Page 30 of Until We Weren't

Faith chuckled and took a much needed sip of coffee. “Oh, that is so good,” she murmured.

“I can see you needed it,” Gretchen said.

“I look like this because I haven’t been home since yesterday morning,” Faith began. “My last job of the day was to tour the big office complex they’re building on I-35 in order to put in a bid to do the landscaping.”

“I’ve seen it,” Gretchen said. “That is some kind of office park they’re building. I heard Destiny talking about it with Michael the other day when she dropped by.”

“It seems even more immense up close,” Faith said. “I saw Destiny there and we agreed that the builder would not take a small landscaping company like either one of ours seriously with such a huge project.”

“Okay,” Gretchen said, sipping her coffee.

“So, we decided it might be smart to work together.”

Gretchen smiled. “You two always made a good team.”

Faith smiled. “The property was so large that I went one way and Des went the other. The plan was to meet at the back of the building to compare notes. But the most amazing thing happened instead.”

Gretchen raised her eyebrows in question.

Faith recounted her and Destiny’s close call with the dogs.

“That is some story,” Gretchen said. She gazed at Faith as a smirk grew on her face. “How did you two get along?”

Faith gave her a sad smile. “I made a terrible mistake and I’m hopeful Destiny can forgive me.”

“I thought Destiny was the one who messed up,” Gretchen said.

Faith told Gretchen about the video and what happened that day three years ago.

“Last night while we were trapped so many truths were right in front of my face,” she continued. “When I showed Destiny the video I looked into her eyes and saw the truth. Destiny would never do anything like that to me. I knew that deep down.” Faith took a shaky breath and exhaled. “When I saw the truth in her eyes, I saw my destiny. I know it sounds cliché and out there, but I know what I saw.”

Gretchen smiled, reached over, and squeezed Faith’s hand.

“You know, Destiny always listened to me and made it easy to talk about my past. She was so patient. It’s time for me to let go of my family and all the disappointment and distrust. Back then, I wanted them to reach out and be different. What I did was make Destiny different in my eyes. I knew she would never do something like that to me, but I made myself believe she was like them.”

“Oh, Faith,” Gretchen said softly.

“She is my constant. My love, my trust, my life. I let my past go while I sat in that little shack. I know my destiny.” Faith smiled. “No matter how long it takes, my life is with Destiny Green. I’m going after it because she is my happiness and I’m hers.” She paused to control her emotions. “I may need your help.”

Gretchen smiled. “I will do whatever I can for you because I believe every word you said and Destiny will too. You may have to give her a little time to process it all, but she’ll get there.”

“We’re working together on this big project, so I’m going to be with her all the time,” Faith said with a grin.

“I’m proud of you, Faith.” Gretchen grabbed her hand. “I know it’s been hard for you and I’m not saying you won’t still experience hard times with Destiny. But you won’t be alone. You’ll face them and go through them together. That makes all the difference.”

“The old me would just take the hurt and hold it in my heart until it scarred over. I went on and tried to do better. But when Destiny reached in and started to smooth those scars, something else happened. I found love I couldn’t get over. I couldn’t just go on like before. I didn’t realize that until last night. I knew this was different because I should’ve been over it by now. But now I know why.” Faith looked into Gretchen’s eyes. “I’m fighting for Destiny’s love, for our love. I’m not going to let it go. I can’t. I know how it feels to truly be loved by the person who you’re meant to be with.”

“How did you leave things with Destiny?” Gretchen asked.

“She has a lot to think about and process,” Faith said. “I did to her what’s been done to me all these years.” Tears sprang to her eyes and she choked back a sob. “I’ve broken her trust and I’m going to do everything I can to get it back. I want her to feel and believe in our love again. She did that for me and now I’ve got to do that for her.”

“It may take time, Faith,” Gretchen said.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes.”

“What a mess,” Gretchen said. “But you aren’t the only one at fault here. What about the woman who ruined your work and blamed Destiny for it?”

Faith shook her head. “I should’ve shown the video to Destiny that day.”

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