Save a Prayer by Karen Booth

transgression and forgiven me for it. Other than that, we had a few logistics to work out, but I had plenty of money and that would likely solve most of our remaining problems.
    "Morning, Mrs. Whiting." I kissed her cheek softly as she rolled toward me.
    "I'm not Mrs. Whiting. Your mother is. And I really don't think you should get the two of us confused, especially not in bed." A smart grin crossed her face.
    "I'm serious. Are we going to do this? Get married? Because I meant it when I asked you yesterday."
    She propped herself up on her elbow. Her hair was such a wreck, but I didn't dare say a thing. It was a damned sexy wreck. "You didn't really ask me. And I know that you hadn't planned to. I think that means we need to think about it some more."
    "Look, I have been utterly miserable ever since I lost you and that's saying a lot considering all of the amazing things that happened with the band in that time. I don't want to go back to being that version of Graham Whiting. And I can tell you that the guys don't want me to go back to being that either."
    She nodded, seeming to understand. "That's very sweet. I think. I just…I do want to be with you, but we'll have some things to sort. It will take work. A lot of hard work. I hope you're prepared for that. Because I know you, and you do not like complications. You like things simple and straightforward. You and me together will be anything but that."
    "What’s complicated about us?"
    "Let's start with the big one. Your job. I know you're coming home to England, but it's only for a month before you guys go back and tour Southeast Asia and Australia. Things like that will be really difficult on both of us. Are you ready for that?"
    "But I figured you could just come on the road with us. You get on great with the rest of the guys in the band, and you can bring your camera. It'll be perfect. I can work and you can spend your time taking pictures. Isn't that what every artist wants? The chance to practice without having an actual job?"
    "Graham. I worked really hard to get the job at Music Maker . It's incredibly hard to be a working photographer and I've arrived at that. I'm not about to throw that away now."
    "You aren't? I just assumed. I mean, last night. It was so perfect. I assumed that if you wanted to be with me, you'd want to be with me for real, all the time." Bloody hell. This was not what I'd envisioned for our future at all. "You won't reconsider leaving your job?"
    "Even if I didn't have the magazine to contend with, I have responsibilities to my mum and dad. She needs me there. She needs my help. I can't leave her to run away with the circus."
    I frowned and sat up in the bed, tugging the sheets to my waist. "The circus? Is that what you think I'm doing? Some silly lark that won't last?" I watched as she shook her head in utter disbelief, but they were valid questions.
    "I never said that. Of course it'll last, at least for a little while, but it is like a circus. It's crazy the things you guys have to do, dealing with the fans and all of that. I'd have to think long and hard about whether I want to live that kind of life. And what if we decide to have children? What then?"
    Now things were officially going too fast. I’d dared to think about a flat, but this? "Kids? We haven't even bought a ring yet. Bloody hell."
    "I'm just thinking about the future. People do that, you know. People make plans. You might want to try it some time."
    "And I'd much rather live in the moment than plan out every minute of our lives together. Why can't being in love be enough? It seems like everything else can be considered nothing more than a nuisance if we just admit that we're in love and need each other."
    Loud and furious knocks came at the door.
    "Who is it?" I called out. If it was one of the guys or Reggie, I was going to wring somebody's neck. We weren't due to leave for New York for hours.
    There was no answer, just more pounding at the door.
    "Who is it?" I shouted,