Staring at the wooden stick she still had to use brought on some remorse, but she’d kill me if she knew, so I masked my thoughts as quickly as I could. I did, however, pick up on the change in her facial expression before she could do the same.
Sadness flashed in her eyes, along with longing. Dusty liked that he called her Auntie and the new friends she had made. She wanted more than what she had back home—and she was made for more—but I listened when she said she couldn’t leave her parents right now. I just hoped she found her way again even if she couldn’t have the path she had originally chosen for herself.
It may have taken her a second too long to cover up her feelings, but she eventually did and began teasing Griffin. They said their goodbyes, Patience hugged her again, thanking her for the hundredth time for saving her, and then they stepped back so I could take my turn.
We stared at each other for a beat before she punched me in the arm, but then I dragged her into a quick hug.
“Take care of yourself and stay in touch,” I told her.
“Will do,” she replied. Then she hesitated before saying, “I’m sorry I didn’t keep hold of that fucker.”
I didn’t have to ask whom she meant. Dusty had been kicking herself for not taking down Patience’s attacker, so we had some idea of who he was and what exactly he wanted. There were no leads, and while it looked like it was some random attempt to hurt a woman or maybe he’d planned on stealing from her—thanks to Dusty he hadn’t gotten the chance—it was still hard not knowing for sure.
Yet, that wasn’t my friend's fault—at all.
“You saved her.” I held up my hand to ward off her protests. “My wife’s okay because of you, period.”
She nodded in acceptance.
“She’s too good for your sorry ass,” she said, a smirk on her face. “Don’t fuck it up.”
What a statement when I’d royally fucked up earlier in the day. A pang hit my chest as I thought about how I’d hurt Patience. But I was going to do my best to not do that shit again. I never meant to nor would I intentionally, I just was still trying to process the past and wasn’t always at my best.
“You two are perfect for each other. You're without a doubt meant to be together.”
Dusty’s comment was spot on but so unlike her that I couldn’t help but tease. “What have you done with my friend? When did you get all sappy?”
She punched me in the arm again, laughing. “Romance books, buddy. You should try one sometime.”
Before I could respond, they were calling her flight to board.
“Gotta go,” she said.
I saw the look in her eyes; she was struggling, but my friend was tough and didn’t want to lose it.
Waving at everyone, she turned and quickly walked away. She glanced back once and then disappeared.
Patience and Griffin walked over to me, each clasping one of my hands. “How about we go to brunch?”
“Whoo-hoo!” Griffin cheered as Patience leaned in and said, “Sounds perfect.”
They were perfect. Myfamily.
As we walked out of the airport, I just prayed that nothing would ever take them away from me.
Chapter Thirty-One
PATIENCE
I couldn’t outrun my past.
Hitting the button to increase the speed, my feet pounded harder and faster against the treadmill belt. But to no avail—punishing my body during my lunch hour wasn’t helping to take the edge off or relieve the stress of what was transpiring that afternoon.
It had been two weeks since Dusty left, and Jett hadn’t ever returned to his condo. In fact, there had been some chatter between us about going back to Gramps’s place with everyone, but there wasn’t anything official in the works.
I loved it there, but there was also something really nice about us having our own space too. It felt like things were growing between the three of us—a true family unit—just like I’d always dreamed of.
Also, having Jett in my bed every night—especially after discovering how phenomenal sex could be with him—was no hardship.
