Page 19 of Until We Weren't

“I’ll hold the screwdriver with both hands if you’ll whack it with this,” Destiny said, handing the makeshift hammer to Faith.

“Okay,” Faith replied.

Destiny worked the blade of the screwdriver under the window frame and nodded at Faith. But before Faith could hit the handle of the screwdriver, Destiny stopped and pulled it away. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes at Faith.

“What?” Faith asked. “Oh, come on. I won’t hit your hands.”

Destiny smirked and once again put the blade of the screwdriver under the window frame.

Faith smacked the end of the handle several times until the window began to move.

“Okay,” Destiny said. “I think that’s good.”

7

“Well,” Faith said. “At least we have a little air flowing through here now.”

Destiny sighed and looked out the window. She turned around and looked at Faith. “Yeah. So what did you think of the project?”

Faith stared at Destiny for a moment and tried to read her expression.

“We were going to compare notes,” Destiny explained. “Remember?”

Faith nodded. “I guess we may as well. It doesn’t look like we’re going anywhere anytime soon.” She sat down on the floor and crossed her legs.

Destiny sat down across from Faith and opened her notebook.

“It would be easy to do wispy grasses that would do well in the heat, but I see more of a garden vibe,” Faith said.

Destiny smiled. “I’m not surprised. You love that look.”

“I do, but it will complement the architecture of the buildings,” Faith said defensively.

“Take it easy, Faith,” Destiny said, looking up at her. “I agree with you.”

“You do?” Faith remembered when they worked together that oftentimes they had different ideas. They rarely agreed in the beginning, but once they talked out their visions, they would come up with a plan that complemented the space—and a plan they both liked.

“Don’t sound so surprised,” Destiny said. “We created some very beautiful landscapes together.”

“I know that,” Faith said. “But we rarely agreed at first.”

Destiny chuckled. “That’s true. Uh, as I walked along towards the smaller buildings the project seemed to grow before my eyes,” she said tentatively.

“Yeah.” Faith nodded, looking over her notes. “It’s even bigger than I imagined.”

“I’m concerned they won’t take smaller companies like ours seriously during the bidding process,” Destiny said. “But…”

Faith looked up into Destiny’s eyes. “But what?”

“I was thinking…” Her voice trailed off.

Faith could see hesitation in Destiny’s eyes. This was unusual because she was always so confident. It was one of the things that drew Faith to her from the beginning. However, Faith had seen this look a few times before. Destiny had an idea and wasn’t sure Faith would go for it.

“Come on, Des,” Faith encouraged her. She could see Destiny soften at the way Faith shortened her name.

“Both of our companies have very good reputations,” Destiny began.

“Very good?” Faith said, raising her brows. “I’d say we’re excellent.”

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