Page 69 of Crazy in Love

“Let’s just go,” she mumbled.

She matched his gimpy gait back to the car.

“You need to get out of Green Valley Falls more. The world’s not as sweet as you think.”

“Humph. At least he didn’t want my animal crackers.” She popped one into her mouth. “I wasn’t in the mood to share anyway.”

They arrived at his place safely, and it was all he could do not to kiss the ground. He wondered—a little too late—how often she actually got on the freeway. If all she did was ride her bike around town and drive to and from the neighboring cities, her driving experience was severely limited.

Once inside, Faith’s smile went into hiding. Ever since he’d mentioned coming home, her perpetual state of happiness seemed forced. Her perky attitude, fake. Having her drive him back might not have been one of his better ideas.

“You wanna get something to eat?” he asked. “I know a great Italian place nearby.”

“I’m not really hungry.” She patted her stomach. “Too many animal crackers.”

He approached and put his hands on her waist. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said but wouldn’t look him in the eyes.

He studied her. “Remember when I said I could tell instantly when someone was lying?” He cocked an eyebrow.

“Fine. Iwillbe fine,” she amended.

“I’m sorry, Faith. I had to come back. You knew that. My life is here.”

She stepped out of his arms and turned away. “I can’t do this, Nick,” she said. “I thought I could handle a fling. Thought that after you left everything would go back to normal. But it’s turned into something more for me. I think I’m in love with you.”

He shouldn’t have been surprised. Either that she’d fallen in love or that she was so blunt about telling him. Truth betold, love had crossed his mind too, but he’d brushed it off as impossible. They’d only been together a few weeks, she was his complete opposite, and she lived a hundred miles away. None of those things boded well for anything long-term.

“Faith, I really like you.” She turned to face him, a glimmer of hope in her pretty blue eyes. “But I don’t see how we could make this work. You don’t want to leave GVF, and I can’t leave Boston.” His heart sank as the hopeful glint died.

“I understand,” she said. “I knew goodbye would be hard. I just didn’t think it would hurt, you know?”

“Yeah. I do know.”

“Don’t tell Tess,” they said simultaneously and chuckled.

She approached, put her arms around his waist, and looked up at him. “I’m gonna head back,” she said. “It wouldn’t be good for my heart to stay another night with you.”

“Okay,” he whispered. She was right, but selfishly, he still wanted her to stay.

She kissed him tenderly and walked out the door. Taking a small chunk of his heart with her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The tears started before Faith reached the curb, but she wouldn’t let Nick see her cry. Exposing her feelings and subsequently walking out had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done. And that was saying a lot, considering all the stuff she’d gone through with her mom that year. She’d done it to spare her heart from breaking completely, but apparently not in time to save it from cracking.

The next morning, Tess popped her head into Faith’s bedroom. “I thought I heard you come in late last night. You okay?”

Faith nodded. “Decided it was best if I just drop him off and come home.”

“All right.” She dragged out the words. “Well, I’m going to work. You know where to find me if you want to talk.”

“Thanks for not saying I told you so.”

Tess smiled. “Love you, Sullivan.”

“Love you too,” Faith said as Tess backed out and shut the door.

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