Chapter 23

23

D estiny smiled as she waited for the light to turn green. The kiss she and Faith shared when she left her place last night played over in her head for the thousandth time. Okay, maybe a thousand was a little high, but it had to be close.

It felt easy and almost instinctive for Destiny to lean in and press her lips to Faith's before she got in her truck. What felt unnatural and made her a bit unsteady was leaving Faith at all.

They had spent a lot of time together since they'd raced into that steamy shack days ago. It was funny that Destiny felt closer to Faith now than she ever had. But in the days that followed, Destiny and Faith had talked about the things they were afraid of or uneasy about sharing with each other.

What surprised Destiny the most was how calm and carefree Faith had become. After Faith explained to her that she was letting her family go, it was like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She smiled at Destiny every time their eyes met. It might be with amusement or happiness or lately with lust—yeah, it was definitely lust—but also with love.

Faith always had a smile for Destiny. She could see the love in Faith's eyes. It wasn't forlorn or arduous love like whenever they'd run into each other after Faith had left. This was joyous love in Faith's eyes.

Destiny smiled, closed her eyes for a moment, and once again felt Faith's lips against hers. She wanted to stay with Faith last night, but she knew they wouldn't simply be sleeping in the same bed again. The pull to take Faith in her arms and declare her love for all time was greater than it had ever been.

When that happened it would change their lives once again and Destiny wanted to be ready this time. She had already come up with a few ways to make Faith's birthday party special on Saturday night, but it was afterwards, when it was just them, that had Destiny's heart beating double-time.

This project may have been the event that brought them back together, but their future wasn't dependent on a bid. It would be wonderful to create this vision that so far was just computer generated, yet it didn't matter if they lost. They had won the biggest prize of all. A chance to love each other again. This time openly with all the pieces bared and visible so they could support each other.

"Yeah," Destiny said quietly. "Doubts will come and go, but we'll be together to overcome them. I have Faith and I'm your Destiny."

It sounded like sappy humor, but it wasn't a joke. She believed in her heart that she was Faith's destiny. And with Faith in Destiny's heart they'd travel this path together.

"My God, Destiny," she muttered. "Could you be any more syrupy and sentimental?"

She laughed out loud as she pulled around the building to the tiny house where she found Faith standing in the porch area.

"Hey," Faith said as Destiny got out of the truck. "What's so funny?"

"Huh?" Destiny replied.

"You were laughing when you pulled up."

"Oh," Destiny said, her eyes widening. Faith could always read her like a book. "I was just thinking about…"

Faith raised her brows. "Us?"

Destiny grinned. "Maybe."

Faith nodded. "I've been thinking about us, too."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah," Faith said. "We've both kind of done a one-eighty compared to the way it was before, but I think it suits us."

"How so?" Destiny wasn't expecting anything serious today. She'd planned a little adventure after lunch that was sure to make them both lighthearted and happy.

"I've never felt so calm and composed," Faith said. "There has always been some kind of push and pull going on inside me, but it's no longer there."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" Destiny asked.

"That's a better than good thing," Faith said with a smile.

Destiny studied Faith for a moment and smiled. "It looks very good on you."

"Thanks," Faith said. "It feels even better."

"And then there's me," Destiny said. "I was once a confident woman and now I'm wondering if I ever knew anything at all."

"Not true, Des." Faith reached for her hand. "You've become more insightful. I'm not afraid to tell you anything. I know you'll listen and not judge me."

"You thought I'd judge you?" Destiny asked.

Faith shook her head. "That came out wrong. It was more like I was judging myself through your eyes. I know now I need to tell you when something is bothering me or when something is good. It goes both ways. I know you'll listen and together we'll work whatever it is out."

"Or enjoy it together?"

Faith smiled. "I hope so. For example, I'm very excited to see your parents today. We used to have Sunday lunch with them often. The old me would've been nervous about today. I'd be wondering if they're going to be upset with me for what I put us through."

"Oh, Faith, they won't?—"

"I know they won't," Faith said. "Your mom tried to help me so many times. Today, they'll be happy to see me and I hope they'll be happy to see us together. That's what I think."

Destiny sighed. "You didn't do this to us." She squeezed Faith's hand. "Let's sit for a minute."

They walked over to the chairs in front of the house. Destiny pulled hers to face Faith's and took her hands in hers. She knew Faith blamed herself for what happened between them, but it wasn't that simple. "We have to look at this for what it is. It was a perfect storm instigated by Gloria."

Faith shook her head. "I don't know, Des?—"

"Yes, Faith," Destiny said firmly. "Gloria started it. We found out our relationship wasn't what we thought. You didn't do this. I didn't do this."

"But we can fix it together," Faith added with hope in her voice.

Destiny smiled. "That's what we're trying to do."

Before Destiny knew what was happening, Faith grabbed her face and crushed their lips together. Destiny held on to Faith's wrists then gently ran her hands over Faith's shoulders. She could feel the tension in Faith begin to ease and she softened the kiss.

They didn't pull apart, but instead settled in and basked in this kiss that both of them had longed for since they'd left the shack. Destiny's tongue explored Faith's mouth with pleasure. She remembered how luscious and sweet Faith's kisses could be and now she was right in the middle of all this luxurious joy. Yes! That's what this kiss was. Joy!

