Page 25 of A New Chapter in Rosewood Beach

“And I’m sure whatever it is, it’s going to be okay.” Alexis squeezed Faith’s hand. “Remember, no matter what, you’ve got us. We’re here for you. We’ve got your back.”

Faith hiccupped and mustered a watery smile. She felt more grateful than she could express for how supportive they were being. She took several deep breaths and dabbed at all of the tears that were streaming down her face.

“Okay,” she said finally. “Thank you, guys. I feel a little better now. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to totally break down like that.”

“Don’t apologize,” Hazel urged her.

“It’s about Ryan,” Faith gasped out, and then had to take another deep breath to keep herself from crying again. “I heard him say—well, he told me, but he said it in an offhand way—that he doesn’t ever want to get married. Or at least, that was never his plan. And it’s really been messing with my head. I’m scared that I’m going to have to break up with him, because I don’t want to stay in a relationship with a man that isn’t open to the idea of a lifelong commitment.”

“But if he said it in an offhand way,” Hazel said, keeping her arm around Faith’s shoulders, “maybe he meant it as a joke?”

Faith shook her head. “No, he said it like it was a fact. And we’ve never talked about whether or not we were open to the idea of marriage. I guess I just assumed that he would be if things continued to go well, but maybe he assumed that marriage was off the table unless we had some kind of conversation about it.”

“That doesn’t sound like Ryan,” Vivian said, shaking her head. “He’s such a considerate young man.”

“Well, he is a McCormick,” Alexis said flatly, and she was promptly shushed by everyone. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I wouldn’t expect that kind of behavior from Ryan either. And I don’t think most people assume that marriage is off the table without a conversation, do they? I would think it’s the other wayaround. If he wants a relationship that definitely isn’t headed in that direction, it’s his job to say that to you.”

Faith bit her lip. “But maybe he just didn’t? Maybe I said something once that he took the wrong way, or?—”

“Hey.” Julia patted Faith’s arm. “Look at me. No spiraling. Eat some lasagna.”

Faith laughed and obeyed.

“I think it’s pretty clear what you need to do here,” Julia said gently. “You need to talk with Ryan.”

“I agree.” Vivian nodded. “I know it’s scary, but there’s no way you can know what he’s thinking and feeling unless you have a straightforward conversation with him.”

“Yes.” Hazel gave Faith a gentle hug. “You just need to talk with him.”

Faith swallowed, feeling her stomach slosh with anxiety. “I’m so scared of talking to him, though. What if it makes everything fall apart?”

Julia shook her head. “It won’t. And the more you wait, the more anxious you’re going to feel.”

Faith groaned. “You’re right. But I almost brought it up with him the other day, and then I realized that I don’t know how to phrase it. Like, I don’t want to make it sound like some kind of ultimatum.”

Hazel shook her head. “It is an ultimatum. That’s okay. You need to follow your heart in this, and you’re not willing to stay in a relationship that has no chance of ending in marriage. Just phrase it to him kindly—but I know you will. There’s no perfect way you need to say any of this, you just need to say it.”

“Hazel is absolutely right,” Vivian said warmly. “If the bond between two people is genuine, an honest conversation won’t cause it to fall apart. Conversations are so important, because communication is the foundation of any good relationship, whether it’s between romantic partners or friends.” Shehesitated, and then added, “As a matter of fact, I need to have an upfront conversation with someone in my own life soon. I need to clearly express my thoughts and feelings—once I know what those are.”

Julia, Hazel, and Alexis all shared a knowing look again.

Although she could feel her heart hammering in her chest, Faith took a deep breath and nodded. “You’re right. I will talk to him.” She blinked back her last remaining tears and smiled. “After all, if I do need to end our relationship, I might as well get it over with, right?”

“Don’t think like that!” Hazel urged her. “I bet it will all work out beautifully. Stay optimistic, and you’ll be less afraid that way.”

“But won’t I be less hurt that way?” Faith swallowed.

“You’re thinking of this conversation like you’re going to open a door and suddenly know what’s on the other side.” Julia shook her head. “It’s more like a path. Think of it that way. You and Ryan are going to walk down that path together, and together you’re going to find out what’s at the end of it.”

Faith’s heart lifted when she heard Julia’s advice. “That’s a really good point.” She smiled. "Thank you, Julia, it does help me to think of it that way.”

“Good.” Hazel gave her another hug before going to sit back down at the table. “I’m sure it will work out great.”

“And until you’re talking to him, do your best not to think about it,” Alexis urged her.

“We’ll help distract you,” Hazel volunteered. “When you want to think about Ryan, just think about that lemon meringue pie that’s waiting for us.”

“I know how to keep us all distracted,” Julia said with a good-natured grimace. “I have an update.”

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