Page 148 of Faking the Shot

“Want a green tea? Chamomile?”

Her smile flickered. “You know, you’re the first guy I ever dated who remembered things like that.”

“I’m obviously the best guy.”

“Even if it wasn’t real,” she murmured.

“Wasn’t it?”

He gazed into her eyes, wishing she would reveal her secrets. But it felt like he’d gone in too hard, too fast as she shook her head. “I should probably go.”

“No, you promised to talk. And I’m gonna hold you to that. Let’s get some tea first, okay?”

She nodded, and followed him to the kitchen. He was glad for the chance to do something with his hands, so he wouldn’t show her how nervous he felt. Of all the important people he’d met and conversations he’d had in his life, this conversation felt like the most important.

Teas made, they returned to the living room, where theSnugglepot and Cuddlepiebook lay on the table. She glanced at it, and he caught how she tucked her smile away.

“I still can’t believe they call that a children’s book,” he murmured.

She snickered, and the tension seemed to drop by ten degrees.

She sipped her tea. “So what is it you want to say?”

So many things. But the most important, the one he should’ve led with before, was “How are you?”

She blinked rapidly, and her shorter hair did not hide the way her face creased, as if in pain.

“Ains.”

“No. Don’t be nice to me. Just let me talk, if you really want to know, that is.”

“I really want to know,” he said, his voice hoarse. “How are you doing? Really?”

She dragged in a breath. Exhaled. “It’s been tough.” She shot a glance at him. “I presume you’re talking about my aunt and my career, right?”Not us,her eyes seemed to plead.

“I’m wanting to know all you want to tell me.”

Her shoulders slumped. “There’s so much to say, I barely know where to begin.”

“How is your aunt?”

She pressed her lips together. “She’s only got weeks now.”

Lord?He really thought Dean Karlsson would’ve come through by now.

“It would mean so much to her and to my mom to have the house things sorted, but there’s not much we can do about that now.”

“How is she in herself?”

“I think she’s ready. It makes a world of difference for her to know God and have assurance of salvation, and that she’ll be in heaven.”

“With no more pain or suffering.”

“Amen,” she echoed. “It’s been wonderful to have some time to spend with her.” Her lips lifted. “If a girl has to lose her job, it’s good timing to have time off when it’s been needed. That’s certainly been a big blessing.”

“We never know what God has in store for those who trust Him, and walk according to His purposes. There’s a verse like that, isn’t there?”

“I think it’s more that God has good plans for those who trust Him, and are called according to His purposes.”

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