Chapter 9

9

" D estiny," Faith said. "Sit with me." She took Destiny's hand and eased them down to the floor.

Faith could feel strength building inside her and she knew it was Destiny's love. She had to be brave and believe in herself. In the past Destiny was always willing to do anything to help Faith trust and believe in them. It was Faith's turn to be the strong one, to show Destiny their life together was still possible.

"I can't tell you how many thoughts were flying through my head and still do when I remember that time," Faith said. "I was afraid that you would tell me you didn't do it, but I knew it was you because the video was so real. I figured you would come up with some story and I'd believe you then we'd just act like it didn't happen." She sighed. "I didn't think I was strong enough to leave you when I knew you'd done something like that to me. Or I'd take you back and keep being hurt."

Destiny shook her head. "When have I ever lied to you?"

Faith smiled and stroked the back of Destiny's hand with her thumb. "There's always a first time, right? You know how I think."

Destiny blew out a deep breath. "Have you ever lied to me?"

Faith was surprised by the question. She looked at Destiny and furrowed her brow. "I can't think of one time I've done that. There were a couple of times after work that we were supposed to do something with the others, but I just wanted to be with you, so I said I was tired."

"What else?" Destiny asked.

Faith gave her a puzzled look.

"I know those weren't the only thoughts going through your head when you saw the video," Destiny explained.

Faith nodded. "As I said, I was afraid to face you because I truly thought I'd crumble to pieces inside."

"Oh, Faith," Destiny said. "This is all so incredible because the last thing I would ever do is intentionally hurt you."

"That's what I thought. But you've seen the video."

Destiny nodded. "It does look like me, but…"

"After I moved out, I started Lush Fields and things settled somewhat," Faith said. "I was watching the sunset one evening and tears sprang to my eyes. I couldn't stop thinking about you, but I realized in that moment why I was really afraid."

Destiny looked over at Faith and waited.

"I knew I wasn't good enough for you and somehow thought that maybe I could be someday."

"What!" Destiny exclaimed. "Good enough? You are?—"

"Wait, Des." Faith stopped her. "When you've been brought up like I have, scraped enough money together to get an education, been cheated on…I could go on and on. You get the idea you're not good enough. So, I figured you were going to leave me someday anyway."

"Faith," Destiny said.

"I know how fucked up that is," Faith said. "But that's the way my heart knew to protect me."

"Did I do something to make you feel that way?"

"No!" Faith said. "That's all on me."

"If I'd known you felt that way…"

"I know, you would have done what you do to reassure me and love me," Faith said. "I don't think I fully realized those feelings were there until I was without you."

"Do you still believe that?"

Faith smiled. "No."

"Good," Destiny said. "Because you're a successful business owner who happens to be the best landscape artist anywhere."

"Oh, really," Faith said with a smile. "What about that Green Thumb place? I've heard they're not so bad."

"So all this time, you think I destroyed your project to win a job." Destiny shook her head. "Incredible," she muttered.

"It says something that neither one of us has had a relationship in all this time. I broke our hearts, Destiny," Faith said. "I can put them back together again."

"My heart is broken all over again," Destiny said, sounding exhausted. "I didn't think that was possible."

"Now you know what happened and why I did what I did," Faith said. "Please give me the chance to show you how much I still love you."

Destiny narrowed her gaze and stared at Faith. "How can you still love me? Every time I've seen you since that fucked up day you've been an asshole to me."

"At first I was angry and hurt," Faith said. "Then I was so sad and lonely, all I knew to do was work."

"Yeah, I know how that feels," Destiny said. "Can I see your phone again?"

Destiny played the video again. She tried to see it from Faith's perspective. For so long Faith had built a wall around her heart and Destiny had slowly chipped it away until Faith let her in. She remembered one of the first times Faith told her she loved her. Destiny knew that was hard for her and she wasn't sure she believed her.

Faith smiled. "I love you, Destiny."

She smiled and wanted to believe it was true.

"I'm the one with trust issues," Faith continued. "But not with you. I love you and I'll keep saying it until you believe me."

"I believe you, babe," Destiny said.

"I think I need to do more than say it," Faith said, leaning in until her lips almost touched Destiny's. "I want you to feel it."

Faith scarcely nibbled Destiny's bottom lip, sending a rush of electricity through her body.

Destiny shivered, remembering the heat of that kiss. She handed the phone back to Faith. "I understand why you thought that was me. I know you don't like confrontation, but this was our life. You walked away from us so easily."

"Is that how it looked to you?" Faith asked with shock in her voice. "It was the hardest thing I've ever done!"

Destiny leaned back against the wall and sighed. "I'm so tired."

"Lean on me, Des," Faith said, sitting back next to her.

"Mmm," Destiny murmured. "You have no idea how much I'd like to, but…"

"I'll earn your trust again," Faith said softly.

What a crazy twist to the day, Destiny thought. For months, actually years, she had tried to be the person Faith could count on and trust. Look at them now. She had to admit Faith sounded more determined than she'd ever heard her.

