She blinks. “This situation?”
“You know what I mean. You and Hunter. The way you’ve—what happened to Keith was unfortunate, but you don’t just?—”
“Don’t what?” Faith asks calmly. “Don’t walk away from something that doesn’t make you happy? Don’t walk away from a guy who is one foot in, one foot out with you?”
Mr. Stinson shifts uncomfortably. “You had a future set up. A secure one. Love isn’t perfect. Especially when you’re young.”
“No,” she says. “Youhad a future set up for me and Keith. And I went along with it. I wore the ring. I played the part. But it wasn’t mine.”
Mr. Stinson—Mayor Stinson—seems at a loss for words. You could hear a pin drop. I love hearing Faith give it to him.
Faith’s voice softens just a little. “I don’t expect you to understand. But I need you to know—I didn’t throw anything away. I chose something better. I really wish your son well and I hope he’s happy. But he’s got some soul-searching to do. And he’s got to do that alone, away from me.”
Stinson’s mouth opens and closes, but he doesn’t say anything.
She nods, turns, and walks away without waiting for permission.
And holy hell.
She walks straight back to me, calm as ever, picks up her lemonade, and takes a long sip like nothing happened.
Daphne appears beside me and mutters, “You married up, Holloway.”
I don’t even try to argue. Because she’s right.
“Okay.” Faith heaves a heavy sigh. “One awkward conversation down at this barbecue.”
“Two if you count Keith,” I remind her.
“Right. I’m doing better than I thought.”
“You always do.”
She smiles at me, and gives me a kiss. “Alright. This is the tough one. Daddy and I have been avoiding each other all week. But it’s time.”
The grill crackles beside me, but I’m not watching the fire.
I’m watching her.
Faith walks slowly toward her mom and dad, who are standing at the edge of the yard near the bird bath, both with their arms crossed like they’re bracing for a storm.
She pauses beside them. Says something I can’t hear.
He nods. Faith nods. Her mom presses her lips together. They start walking—just the three of them—toward the gravel path that leads into the woods behind the property. Not far, but far enough for privacy.
My chest tightens.
Daphne comes up beside me, cradling her lemonade like it’s a newborn. “You think they’re gonna give you their blessing or grab a shotgun?”
I snort. “Fifty-fifty.”
“Fair.” She clinks her glass against mine. “She’s a badass, though. Whatever he says, she won’t back down.”
I nod. But still, I can’t help but watch the trees like they’ll spit her out hurt.
Please don’t say something stupid to her, man. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.
Ten minutes go by. Then fifteen.
