When their waiter came over, she let Preacher order for her. He poured them both a glass of water.

“How was the morning sickness today?”

“It was fine. Not too bad. I wasn’t actually sick. My stomach did a turn.”

“If I’d known Bishop wasn’t there, I’d have been.”

“You don’t have to worry about constantly babysitting me. I’m used to being on my own. It’s no biggie.”

“I mind.”

“Will you shout at Bishop?”

“I’ll deal with him. If he’s wanting to earn a patch within the club, he’s got to learn to follow instruction. I’m not just his father, I’m his leader, and he will do as he’s told or else.”

“What if he doesn’t want to?”

“We’re talking about the same Bishop that screws the girls hanging around, and throws the patch around like it’s his right to do it.”

She looked away.

“Shit, I’m sorry.”

“For what? Stating the obvious? I’ve told you many times I know he’s not faithful.”

“Does that matter to you? Him being faithful?”

She went to say yes, but stopped. “It’s complicated.”

“I’d say you didn’t care. I’ve seen the way you’ve been with Bishop, which makes one wonder if you do care that he’s with other women.”

“It’s complicated because I don’t know what my feelings are for Bishop. I’ve told you before I love him. I guess I’ve never seen him as mine, and … I think if Bishop was mine, and I loved him and we were in a normal relationship, I wouldn’t want him to be with anyone else. I’d want him to stay with me. I know it’s not a given in this world.”

“You never know what could happen,” he said.

“I’m not going to hold my breath. It is what it is, and I accept it. There’s nothing else I can do but hope we can make each other happy.”

Their food was brought out, and she talked about his sketches. She asked if she could see some of his artwork. He denied her, but she was determined to see if he was any good. Just because he said he was, it didn’t make it so, but she wanted him to share a part of himself he’d never had with another woman, or anyone else.

His artwork was personal to him.

After their food, she looked onto the dance floor. Some of the couples had gotten up to dance.

“You ever danced?”

“Like a crazy person all around our house. You know that, right?”

“Ah, yes, always dancing around. I remember. You trashed one of my vases a few years back with your and Bishop’s dancing.”

“That’s us.”

Preacher stood, holding out his hand.

“What?”