They had shared a connection from the beginning that Destiny couldn't explain. She'd never felt it with anyone else. Destiny knew she had to go slow with Faith, but she felt her heart opening as they fell in love.

Tonight, she heard Faith's words, but she also felt the strength and conviction behind them. She'd never heard Faith sound quite so strong and brave. That's what was different tonight. Faith was brave. Where did that come from and why did it take so long?

Destiny felt her head nod as the exhaustion of it all crept up on her. She was trying to think through it all, but her last thought before giving in to sleep was of Faith. I still love you, too, but…

Destiny woke to the sound of a dog growling. She opened her eyes and realized her head was on Faith's shoulder.

Just then Faith moved and yawned. "It's getting light outside," she said.

Destiny rose to her feet and looked out the window. The dogs were still there, but she didn't see any sign of the workers.

"Let's hope they start work early around here," Destiny said.

"We fell asleep."

Destiny turned around and looked down at Faith. "Yeah, there were a lot of emotions flying around here."

"I know you think I gave up on us," Faith said. "But I didn't. I gave up on myself. I won't do that again."

Destiny desperately wanted to believe her. "What happened? Have you found a newfound strength overnight?"

"Something like that," Faith said, stretching her arms over her head.

Destiny could remember those arms wrapped around her neck pulling her in for a kiss. She shook the thought aside and raised her eyebrows."What gave you this strength?"

"I saw the truth in your eyes," Faith said. "I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough back then to look at you."

"I want to believe in you, Faith, but it's so hard. You have to admit this is such a quick turnaround."

Faith nodded. "You'll see. I'll show you."

Destiny sighed. The desire to let all the doubts go was palpable, but Destiny was wary. She'd meant it last night when she told Faith she wouldn't survive losing her again.

"Someone will be here soon and let us out," Faith said. "Will you still work with me on this project?"

Destiny nodded, knowing that was their only hope to win the bid. She reached down and grabbed both their shirts off the floor.

"Thanks," Faith said, putting her shirt back on. "Do you want to work on ideas for the main building at my shop? It's closer."

Destiny sighed. "I think I'd rather go home and shower. Maybe we could get together later this afternoon."

"Okay," Faith quickly agreed. "Whatever you want."

Destiny turned around and stared at Faith. "Don't be like that," she said.

"Like what?"

"Nice," Destiny replied. "Doing whatever I want. That will last about as long as it takes us to walk to the parking lot. I told you we can work together and I meant it."

Faith chuckled. "Maybe I like being nice to you. It's been a while."

Destiny raised her eyebrows and caught herself before she said something unkind.

"Go ahead," Faith said. "It's my fault it's been so long."

A slow smile crept across Destiny's face. There had been times when she was sure Faith could read her mind. That hadn't seemed to change even though they'd been apart.

"We never had any problems working together," Destiny said.

"Not really," Faith said. "Sometimes it took a little longer for you to see it my way than others, but it all worked out."

"Ha ha," Destiny said. Then she caught herself. "Oh no you don't." She shook her head. They were not going to fall right back into the ease they shared before it all blew up. Too much had happened and Destiny would not let her heart be broken over and over again. She suddenly realized that's how Faith must have felt every time her parents didn't show up for her or when her ex cheated on her.

"Des, listen," Faith said. "I think I heard a vehicle."

They both went to the window and saw that the dogs were still there. A whistle echoed from somewhere towards the parking lot. The dogs looked in that direction, but they stayed at the door to the building. When they began to bark, it didn't take long until Destiny could see a golf cart moving towards them. "Here they come."

"I know you're ready to get out of here, but at least some good came from being trapped with me," Faith said. "You did save me from the dogs, Des."

Destiny looked at Faith and smirked. "I would never intentionally hurt you."

"I know that," Faith said. "I knew it then, but I wouldn't let myself believe it."

Destiny swallowed the lump in her throat. How could two people who loved each other so much hurt each other just as badly? It didn't make sense.

"Hey!" Faith yelled out the window. "We're trapped in here."

Two men got out of the golf cart and one leashed the dogs.

Destiny and Faith explained what happened. One man gave them a ride to the parking lot while the other walked the dogs back to his vehicle. They all agreed it was an unfortunate accident, but the dog handler would now be doing a sweep around the property instead of simply releasing the dogs and leaving.

"Do you want to get a cup of coffee?" Faith asked. "I'll buy."

"How about a beer later this afternoon?" Destiny replied. She needed to get away from Faith and process everything that happened last night.

Faith smiled. "I know you're going to have questions, Des. Please don't do what I did. Ask me. I'll answer everything and try to help you understand."

"Understand?"

Faith nodded. "Yeah, while you were sleeping a lot of things became clear to me."

"Hmm, maybe you'll share them with me this time?" Destiny said, trying to stop the sarcasm in her voice.

"I'm sharing everything with you from now on," Faith said. "Don't be afraid. I'm not."

Destiny didn't know what to think or say.

"I know that sounds absurd coming from me because I let all this happen out of fear," Faith said. "But no more."

Destiny simply nodded. "Okay, I'll text you later."

Faith smiled as Destiny got in her truck.