rest of the Collins family, all smiling from ear-to-ear, even Harlow. They all nod as Pastor Jeremiah calls for