A Test of Faith

“So, you said you wanted to talk to me,” Joshua treaded carefully, drawing her attention back to reason why she was sitting in his truck. “What’s going on?”

Jeanette fidgeted with the ends of her long braids. “Well, I wanted you to know that I’m sorry again for what happened last summer.” Her eyes barely escaped his as she looked away from him.

“But nothing happened,” Joshua clarified. He had heard the rumors too and there was nothing to them.

“True, nothing actually happened, but I wanted you to know that I wasn’t trying to break up a happy marriage.” She placed a hand lightly atop his forearm. “After we spent all that time talking when you helped me with my flat tire, I don’t know, I thought it was true that you and your wife were separated. At the time, I heard she was out of town and you didn’t say much about her. People were talking like you guys weren’t together.” She removed her hand and looked him squarely in the eyes. “I’m no homewrecker.”

“Jeanette, I never said you were.”

She took his words as a compliment, blushing as he looked at her.

“That’s old news and there was no harm done.”

“But I kissed you.”

“That’s behind us.” He dismissed it because he hadn’t kissed her back. In fact, Joshua pushed her away from him, making it clear that he wasn’t going to jeopardize what he had with his wife.

Jeanette gazed at Joshua, wondering if he would’ve pursued something with her had he not been married. He had made it clear to her that he was not that type of guy. She was no stranger to attractive men enjoying her company, but for some reason Joshua was different.

“That’s water under the bridge,” he reiterated. “I’ve let it go.”

“So, we’re cool?” Jeanette raised a brow.

“Yeah.” Joshua treaded carefully. “We’re cool.”

“Okay, I just didn’t want there to be this weird tension between us, you know.”

Joshua shook his head. “None here.”

“Good.” Jeanette smiled and reached for the door handle. “That’s basically all I wanted to say. I guess I’ll see you around.”

“All right.” Joshua started his truck. “Have a good vacation.”

Jeanette nodded, almost disappointedly, as she opened the door and stepped out of his vehicle. She watched as Joshua backed out of the parking space and waved as he drove past her.

Joshua looked in his rearview window and shook his head. Jeanette was a beautiful woman, but he still loved his wife. Although Gayle had broken his trust, he wasn’t going to betray hers. He could practically have any woman he wanted where Gayle would never find out about it, but he didn’t want them. Besides, his conscious and commitment to keep the vows he made before God was not about to let him. Regardless of what some of his friends had admitted to doing behind their wives backs, that wasn’t Joshua’s M.O. (modus operandi).