Page 34 of Until We Weren't

“It isn’t making you question your love though.”

Destiny smiled. “I know we still love each other. We could both feel it. I wonder if we can use that love, make it stronger, and recapture our relationship.”

“That sounds like your next project,” Mark said with a smile.

“We’re going to join forces on the business complex bid,” Destiny said. “The company evaluating the bids won’t take small landscapers like us seriously, so if we team up surely they’ll take notice. No one is more creative in coming up with an eye-catching design than Faith.”

“And no one can make it happen better than you,” Mark said. “Faith has some crazy ideas and you’re the only one who could make them work.”

Destiny looked over at him and chuckled. “She’s been doing okay without me for the past three years.”

“Oh no she hasn’t. Her designs are nothing like what y’all did together. She needs you to make what’s in her head work at the site.”

“We were a good team,” Destiny said.

“Don’t let fear stop you from taking this chance, Des,” Mark said. “Just imagine what a life you two could have.”

Destiny smiled and nodded. “I imagined it once before, but look at how that worked out.”

“That wasn’t entirely y’all’s fault,” Mark said.

“I thought we were doing great before. I’m not sure how to make us stronger.”

“Maybe you’re supposed to figure that out together,” Mark replied.

“We’re supposed to go over our notes this afternoon and begin working up the bid,” Destiny said.

“Good,” Mark said. “I’m sure you both needed a minute to process all this.”

Destiny sighed. “I still can’t believe it.”

“It’s crazy when you think about it, but hey, you and Faith are worth it,” Mark said. “You never gave up before, why would you now?”

Destiny nodded. “Thanks, friend. I’ll be seeing more of you if we win this bid.”

“Then get to work,” Mark said, hopping off the tailgate.

Destiny chuckled. “Yes, sir.”

The morning seemed to go by in slow motion. Destiny went by to check on each of her crews before going to the office. Luckily, Monica was at lunch so Destiny didn’t have to go through the story again. She would tell Monica eventually, but what she really wanted now was to go home and take a nap. The loss of sleep combined with the emotional turmoil had caught up with her.

Destiny had promised to meet with Faith that afternoon, but she had to get some rest first. She texted Faith and asked her if they could meet at the end of the day and Faith readily agreed.

“Perfect,” Destiny mumbled as she got back in her truck. She would take a nap then go over her notes before she went to Faith’s. She was confident they could come up with a plan that was better than the other landscape developers, but she wasn’t sure they could do it at a cheaper price plus make a profit for their companies. It was such a fine balance.

Destiny’s route to her apartment took her near the retirement home. She smiled thinking about Mrs. Baker. Destiny often went by around lunchtime because she knew Mrs. Baker liked to sit outside on a bench in one of the small flower gardens after she’d eaten.

She may be tired, but it wouldn’t take a minute to stop by and say hello to the older woman. Destiny didn’t know how many times she’d gone by the retirement home when she was having a bad day and Mrs. Baker always made her smile. After she and Faith broke up, Mrs. Baker made sure Destiny knew whenever Faith had been by and that she was just as unhappy as she was.

Destiny pulled through the front gate and drove around to the garden nearest the dining hall. Sure enough there was Mrs. Baker soaking up the sun. Destiny parked and smiled as she walked up to her.

“It’s my lucky day,” Mrs. Baker said. “Look who's here.”

“I’m the lucky one,” Destiny said, sitting down next to her.

“Honey, no offense, but you look tired.”

Destiny chuckled. “I am headed home for a nap. I was up all night.”

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