He’d reorganized his work schedule so he would be able to stop working every day at 5:30 and have his evenings free with Staci. It was still premature, but he was making preparations for his return to his wife. There wasn’t any doubt in his mind he and Staci would reconcile. He’d prayed about it, and the Lord had shown him it would happen. Derrick just didn’t know how and when. It was hard, but Derrick played by Staci’s rules. He admitted his jealously of Malcolm and was mad at himself for creating the opening that allowed that man entry into his world. However, Derrick refused to sit back and give Malcolm full access to his wife. Derrick’s presence in Staci’s life would be visible. Like tonight, he’d planned on stopping by the house just to see if Staci needed anything—and to make sure Malcolm wasn’t there. On his way out, Rhonda caught up with Derrick and invited him to dinner with her, again. As always, he declined. “You’re consistent, but no thank you, Rhonda,”
