The Pastor’s Wife

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Please. If you ever had any feelings for me, please. Just give me ten minutes, then I’ll leave you alone.”

  Terrance sighed, then stepped aside and let her in.

  Savannah turned to face him as soon as he closed the door. “Tell me you didn’t feel anything for me. You might not have truly been in love with me, but you were on your way. I know it. I felt it.”

  He ran his hands over his head. “Truthfully, I did have feelings for you. Or I thought I did.” Terrance blew an exasperated breath. “Come in the living room and sit down. We do need to talk.”

  Savannah felt a flutter in her heart. The anger seemed to have disappeared from his body. “Terrance, I can’t begin to tell—”

  “No,” he said, cutting her off. “Let me talk.” He sat down next to her and took her hand. “Savannah, you are a very sweet woman. Yes, there were some things that as a minister made me very uneasy, but you know I really did like you. I can even say I felt myself falling in love with you.”

  “Then what’s the problem?” Savannah softly said. “If you want me to change some of my ways, I promise I can work on them.”

  “No, it’s not that.” He looked like he was choosing his words carefully. “There is some man out there that will take you just as you are. A man who you don’t have to change for.”

  “But I want you,” she said, rubbing his face. She couldn’t believe how desperate she was sounding. But she was desperate.

  Terrance gently removed her hands. “Savannah, I’m so sorry I ever led you on. But, the more I think about it, it just wouldn’t work.”

  “Why, because of those people at church? I can win them over. Just give me a chance.”

  Terrance got up and began pacing across the room. “It’s not just that.” He inhaled. “I’ve thought long and hard about this. Finding out you lied about the pregnancy is not the real reason it won’t work between us. We don’t have a future because, well, it’s just that…my heart lies with someone else.” He looked at Savannah, and it took everything in her power for her not to cry.

  “Raquel?”

  “Yes.” Terrance looked relieved to get that off his chest. “I have always had a special relationship with Raquel, but I think I just tried to deny how I really felt about her. Besides, she was engaged and, well, the timing just wasn’t right.”

  “So, it’s right now?” Savannah’s voice was a mixture of pain and anger.

  “Please understand, this is not something I planned. It just happened. The heart wants what it wants.”

  Savannah stood and angrily tossed her purse on the table. “Save that Hallmark bull for somebody else. You’ve wanted that little tramp all along, but she probably wouldn’t give you the time of day. Now that she will, you wanna just kick me to the curb,” Savanna hissed.

  Terrance could tell from the look on Savannah’s face that his news wasn’t going over too well.

  “Savannah, it’s not like that. I contemplated whether I should tell you, but I figured I needed to be honest with you—even though you weren’t honest with me,” he threw in.

  “So just like that, we’re done?” Savannah asked, ignoring his dig at her.

  “It’s not just like that,” Terrance protested.

  “So, Reverend”—Savannah put her hands on her hips—“have you slept with Miss Raquel, too? Or, wait, let me guess. You want to keep her pure and use me to get your rocks off.”

  “Savannah, you know better than that.”

  “Do I?” So much for trying to take the sweet approach. “You probably never intended on having a relationship with me in the first place. I was just something to do until Raquel decided she wanted you in her life. I was just a way to get your manly needs fulfilled, is that it? Did the fact that I gave my body to you mean anything?”

  Terrance gave her a look to see if she was serious, considering all the men she was rumored to have slept with. He quickly caught himself. None of those rumors had ever been confirmed. And if he didn’t believe them before, he knew he shouldn’t give them credence now.

  “Savannah, I just got caught up in the lust of the flesh. I should have never let that happen.”

  “But it did happen. And you said you loved me when we made love.”

  Terrance racked his brain. He couldn’t for the life of him remember saying that. But she had been so good in bed, and it had been so long for him, that he was liable to have said anything in the heat of the moment.

  “I don’t recall saying that, and if I did, I’m sorry. But I care about you, I do.”

