Lightning Kissed

  BONDING CEREMONIES SHOULD BE OVERSEEN BY THE SYNOD.

  Holding Colby like that, in the home of my parents, listening to her say words I thought I’d only hear through dire circumstances—I fell more in love with her.

  There was something so pure and raw about her like this. It pained me to think that being like this was uncomfortable. She still struggled with emotional displays. But a little discomfort in a relationship isn’t always a bad thing—especially for Colby. The girl needed to be brought down a few levels.

  “I think you should go to bed,” I said as I squeezed her waist.

  “Why? Come on, I just confessed my undying love. It was a breakthrough. Let’s flash to the Great Wall and let me shout it out!”

  Leave it to Colby to have an emotional breakthrough in the middle of my existential crisis.

  “Let’s wait until we see your grandmother and find out whatever in the hell I am supposed to do before we begin the shouting, please.”

  She sighed. “I guess you’re right. Always playing it safe. Tomorrow, you will face the dragon lady, Rebekah. And we have to tell my mom. Okay?”

  “Of course. Your grandmother loves me. In this relationship, she’ll probably be more concerned about you bringing me down.”

  She feigned insult and then shrugged one shoulder. “Actually, you’re right. Goodnight, Theo.”

  “Goodnight, Colby.”