Page 6 of Until We Weren't

Mark grinned. “Oh, you know. Just watching two people that could’ve had the most amazing life together totally fuck it all up.”

Destiny looked at him with shock on her face.

“The air crackles with electricity when you two are near one another. I used to wonder if you were going to tear each other’s clothes off and now I’m wondering if you’re about to get into a fist fight.”

“I would never hit her,” Destiny exclaimed with shock in her voice.

Mark smiled and nodded. “She wouldn’t hit you either.”

“I don’t know.” Destiny blew out a deep breath. “What the fuck,” she said, frustrated.

“Have you ever considered apologizing?” Mark asked.

Destiny’s brows flew up her forehead. “For what? Breathing the same air?”

“Uh, no,” Mark said slowly. “That’s not what I meant.”

Destiny tilted her head then realization covered her face. “Oh, you mean…” She sighed. “Don’t you think I’ve thought of that? I don’t know what I have to fucking apologize for, Mark!”

Mark winced and led them over to a bench at the side of the counter. “You really don’t know?”

“That was probably the longest conversation I’ve had with her in three years. She never told me what she thinks I did. If I knew what it was and could apologize, I don’t know how I’d even do it.” Destiny threw up her hands in defeat. “If she saw me come into your shop, I’m quite sure she’d either leave or throw me out.”

“Man, what could you have done that’s unforgivable?” Mark said.

“I know you don’t believe me and you, like everyone else, think I’m hiding something, but I swear, I don’t know what I could’ve done. I was head over heels in love with Faith. I wanted to spend my life with her.”

“Was?”

Destiny glanced over at him. “It doesn’t matter if I love her or not,” she said with a sad smile.

Mark sighed. “All she does is work. I can’t even get her to have a beer with the crew. She rarely smiles. Micromanages everything. She trusts no one and if it wasn’t for her assistant, Amy, I’m not sure anyone would work for us.”

“It’s hard starting then running a business,” Destiny said, in Faith’s defense. “It takes all your time and energy. When you’re not at the office or a job site you’re thinking about the next job.”

Mark gave her a sarcastic smile and chuckled. “You’re defending her?”

Destiny shrugged. “Like it matters.”

“This morning she was talking about the big office complex over on Interstate 35,” Mark said.

“Yeah, I’m going to have a look and work up a bid on it,” Destiny said. She whipped her head towards Mark, wondering if she should’ve told him that.

He chuckled. “It’s okay. I’m your friend, too, Destiny, and I would never give up your plans. I’m sure Faith is doing the same thing. It won’t be the first time the both of you have bid on the same job.”

Destiny nodded. “I’ve missed you, but I’m afraid if Faith knew we were talking to each other she might fire you.”

Mark chuckled. “No she wouldn’t. You don’t worry about me. And I have a feeling you’ve been doing the same thing she has. All work and no play.”

Destiny grimaced. “I have no desire to give my heart to anyone. When Faith up and left like that I was devastated and it still hurts. That’s just the way it is. Believe me, I wish I could get past it all. One of these days, I’ll wake up and decide I don’t have to stay busy for the next sixteen hours in order to take a deep breath.”

“Aww, Des,” Mark said, putting his arm around her. “I’m so sorry.”

As good as it felt to have Mark’s sympathy, Destiny knew she’d burst into tears if she didn’t get up.

“Thanks,” she said, jumping up and swiping under her eyes. “My mom keeps telling me it will all work out.”

“Your mom is a pretty smart lady,” Mark said. “You should listen to her.”

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