Page 57 of Crazy in Love

“I was. I am. I don’t know. Is there a right answer to these questions?”

Tess huffed. “I’m not your mom. I’m not his girlfriend. Do what you want.” She threw up her hands. “Just don’t come crying to me when it crashes and burns.”

“Deal. In the meantime, can we keep this between me and you for now? I’ll tell Juliet and Alex once there’s something to tell.”

Tess nodded. “Fine.”

Faith knew it was foolish to start something with Nick. Knew there was no longevity in it. They were oil and water, night and day, but even so, she was drawn to him. Felt a connection she never had before. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think she was falling in love with him.

And who knew, maybe the gods would smile down on her, and they’d work out somehow. What if he grew to love it here and decided to stay? What if he grew to loveherhere and was compelled to stay?

She gave herself a mental slap in the face. No. That line of thinking was precisely what Tess was warning her about. If she was going to do this, try this thing with Nick, she had to be honest with herself. It was short term. Full stop.

She went into the store for a few hours and was relieved to find out Irene had returned. Apparently, when push came to shove, an afternoon free of Frank trumped an ill-begotten cup of coffee.

Before heading out, she fed Tiger and emptied his litter box. She continued to periodically ask if he wanted to come home with her, but he didn’t seem inclined to want to leave the bookstore. Just like her mom.

When Faith arrived home, she was pleasantly surprised to see someone had gone to the grocery store. Apples sat stacked in a wooden bowl on the table, and a new bunch of bananas hung from the hanger.

“Hey, guys,” she said, entering the living room where her dad stared at the TV and Hope stared at her phone. “Who went grocery shopping?”

Her dad raised his hand. “I got fruitandvegetables, already took my meds, and walked half a mile.”

“Gold star, Dad.” She smiled. He was making progress. Faith wondered if that had anything to do with the widow Hickman, who routinely walked around the neighborhood.

“How’s school going, Hope?”

“Good.” She barely glanced up from her phone. “Hey, can you chaperone the homecoming dance? It’s in like two weeks. The Friday before the Fall Festival.”

“Oh,” Faith said. “Sure. That sounds fun.” It didn’t, but she couldn’t say no.

“Cool.” Hope stood. “I’m goin’ to bed. Night.”

Faith waited until Hope’s door closed. “It’s only eight o’clock. What’s up with that?”

He spoke just above a whisper. “I talked to her about last night’s ‘incident’ and her recent behavior. Grounded her for the shoplifting and forbid her from seeing that boy anymore.”

“How’d she take it?”

“She actually seemed relieved. You were right. She’s been crying out for boundaries, and I did her a real disservice by not giving them to her. We had a good talk about Mom and how the cancer wasn’t Hope’s fault. I think she’ll be okay now.”

“That’s great, Dad. How about you? Are you going to be okay?”

“Yes.” He sighed. “Losing your mom was a brutal blow, but I feel a little better every day. I appreciate all you’ve done for me and Hope. All you did for your mother before she passed, and what you’re still doing with the bookstore. I’m much strongerand can handle things now if you want to move back to your place.”

“That’s great news. Tess’s brother just vacated my room, so I’ll get out of your hair soon. You know I’m always just a few miles away.”

It would be nice to return home. Stop living out of a suitcase. Now that her dad and Hope were on the path to okay, she would pack up and leave tomorrow.

CHAPTER TWENTY

It hadn’t even been a full week since the operation, and already, Nick could tell this time around would be different—better. He’d been up and walking the day after the surgery, and now, six days later, he’d made it all the way to town from his parents’ house—that was almost a mile. He might have to call Tess for a ride home, but still, progress was progress.

The best part was that he was down to only half a pain pill a day—usually first thing in the morning when he was stiffest. Desperate to be Vicodin and cane-free as soon as possible, he’d decided to double down on the healing this time. He’d even agreed to meet with Faith the next day to try some of her woo-woo stuff.

He saw Faith every day, but because they were staying on the down-low, they hadn’t had an opportunity to attempt their date again. And other than a few conversations at the bookshop and a couple of shared lunches with Tess at the diner, they hadn’t spent any time alone together either.

It was the third week of September, and the weather had finally turned, hinting fall was around the corner. He’d gotten so cold sitting in the park that he’d returned to the coffee shop for a second cup of joe. Hope was behind the counter and lit up when he entered.

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