  She blew a disgusted breath. “Whatever. You try to act all holy and stuff, you’re nothing but a lying, low-down snake like the rest of the men out there.”

  Terrance closed his eyes and shook his head.

  “Let me explain something to you, Reverend,” Savannah began, her voice laced with attitude. “You don’t play with a woman’s emotions and think it’s over just because you say it’s over.”

  “Savannah, please don’t make this ugly.”

  She let out a maniacal laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Sweetie, trust me when I say things aren’t going to get ugly. In fact, they’ll be quite beautiful.”

  Terrance shot her a perplexed look. “What does that mean?”

  Savannah flashed him a smile as she headed to the door. “It means, darling, that this”—she pointed between the two of them—“isn’t over. In fact, we haven’t even begun. I’ll be in touch.”

  Savannah left Terrance looking more confused than ever as she headed back to her car. She hadn’t wanted to go this route, but Terrance had left her no choice. It was time for the trump card, the one that would ensure she’d get exactly what she wanted.

  chapter 36

  “Okay, I’m not understanding this,” Tyra said after the waiter had taken their drink orders and left them alone at the small corner table.

  “What’s there not to understand?” Savannah asked, kicking back in her chair and motioning around the room. They were at the Red Cat, a jazz restaurant in downtown Houston. The place was packed, as usual. “We’ve got great music, drinks are on the way. We’re about to celebrate.”

  “That’s just it. What are we celebrating for? You said Terrance didn’t take you back.”

  “He didn’t.” Savannah smiled brightly.

  “Then why are you grinning like you hit the Lotto or something?”

  “I did.”

  Tyra leaned in and sniffed. “You sure you haven’t already been drinking?”

  Savannah had been in an unusually happy mood since she’d called an hour ago and told Tyra to meet her at the Red Cat. Tyra had asked her what had happened at Terrance’s, but all Savannah would say was that he reiterated that it was over and that he was pursuing a relationship with his secretary.

  Savannah laughed. “Girl, I have not been drinking. Yet. This is a celebration of my soon-to-be life as Mrs. Terrance Ellis and the first lady of Lily Grove Missionary Baptist Church.”

  Tyra shook her head. “Didn’t you say that not only did he refuse to give you another shot, but that he was involved with someone else?”

  “Oh, she’s nobody.” Savannah waved off.

  “Savannah McKinney, would you please stop beating around the bush and tell me what’s going on,” Tyra demanded.

  The waiter returned and placed Savannah’s apple martini in front of her and Tyra’s rum and Coke in front of her. “Will there be anything else?” he asked.

  “Not yet,” Savannah said. “But please keep our tab open as we’ll want to keep the drinks coming.”

  The waiter nodded and took off. He had just stepped away when a tall, handsome Morris Chestnut–looking man made his way over to their table.

  “Excuse me,” he said, never taking his eyes off Savannah. “My name is Lance and I was just wondering if I could buy you two ladies a drink.”

  Tyra displayed a big, cheesy grin. Savannah turned up her nose as she looked him up a
nd down.

  “Lance, we can buy our own drinks,” Savannah snidely responded. Tyra shot her a confused look.

  Lance chuckled. “I’m sure you can. But I was just hoping to, you know, take a moment of your time to get to know you better.”

  “Well, thanks, but no thanks. We’re kinda having a private conversation here,” Savannah rudely replied.

  Lance nodded, trying not to let his dejection show. “All right. Didn’t mean to be a bother. You ladies have a nice evening.”

  “Have you lost your mind?” Tyra whispered as soon as he walked off. “Did you see how fine he was?”

  Savannah dismissed him with a wave of the hand. “Girl, please. I’m not trying to hook up with some dude in the club. I have me a real man.” She took a sip of her drink and leaned back.

  “Okay, this whole new level of confidence is creepy. The old Savannah would have jumped at the chance to talk to a man as fine as that dude. You need to tell me what is going on.”

  Savannah looked like she could no longer contain her excitement. “Okay, I guess I won’t keep you hanging anymore.” She beamed.