Destiny's heart was pounding and she could hear her pulse in her own ears when Faith's arms snaked around her back and pulled her closer. Faith's tongue was now demanding and seeking and Destiny was all for it. She groaned and Faith pulled her even tighter as the kiss flamed in intensity then began to slowly soften.

Destiny caressed Faith's lips with her own, not wanting the kiss to end. "Mmm," she murmured against Faith's lips. "So good."

She felt Faith smile then slowly opened her eyes and pulled away. Faith's fingers feathered down Destiny's cheek then her index finger traced Destiny's lips. "God, I missed you," Faith whispered. "I missed this."

Destiny smiled as she swallowed the emotion caught in her throat. She wanted to jump up and race to Faith's bedroom, but she also wanted to stare into Faith's crystal blue eyes and never look away.

Faith pressed her lips to Destiny's once again and Destiny closed her eyes, imprinting this moment in her memory to savor. This was the kiss of new beginnings mixed with the goodness of the past.

When Faith pulled away Destiny whispered, "I could kiss you all day."

Faith leaned back in and Destiny claimed her lips. She ran her hand behind Faith's neck and held it there. Her heart was pounding and she was sure Faith could feel it, too.

Faith slowly pulled away and Destiny opened her eyes to the most beautiful smile. "If your parents weren't waiting on us…"

"I know." Destiny sighed.

"Kissing you all day would be a very nice birthday gift," Faith said, raising her brows.

Destiny chuckled. "We have your party."

"There's always the day after," Faith suggested.

Destiny knew her eyes were sparkling because her heart was doing cartwheels. The smile on Faith's face fell and she looked serious. "What is it?" Destiny asked.

"I'm not taking anything for granted, Des," Faith said. "I know we still have things to work through."

Destiny nodded. Faith had made sure not to push Destiny since the truth came out. She was determined not to overwhelm her, but Destiny could see these kisses meant everything to Faith, too.

"Let's go see my folks," Destiny said. "Then I have a little surprise for you." She leaned in and quickly kissed Faith on the lips before getting up and pulling Faith up with her.

Destiny and Faith waved to the Greens as they drove away.

"I can't believe you made us clean out Mom's flower bed before we could leave," Destiny said, glancing over at Faith.

"Come on, it was only a few weeds," Faith said, reaching for Destiny's hand. "You didn't even get dirt under your fingernails. Besides, we always do that for her."

"We used to do that for her," Destiny corrected her. "We can always do new things, Faith."

"I like the sound of that. But we should still keep your mom's flower bed pretty."

Destiny felt Faith squeeze her hand. She couldn't help but smile and shake her head.

"Where are we going now?" Faith asked.

"We are going to see one of our favorite people," Destiny said.

"So much for doing new things," Faith teased.

Destiny chuckled. "Oh, you're going to love this. Trust me." She cut her eyes over to Faith. Trust had always been important to both of them. But now, Faith had willingly put her trust in Destiny. She hadn't wavered a bit. It was Destiny who was slow to trust now, but any doubts she'd had earlier were gone.

Faith gasped. "I know where we're going!"

Destiny could feel Faith's excitement because she was still holding her hand. "I know someone who will be very happy to see us together."

"She may be napping," Faith said as Destiny found a parking space.

"Or watching NASCAR." Destiny chuckled.

"Let's walk by the bench near her room," Faith suggested, reaching for Destiny's hand. "Is this okay?"

Destiny nodded and smiled as their little fingers linked together. "You know how much she likes to sit in the sun."

They stepped off the sidewalk and could see a woman sitting on a bench in a small garden.

"My eyes must be playing tricks on me!" Mrs. Baker exclaimed as Destiny and Faith walked up to her.

"Your eyes are just fine," Faith said.

"They're better than mine." Destiny chuckled.

"Sit down and catch me up," Mrs. Baker said, patting the bench next to her.

Destiny and Faith sat down on either side of the older woman.

"Your hearts have finally won," Mrs. Baker said. "It doesn't matter what happened before. The important thing is that you're together now."

"You don't even want to hear the story?" Destiny asked.

Mrs. Baker slapped them both on the leg. "Some other time. Now, how did I get so lucky to see you girls on a Sunday?"

"We need some of your good luck," Faith said.

"We're giving a presentation this week to win a big job," Destiny said.

Mrs. Baker looked from Destiny to Faith. "Are you working together again?"

"We are on this project," Destiny said.

"We'll see how it goes," Faith said. "You never know what can happen."

"Tell me about this project," Mrs. Baker said.

They took turns telling Mrs. Baker about the gardens they'd designed and how they hoped to tie them together.

"We can show you this one," Faith said. "The computer is in the truck."

"Go get it!" Mrs. Baker exclaimed. "I'd love to see it."

"I'll be right back." Faith jumped up and took off for the truck.

"You always thought that Faith needed you and she did," Mrs. Baker said with a smile. "But I think you've discovered just how much you needed her, too."

Destiny smiled and watched Faith get the computer out of the truck. "I wanted her to know she's loved, but you're exactly right. I had no idea how much I needed her. I think she feels that now too and it hasn't scared her away."

Mrs. Baker chuckled. "She doesn't look scared."