Bathed In Sin

The scraping of the metal chairs against the stone patio made me jump as the sun burned my eyes. I set Austin’s coffee down and settled in to wait for him while the church bells began to chime. The sounds, heavy and wanting, instantly brought me back to the Mass services of my youth. Maybe that’s why I always chose this coffee shop, right next to the Catholic church I went to as a kid. I hadn’t been to church in years, but the sound of those bells instantly plunged me back into the front row pews, being told I was going to Hell. I pulled out my book and began to read, knowing it could be an hour before he showed up. Families bustled past me, dressed in their Sunday best. Mostly they ignored me, just how I liked it.

“Hey girl! I’m so sorry. I got caught up and lost track of time,” Austin said as he wrapped me in a hug.

“If you started showing up on time, I think I would rush you to the ER,” I joked.

“Hey now, I’ll have you know it is fashionable to be late.”

“How could I forget?”

“Now close that book because I have tea to spill.”

I laughed as I stood up to hug him. “It better be hot enough to make me forgive how long you left me here alone with these vultures.”

“Girl, you would not believe the hook-up I had last night.”

“Tell me every...