Good Lord.
Faith: Jesus.
Faith: And how exactly am I supposed to find this truck?
Thor: I’ll drop you a pin. Big open field. You’ll see the truck. You’ll know it’s me.
Faith: A random pin in the middle of nowhere? That doesn’t sound shady at all.
Faith: Am I finally going to see your face?
Thor: Maybe. But I am going to make every one of your fantasies come true.
Faith: Not sure what you have in mind...but I’m open.
I turn off my lamp, phone pressed to my chest, my heart still racing.
For once, my future isn’t written out in a church bulletin.
It’s in a truck.
In a field.
And for the first time in my life...
I’m ready to drive toward it.
17
FAITH
It’s my first official shift at Holloway’s the next evening as a full employee, but before I head into the restaurant, April is giving me a good talking to.
“A truck bed? In some random field? Faith, are you for real right now?” April says. “I mean that guy was sexy, yes. And Mont du Marquettedoesvet their people. But like, come on. I will not have you be the next subject on my favorite serial killer podcast.”
“I know, I know. It’s just that I trust him, okay?!”
“I’m all for you having fun. But maybe this is just atadextreme? Meeting for a first date with a guy you met once?”
I sigh.
April huffs. “You do realize this is howeveryDateline episode starts, right? Girl meets mysterious guy with a hot voice, agrees to meet himin a field,and boom—next thing you know, we’re all lighting candles at your vigil.”
“God, April,” I groan. “You’re being dramatic.”
“I’m beingrealistic. Do you even know his last name? Have you reverse image searched the abs?”
“I’ve thought it all through, okay? I just sent you a screenshot of his number, and I’ve got location sharing on with you, Daphne, and Maya. I’m taking pictures of the truck, the plate, the whole setup. If anything feels weird, I’m out.”
A pause. Then her voice softens—just a little. “Okay… better. Just promise me you won’t drink anything he hands you unless it’s sealed. And if he says he wants to ‘show you something in the woods,’ yourun,Faith. Run like your life depends on it. Because it does.”
“Got it. No woods. No drinks. No unmarked white vans.”
“And no unbuckling pants until you hear at leastonereal-life last name,” she adds.
I laugh. “Okay, okay. I promise.”
“You’re lucky I love you. And if this guy turns out to be a creep? I’m taking that number and handing it over to every woman I know.”