  “Thank you,” Tyra huffed. “Now tell me, why are you so sure that you and Terrance are going to be together? Especially after he told you a hundred times that it’s over.”

  “Because I have an ace in the hole.”

  “An ace in the hole?”

  “That’s what I said.”

  “Well, what is it?”

  “Now that, I’m not going to be able to tell you.”

  Tyra rolled her eyes. “You and all this double-oh-seven spy mess ’bout to drive me crazy.”

  Savannah laughed. “Seriously, just trust me on this. I have a little secret about the good reverend that will ensure that he will see things my way.”

  “Ooooh,” Tyra said, intrigued. “You playing dirty for real. That’s the Savannah I know and love.”

  “I didn’t want to, but he’s left me no choice.”

  “Are you setting him up or something?”

  “No, I didn’t even have to do anything like that. Let’s just say God sent me a little nugget to make all my dreams come true.”

  Tyra looked like she was deep in thought for a minute. “Savannah, you know you’re my girl and I love you, right?”

  Savannah nodded. “I know. I love you, too. But why are you saying that?”

  “Are you sure that you want to get Terrance this way? I mean, do you really want to blackmail him into being with you?”

  Savannah lost her smile. “Really, I don’t, Tyra. But I love this man. He’s everything I want and need in my life. And I know that he can love me, too. I can be a good wife, if he would just give me the chance. So, no, this isn’t the way I wanted to get him to be with me, but I gotta do what I gotta do.”

  Tyra seemed satisfied with Savannah’s answer because she smiled. “I feel you. You do you.” She raised her glass in a toast. “To a wonderful future with the man you love.”

  Savannah clinked her glass with Tyra’s.

  “And you’re not going to tell me this secret for real?” Tyra asked after they both took sips of their drinks.

  “Eventually I will. I just can’t right now, okay?”

  “Cool.” Tyra set her drink down. “I say, whatever your plan is, more power to you.”

  Savannah smiled at her friend. “Thank you, girl. That’s why I’m going to let you be in my wedding,” Savannah joked.

  “Baby, from all the drama you guys have so far, you’d better believe I wouldn’t miss the wedding for the world.”

  They both laughed as thoughts of a life with Terrance filled Savannah’s head.

  chapter 37

  Terrance silently exhaled as he looked up and saw Savannah standing in the doorway of his office. Would she ever give up? He’d tried to end things amicably, but she just didn’t seem to want to take no for an answer. He and Raquel had grown even closer over the last two weeks, and he didn’t need any unnecessary drama. Dolan was causing enough of that. He’d been stalking Raquel and threatening to make her pay for leaving him. They’d even gone yesterday and gotten an order of protection against him, like that really mattered though because Dolan definitely wasn’t the type who cared about a piece of paper. He had Raquel so spooked that she’d taken to sleeping with a knife under her pillow. Terrance had tried to convince her to come stay with him awhile, but she’d settled into her apartment and didn’t want to put him out.

  “Hello, Savannah,” Terrance said, trying to be cordial, but making sure she knew he wasn’t exactly greeting her with open arms. For once he found himself wishing Raquel was at her desk so she could screen his visitors, but she was at a doctor’s appointment. Raquel wouldn’t have been able to stop Savannah anyway.

  “Hello to you,” Savannah said, sashaying in. She wore a hot-pink, tight dress that clung to her body and reminded Terrance why she would’ve never made a proper first lady.

  “What can I help you with?” he asked, hoping whatever it was, she’d make it quick. He didn’t mean to be so harsh, but he’d tried to take the diplomatic route with her and it just wasn’t working.

  “How have you been?” she asked, taking a seat in front of his desk.

  Terrance set down his pen and looked her directly in the eyes. “Fine. And again, what can I help you with?”

  Savannah did a sexy shudder. “Oooooh, so formal.” She leaned forward. “There’s no need to be so formal, Terrance, especially for someone who’s known such intimate parts of me.”

