Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Hi, everyone.”
Michelle looked up at the sound of Chloe’s voice. Her friend’s smiled froze as she took in the unfamiliar faces and slowly her look turned into one of confusion. Chloe’s eyes darted around the room and stopped when they landed on Darryl. A blank mask stole across her face as Chloe made her way toward the kitchen.
Michelle went around the counter and met her friend in a hug. “Hey, girl, how are you?”
“Good. But I almost thought I was at the wrong house.”
She laughed, hoping to ease her friends tension. “I invited Tanya and Guy invited his secretary, Holly, who invited her friend, Jordan. It’s a mouthful, I know.”
Chloe glanced toward Darryl. “So that’s Jordan?”
“Yes, she seems really nice.”
“Uh huh.”
Uh oh. Was Chloe actually jealous? “You okay, Chlo?”
Chloe looked at her. “Of course.”
The fakest smile Michelle had ever seen took up residence on Chloe’s face. What happened to her steadfastness? She could always count on Chloe to be reliable. To keep things on an even keel. “Chloe, you know you can talk to me, right?”
Her friend’s dark eyes softened. “I do. I’m working through it, Chelle.”
“Okay.” She hugged her friend again.
“Hey, can I get everyone’s attention?”
She let Chloe go and looked toward Evan. “Welcome everyone. I know we have a few new people, so I’ll introduce everyone really quick.” He shifted on the crutches. “I’ll go around the room. I’m Evan. This is Jo, Guy, Darryl, Jordan, Holly, Tanya, Michelle, and Chloe.”
“For the newbies, welcome. We’ll sit down with the food and get down to business as soon as Guy finishes cooking the kabobs. He was late.”
Guy groaned while everyone else laughed.
“Before that, I wanted to say something. As most of you know, I had a battle with the prosthetics and crutches and well...my crutches are here to stay.” He grinned. “Thankfully, God blessed me with a woman who loves me as I am.” Evan cleared his throat.
Michelle eyed her friend and almost laughed at the embarrassment upon her face.
“After my accident, I didn’t think I would have a chance at happiness but the Lord proved me wrong.”
Her heartbeat picked up speed. Why was Evan making a speech? The majority of them knew how he felt about Jo. Unless he was going to....
He opened the kitchen drawer and drew out a rectangular jewelry box.
She frowned. She thought for sure he was going to propose, not give the girl a necklace.
“Jo, I wanted to give you something as a token of my love for you.” He placed the box in her open hands.
“Ev.” A sappy look filled her face. Jo opened the box and even from across the room, Michelle could tell her friend’s hands were shaking. But the moment she opened the box, Jo stilled.
What’s in the box?
Her friend’s eyes darted back and forth as if she was reading something. She covered her mouth and looked at Evan. “Ev?”
His grin remained fixed on his face but it held a hint of nerves. Slowly, he took his crutches and laid them against the wall. He clung to the side of the kitchen island as he lowered himself to kneel on his right knee.
Chloe gasped beside her.
Michelle’s mouth dropped open.
“JoJo, I thought you made me happy when you agreed to give me another chance. Only, that doesn’t compare to how happy you’ll make me if you agree to be my wife. Marry me, Jo?”
“Yes!”
Michelle wiped at the tears that ran down her face. Her heart felt like it could burst with happiness for the couple as the two embraced. Jo turned around and Evan clasped the necklace around her neck.
“What does the necklace say?” Tanya asked.
Hear, hear!
Jo sniffled. “It says ‘engaged’ and has today’s date on it. There’s a diamond ring pendant attached.”
How perfect. How could she forget Jo wouldn’t be able to wear a ring while working. She walked over and clapped Evan on the back. “Good job.”
His eyes seemed to twinkle with excitement. “Thanks. I’m a genius if I do say so.”
“Ha.” She hugged Jo. “I’m so happy for you.” She pulled back. “So happy.”
“Thanks, Chelle.” Jo leaned and hugged her again. “You’re next.”’
“No way,” she whispered back.
She and Guy had too many issues to work through and their relationship had just started. He had kids. She didn’t. She had a secret. He didn’t. He’d even made the plunge regarding Christ already. She didn’t deserve him and knew it.
Once the food was ready, they settled around the dining table. Michelle sat between Chloe and Tanya. She couldn’t help but notice how often Chloe glanced toward Darryl. He had sat between Guy and Jordan. Of course, he hadn’t said two words to Guy but had been talking to Jordan since the moment she walked in.
“So how does this work?” Holly asked.
Evan leaned forward. “One of us picks a Scripture to talk about. Last time Jo talked about helping others who have been through similar experience. Once Chloe talked about grace.”
“Okay,” Guy’s secretary replied. “What’s the topic tonight and who’s leading it?”
Michelle glanced at Holly, surprised she seemed into the study. Holly turned and caught her gaze and smiled shyly. Had she read the girl wrong? Maybe she was just shy and didn’t have an attitude. Wouldn’t be the first time she was wrong.
“I’m leading it,” Darryl said.
Chloe inhaled sharply. She reached for her friend’s hand under the table. Chloe gripped it like her life depended on it. Her hand was going to look like a rheumatoid arthritis patient afterward.
“What’s the topic?” Jo asked.
“Truth.”
She dropped Chloe’s hand as if it had seared her. Why couldn’t people leave things in the past?
Darryl cleared his throat. “If everyone’s ready to start, please turn to John chapter eight. I’m going to read from verse thirty-one to thirty-five.”
As he read, his voice came out clear and confident. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Time stopped. The roaring in her ears drowned out the rest of the words. The truth shall make you free? What
