“What?” Jorden hadn’t been listening. Her thoughts were still focused on the movie.

“Come on, Jorden. Have you heard a word?” Alex chided her.

“It’s okay.” Luke repeated their plans. “You know where Kempton’s Lanes are, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. We’ll meet you there around seven.” Jorden did her best to appear cheerful. “Sounds like fun.”

Chapter 64: June 1970

Chapter 64

June 1970

Jorden barely said a word on the drive back to their apartment.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m just thinking about the movie. It troubled me. I can’t get it out of my mind.”

“I’ll cheer you up, I promise. We still have plenty of time; it’s not quite midnight.” Alex held Jorden’s hand until they arrived back at their place. After he escorted her inside, his eyes strayed toward the bedroom.

An hour or so later, Alex stirred from a light sleep. Feeling his movement, Jorden sensed his gaze. “What is it Alex? You look so serious.”

“I’m worried. Don’t you think we are taking too many chances? I know you don’t want to get pregnant before the wedding. You need to let me know when it’s safe for us.”

“Aren’t you a little late asking that question?” Jorden countered.

“I’m serious, we need to talk about this.” Alex let a long lock of Jorden’s soft hair slip through his fingers.

Jorden remained silent. How would he react if she told him she was on birth control pills?

“What is it?” Alex looked directly at her in the dimmed light.

Jorden watched Alex’s chest rise and fall rather than focus on his eyes. She took a deep breath. “We are safe. I saw a doctor in April . . . and . . . I got a prescription for birth control pills. I was going to tell you.”

“When? Is this how it’s going to be after we’re married? You’re going behind my back?”

“No! You’re being so unfair. Of course I won’t be. I’m being open with you now,” Jorden countered.

“I don’t want you taking those pills. You need to stop them! Finish out this month’s supply, and promise me you’ll throw the rest out.”

Jorden felt cornered. Her eyes narrowed with resentment. “I . . . I want to be safe during our first year of marriage. You’ll be in law school and I hope to be teaching. This isn’t a good time for us to have a baby. You wrote the same in a couple of your letters.”