  Terrance sighed. “Savannah, let’s not do this.”

  “Do what, Pastor?” She batted her eyelashes as she leaned back and crossed her legs. “Oh, let me guess, you’re worried that your little girlfriend will come in here and see us,” Savannah said when she noticed him looking toward his door, which she had closed when she walked in.

  “Savannah, is there a reason you stopped by?” Terrance huffed.

  She brushed her dress down as she sat up straight. “Actually, there is.” She flashed a devilish smile. “I had hoped you’d fall in love with me willingly.”

  “Savannah—”

  She held up her hand. “Let me finish. Honestly, I think you were on your way, but because of reasons beyond my control, that just didn’t happen. So now, I have to take matters into my own hands. I have to take what I can get.”

  He eyed her suspiciously.

  She chuckled. “Let me rephrase that. I guess I will take you however I can.”

  Now he knew she was crazy. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  Her expression turned serious as she lowered her voice and fingered her hair. “It means, when your little secretary bimbo comes back in here, you will inform her that you have decided to give our relationship another chance. And you will give us another chance. You will let everyone at the church know that God has directed you to follow your heart, and your heart lies with me. We will be together, and in time for the Christmas celebration, so you don’t have to worry about losing your job,” she said matter-of-factly.

  Terrance looked at her like she’d lost her mind. She had to have lost her mind. “Excuse me?” he finally muttered.

  She leaned back and crossed her legs, making sure her thigh was peeking out of the slit in the dress.

  “Are you crazy?” he asked.

  “On the contrary. I’m quite sane. I really and truly hate that it had to come to this, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”

  Terrance had to chuckle himself. “Savannah, you really have lost it. What part of ‘It’s over between us’ don’t you get?”

  “No part.” She shrugged nonchalantly. “Because we’re not over.” She stood. “I can’t wait to see the looks on everyone’s faces when they see us together.”

  “Savannah!” Terrance yelled, hoping to snap her back to her senses. “Are you on some kind of drug? There is no us! There will never be an us.”

  She smiled again. “Ahhh, but that’s where you’re wrong, boo. You wanna know why y
ou’re wrong?” She was toying with him now and enjoying every minute of it. She had to show him that she wasn’t one to be played with.

  Terrance peered at her, his eyes begging her to make some sense of what she was saying. “Well,” she said, sitting back down, “since you asked. You know how you like to pray so much? How you’re always going to God asking Him to forgive you for your sins—although if you ask once, I can’t see why you have to keep asking—but I’m getting off track. Well, I just so happened to overhear one of your down-on-your-knees sessions when I came to meet you at the church one day. I initially just stood back to give you your time with God. I never expected to hear what I heard.”

  Terrance’s eyes got big as she detailed word for word his almost-daily prayer for forgiveness. A prayer he’d done for years. A prayer he knew God had already answered, but one he felt compelled to deliver daily nonetheless.

  “And see,” she said, triumphantly finishing up what she’d overheard, “I know how you would just rather die than let anyone know your little”—she paused and chuckled—“or shall I say humongous, secret, which would not only leave those you know and love devastated, but would change the way everyone sees their good ol’ pastor.”

  Savannah stood again. “So, the way I see it, being with me is a small price to pay to keep your secret.”

  “I…I can’t believe you would do this,” he finally managed to say.

  She narrowed her eyes, the smile leaving her face. “Believe it. I tried the nice, sweet girl route and all it got me was used and abused. You’re just like every other man in my life, so I’m going to use you like you used me.”

  “Don’t you feel bad about blackmailing someone into being with you?” Terrance seemed to be grasping at straws.

  “Did you feel bad when you—a so-called man of the cloth—climbed into my bed? Told me you loved me? Nope, I don’t feel bad at all.” She strutted to the door. “In fact, I feel quite good. After all, I’m about to become first lady of Lily Grove. What’s not to be happy about?” She turned around just as she reached the door. Terrance’s face looked like it had lost all of its color.