Chapter 8

CHAPTER

EIGHT

Faith

The GPS on my phone takes me straight to the Healing Hands Day Spa. I can't keep the smile off my face when I think about Chad setting this up for me. He's making it harder and harder not to fall even more in love with him.

I'm already dreading next week when I have to get on that plane and head back to Ohio. At home, I'm uneasy and confused about the future. When I'm here with him, none of that holds the same level of concern. When I'm with him, everything else pales in comparison. It will all work out. It always does. I just wish I had that mindset when I'm thousands of miles away from him.

I grab the keys from the ignition of the rental, something else he did to make sure I was taken care of. My purse sits on the passenger seat, where I snatch it up, toss my phone inside, and climb out of the car.

The spa is a renovated house. It's a two-story Victorian home with a wraparound porch. Making my way up the steps, I pull open the door and step inside. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't to feel as though I was stepping into a family home. It instantly puts me at ease. I can admit that I was a little nervous. I'm not an extravagant kind of girl, and spa day screamed fancy and expensive in my mind.

However, this place is casual, and I can get behind a mani, pedi, and massage. It feels like home, which is odd in so many ways, but I don't really know any other way to describe it.

"Welcome to Healing Hands Day Spa. How can I help you?"

"I'm actually looking for Hannah," I tell the woman behind the counter.

"I'm Hannah. You must be Faith."

"Yes. Hi." I wave awkwardly. She surprises me when she steps out from around the counter and pulls me into a hug.

"Welcome. I'm so glad you're here. I've been given strict instructions for you to spare no expense today."

I laugh nervously. "I'm not sure what that entails exactly, but I'm in," I tell her.

"That's what I like to hear." She gives me a genuine smile that has me taking a deep breath and dropping my tense shoulders. "Erik gave your Chad my number, and he made it abundantly clear that he wanted you spoiled today."

"He's not mine. I mean, we're not together. We're just friends," I ramble.

"You sure about that?" She raises her eyebrow in question. "No man has ever done this for someone who is just his friend. He was adamant that you have the full treatment."

"That's just Chad. He's a great guy, and he knows that I've been stressing about finding a job, and he feels guilty that he can't take time off to visit with me while I'm here."

Hannah grins, pointing a long-manicured nail at me. "There's a story there, and luckily we have all day to get to it."

"There's not much to tell."

"Uh-huh." She gives me a saucy grin. "How about we start with a pedicure? I have a client coming in for a haircut, but he's quick, and then the rest of the day, you get my full attention." She points to a pedicure chair. "I'll get you all set up to soak while I take care of him."

"Sounds good to me. I've got nowhere to be." I follow her to the line of pedicure chairs and take a seat. She gets the water going and offers me a drink before she rushes to cut the hair of her next client.

Sticking my feet into the warm water, I sigh as the massaging jet hits my arches.

How did Chad know this was exactly what I needed? Reaching into my purse, I pull out my phone and begin to scroll through social media. I'm worried if I don't keep my mind occupied, I might fall asleep in the chair, and the last thing that I want to do is embarrass myself or Chad like that.

I'm mindlessly scrolling when my eyes scan an ad. I sit up straighter in my chair. It's a job ad for a kindergarten teacher.

Finally!

Not willing to waste any time, I click on the link and quickly go through the process of applying for the position. I only hope that if they call me for an interview, it's not before I head back home. I don't want to leave Chad early. I crave this time with him, but I'll do what I have to do to get my dream job.

Luckily for me, I have my resume saved in the files on my phone, so I make quick work of filling out the online application and attaching my resume. Once I click Submit, I toss my phone in my bag, feeling an odd sense of relief. This is what I've been waiting for. Suddenly, my already amazing day just got a whole lot better.

Relaxing back into the chair, I allow myself to close my eyes, and with that, the tension fades away. I have a good feeling about this one.

"Ready?" Hannah asks, taking a seat on the stool and pulling one foot from the water. We make small talk while she starts on my pedicure.

"So, what's up with you and Chad?" She smiles at me, and it's one of those friendly smiles. The kind that instantly puts you at ease and has you wanting to spill your entire life story. Yeah, it was one of those, and that's why I open my mouth and start from the beginning.

