Zenith in Love (Zenith Series #5) - Leanne Davis Page 0,30

most intelligent person I ever met? I mean, really? We all think that. Me. Kathy. Rob, Rebecca, Kayla… You get the picture. You never knew that?”

Kayla’s name made him wince. He couldn’t fathom all of them sharing some kind of consensus about him being smart.

“I didn’t imagine that. No.”

“You’re a good guy. I’m not half as good for what I did. But I want you to know I’ll never forget how decent you were in this situation. And with me. Even today. Please come back. I wasn’t kidding when I said I really like you. I enjoy your company. I love your sermons but I just love Kathy a little more.”

He tilted his head in curiosity. “You love Kathy?”

He glanced away. “Well, I haven’t announced it yet. But I wouldn’t have done all that for a fling. I mean, it was pretty extreme for me. Went against my personal ethics and all that. So it’s kinda pivotal.”

Grabbing the doorknob, Jim unlocked it and said, “I’m glad to hear that. I want her to find true love. I guess, once I realized we didn’t have that… well, there’s no one who deserves it more than she does.”

“Well, shit, Jim. What about you? You do too. You wouldn’t be happy in a loveless marriage. So remember that. You deserve to find love too.”

He wasn’t eloquent. Eric couldn’t spin words into poetry like Jim could. Jim had a gift: the ability to string words together into a beautiful symphony that could last an hour. His prayers to God were ten minutes long. Soothing words of poetry and sentiment, with meaningful quotes, stories and scriptures woven in. Just the right amount of morality to avoid being boring and sanctimonious while getting his message across.

Yet, Eric’s simple statement was the clearest message Jim ever received.

And no one ever told Jim that before.

Well, they did about God’s love, yes. But human love? No, not particularly.

Jim nodded. With a quick smile, he answered, “Thank you, Eric.”

“Bye, Jim. Come back. And don’t forget the pop and candy.”

He stepped out as he waved and promised, “Pop and candy.”

Closing the door behind him with a click, he smiled again. When he turned towards the front door, he stopped short. Startled.

Kayla?

She stood in the entryway right where he prepared to step. Her eyes were huge and her mouth turned into a frown. Was she shocked? Surprised? Indifferent? Uncaring?

His stomach flipped and his hands fisted. What should he say? How should he act? Why was this so hard? He was a grown man who led a large church and looked after many parishioners and yet this girl, this woman, had his stomach churning in knots. Instantly.

All he could think about since their night together was every single feeling he had during every single moment of it. He relived it often in graphic detail, the memory of everything they did.

Her hair fell loose and free around her face. She looked so casual and sexy, he remembered why he always picked a fight with her. It was the only way he knew to deny his attraction to her. Sometimes, it slammed through him like a truck just hit him.

Jim desired her and was drawn to her in every way. Keeping her at a distance from him was the only solution he could think of. After spending only one hour beside him on his couch, look what happened?

Kayla was nice. Her brand of it. Not Kathy’s. They were distinctly different. But also, kind of the same. Kathy’s caring, concern and compassion extended to all people around her at all times. Kayla had a fierce loyalty for the people closest to her, and her honesty wasn’t always nice, but she said her opinions with integrity and truth.

Kayla was confident and real. Easy to talk to, but even easier to argue with. Fun to argue with. No one was as invigorating as Kayla Randall for sparring words. In truth, no one else really bothered to argue or discuss controversial issues with him. As pastor, he tried to project his best self. Exquisite manners, quiet demeanor, and calm reserve. He was a great listener after he learned that most people preferred to listen to themselves speak. One reason why he chose the profession he did was so he could often hear people speak their minds. His job demanded his ability to address the congregation in a convincing way. But he was always polite, formal, and professional. He rarely discussed his personal feelings and opinions. He was a master