Rising Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

Paris countered. “Why are you still boyfriend and girlfriend?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Why aren’t you married?”
    I froze at the question, my stomach twisting. That was another sore spot in this house. Actually, it wasn’t a sore spot. It was one of those momentary twinges that pop up now and then. I had no idea why we weren’t married. I spent the first two years we lived together worrying that he was going to ask me, and I wasn’t going to be ready. I’d spent the last three years fretting for the opposite reason: Maybe he just didn’t want to marry me.
    I risked a glance at Aric. He was intent on whatever he was chopping, but I could read the uncomfortable slope of his shoulders from ten feet away. That was the worst question Paris could have asked.
    I decided to save face. “We don’t need to get married,” I said. “We’re happy. It’s never come up.”
    Paris rubbed her hand against her forehead as she considered the statement. “But … you guys are together.”
    “We are.”
    “I was under the impression you guys intend to stay together forever,” Paris said. “Isn’t the next step marriage?”
    I cracked my neck. One would think that would be the next step. I didn’t think Aric wanted to consider it, though, and I was terrified to bring it up in case he admitted he never wanted to marry me. I never thought I wanted to marry until I realized there was a real possibility Aric might never want to marry me. It was frustrating, to say the least.
    “It’s not important,” I said, rolling to my feet. “I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
    “Wait … what did I say?” Paris asked, her eyes cloudy. “I’m sorry I brought it up. I thought for sure you guys would already be married. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    “I’m not upset.”
    Aric and I linked gazes as I hurried toward the hallway. His expression was unreadable, but curiosity reflected back at me from his eyes before he managed to mask it. “I’m putting the steaks on the grill,” he said. “I … .”
    “Okay.” I hurried to the bathroom without letting him finish. I needed to get my burning face away from prying eyes.
    This was not how I saw the evening going.

    B Y THE time I returned to the living room ten minutes later, it was empty. I followed the sound of voices and found Paris and Aric chatting on the patio as he watched over the steaks. I took the opportunity to eavesdrop because … well … I felt like it.
    “I didn’t mean to upset her,” Paris said, her voice low.
    I hid behind the grandfather clock on the far side of the window so I could listen through the open door without fear of detection.
    “I know,” Aric replied. “I didn’t realize she would freak out like that either.”
    “She didn’t freak out as much as shut down,” Paris countered. “I clearly caught her off guard, and she couldn’t get away fast enough. I have a feeling I stepped in something big. Have you guys been arguing about getting married?”
    “We’ve never talked about it.” Aric’s tone was flat.
    “You’ve never talked about it?” Paris asked shrilly, her voice rising to the point Aric shushed her. “How can you have never talked about it? You two have been living together for five years.”
    “I’ve done the math, Paris,” Aric replied, unperturbed. “I don’t need your input on the situation.”
    “Do you admit there’s a situation?”
    “No,” Aric snapped. “We’re happy, Paris. This is the life we want. I know it’s not the life you’d choose, but this works for us. I don’t appreciate you coming here and messing everything up.”
    “Hey, that wasn’t my intention,” Paris shot back. “I want Zoe happy as much as you do. I was stunned when I saw you two together and you weren’t wearing rings. I was ready to lay into you for making sure I missed the wedding.”
    “Leave it alone, Paris,” Aric growled.
    “No. She’s clearly upset. Why haven’t you asked