By the time my story ends, she's sliding back on her stool and pointing for me to move to the table for my manicure. "You know he's in love with you, right?" she asks, taking her place behind the desk. "Are you doing your nails the same color as your toes?"

I look down at the deep sparkly purple color. "Yes." Then her previous words register. "I know that he loves me. That's not the issue. It's that he's not in love with me."

Hannah tosses her head back in laughter. "I disagree. Look, I've never seen the two of you together. I don't know how he looks at you or even if his eyes follow you no matter where you are in the room. However"—she holds up her hand when I start to reply—"I do know that he was insistent that this day be anything and everything you could want."

"He's a nice guy. One of the best," I add.

"Agreed. He's also in love with you."

"Oh, how I wish that were true."

"He stayed with you all weekend, and it wasn't just a friendly visit," she reminds me.

Yeah, I might have spilled it all. I needed someone to talk to, and Shayne's not here, and even if she were, she's too close to both of us. Hannah was the better option; that is until she started putting ideas in my head about Chad being in love with me.

A girl can dream.

"Erik said he invited you two to our place for dinner tomorrow night, right? Let me see for myself if my suspicions are correct."

"He's my best friend." I feel like a broken record.

She gives me a wide grin. "The best romantic relationships start from friendship."

"You'll see. It's friendship. Nothing more," I tell her with a light chuckle. I'm not convinced, but my heart is begging for her to be right. I'd give anything for Chad to be in love with me.

Pulling into the lot of the hotel, I don't even have to look into the rearview mirror to know I'm smiling. Today was a great day. I feel refreshed and completely pampered. I stopped at the local pharmacy and picked up some lotions. My plan is after we grab something to eat that, I will bring Chad back here and give him a massage. It's not even close to the day that he treated me to, but it's a start to say thank you.

Grabbing the bag and my purse from the passenger seat, I head up to my room. As soon as I swipe the key card and push open the door, I see him. Chad is lying on the bed, feet hanging off the side, hands crossed at his chest, and he's sound asleep. I know that my being here is catching up with him. He's usually back in his room and sound asleep well before curfew.

Quietly, so I don't wake him, I place both bags on the small table and move to his side of the bed. I don't know how, but I manage to take off both of his shoes and lift his legs to the bed without him stirring. Kicking off my own shoes, I move to the other side and climb in next to him. I move close, seeking his warmth. I lay my head on the pillow next to his and close my eyes. Just as I'm about to let sleep pull me under, he rolls to his side and pulls me into him. I settle in his arms, not sure if he's sleeping or if he's awake. I just enjoy the fact that I'm here and try not to think about leaving next week.

I could stay right here every day of forever.

I feel his lips press to my forehead and whisper, "Missed you."

Lifting my head, I find his tired eyes on me. "I missed you too."

"How was your day?" He rolls onto his back, taking me with him, so I'm now lying on his chest.

"It was everything I didn't know that I needed. Thank you. Hannah is so sweet, and we hit it off right away. I'm really excited for dinner on Friday."

He smiles. It's lazy and happy and has my heart tripping over in my chest. "I know I just met them too, but they seem like good people."

"I'm excited to go. Unless you changed your mind and made other plans for us?"

"No. No other plans. Just spending every second I don't have to be on base with you."

If he only knew how his words affected me. Can he hear the thunderous beat of my heart? "Are you hungry?"

"Starving."

"How about we stay in? We can order pizza."

"I should take you out."

"I've been out all day, and you're exhausted. We can eat now, and you can head back to base early and get some rest."

"No. I'm not leaving you until I absolutely have to. You came all this way to spend time with me, and that's what's going to happen."

"So bossy," I tease.

"I don't want to miss a minute, Faith." He tightens his hold on me, and my heart melts.

"Okay. I just don't want you wearing yourself out just because I'm here."

"I'm good. I got a quick nap, and now I want to hear about your day."

"Let me order pizza." I roll out of his arms and off the bed, making him laugh. I go to my purse on the table to get my phone. "I got something for you today," I tell him as I pick up the flyer on the TV stand for the local pizza delivery.

"Did you get me you?" he asks.

I look over my shoulder at him and see he's staring at my ass. "Do you want me?" I ask. My eyes widen when I realize what I asked. "I mean do you want it to be me?" Shit, that's not much better. With my face flushed, I turn back around and dial the number, placing the phone to my ear.

The call connects instantly, and I order us a large pizza, some boneless wings, and bread sticks. I figure Chad can take whatever we don't eat back to the barracks for later or to share with the guys. Not to mention, I know he can put away food, especially after the long physical days he puts in. I rattle off my room number and drop my phone on the table, and that's when I feel his hands on my hips.

He kisses my neck, running his lips up to my ear. "I want you, Faith. I want it to be you. The answer to both of your questions is yes. Always yes."

I turn in his arms and wrap my own around his waist, burying my face in his chest. I need a minute to get my emotions under control. I don't know how I'm going to be able to get on that plane next week. My heart physically aches at the thought of being away from him.

"Go sit on the bed. Shirt off."

"Now we're talking." He smacks a loud kiss on my lips and moves toward the bed, reaching behind his neck, tugging off his plain black T-shirt, and tossing it on the chair in the corner of the room.

I make quick work of pulling some cash out of my wallet and laying it on the table before grabbing the bottle of lotion from the bag. I crawl onto the bed and settle behind him. My legs are wrapped around him, where he sits on the edge of the bed.

"This might be cold," I tell him.

His hands grip my thighs as he pulls me close. My front is molded to his back. "I can't do what I had planned sitting that close." I laugh and try to scoot back, but his grip on my thighs is too tight.

"I want you close."

"You're messing with my mojo, mister."

"Am I supposed to say I'm sorry? You're not going to get that from me."

I lightly smack his shoulder. "Humor me."

"Humor me," he fires back, giving my thighs a gentle squeeze.

"Fine. This is going to be a quick few passes until the pizza gets here anyway. After we eat, I'll make you lay down on the bed, so I can get a better angle on it."

"I don't know what you're talking about, but I think I like it." He chuckles.

I pump some lotion into my palm before rubbing my hands together to warm up the lotion. When my hands land on his shoulders and I begin to knead at his stiff muscles, he moans, dropping his chin to his chest.

"Damn," he mutters.

"You're tight."

"So are you."

Again, I playfully swat at his back. "What has gotten into you tonight?"

"You. I love that you're here, Faith. I love knowing that after a long, hard, grueling day, I get to be here with you. Like this." He turns to look at me over his shoulder, and on instinct, I lean in and softly press my lips to his.

"Thank you for bringing me out here."

He nods before turning back around. His hands are still gripping my thighs. He's not letting go, and that's perfectly fine by me. I don't want him to let go.

"How did you know I needed this today?" he asks.

"Because I didn't realize I did until Hannah got her hands on me earlier. Thank you again for that. Today was very relaxing."

"You're welcome."

"Oh, and I didn't tell you what else happened."

At the excitement in my voice, he turns his body so that he can see me. "Your eyes are sparkling."

"I'm excited. I was scrolling through my phone and saw an ad for a kindergarten teacher. I have my resume on my phone, so I applied right away."

"Seriously? Faith, that's incredible."

"I feel good about it. I haven't even spoken to them, but something in my gut tells me this job is going to be my future."

I'm shocked when he slides his hand behind my neck and pulls me into a tender kiss. "I love this for you. I'm sending all the good vibes to the universe for you to get your dream job," he says, pulling away from the kiss.

Before I can reply, there's a knock at the door. I scramble off the bed and rush to the money I already have laid out. Chad reaches for my arm, but I sprint for the door, tugging it open and thrusting the cash at the delivery guy. The teenager appears to be amused at the big man behind me who's whining he wanted to pay for dinner.

"Thank you," I tell the kid, taking our food and kicking the door closed. "My treat, handsome."

"What am I going to do with you?" He follows me to the table where we spread out. "I'm going to run to the vending machine and grab us some drinks."

"No need. I filled up the mini fridge earlier. I had some time before my appointment."

He leans over the table and kisses me. His tongue lazily slides against mine. "Thank you."

I nod because words fail me. This man is everything to me. I hear Hannah's voice in my head, and I can't help but wonder if she's right.

Can I risk telling him how I really feel?

I quickly shake out of that thought. Nothing is worth the risk of losing Chad as a part of my life.