She yawned.
“I’m not going to give up on us, Faith,” he said softly and she could see the determination in his eyes. It confused her. He had been so insistent he couldn’t love another woman. Was it just the fire making him say these things? She had to resist him or she would only get hurt in a week or so when the intense scare he had faded away. He would be back to loving Josie.
“I’m not Josie, Adam,” she said sadly. Her eyes grew watery and her vision became blurry. “You’re still in love with her, remember? I deserve a man who is going to love me. I have never been loved before and I refuse to settle for pity or duty. It would devastate me.”
Adam looked at her with grief. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy to convince you of my feelings. I’ve done a good job of having my head up my ass. If you give me another chance, I will spend the rest of my life making sure you are happy.”
“You’ll get over it in a few days and you’ll be back clinging to your old memory,” she insisted.
She yawned again. “It’s too late for us, Adam, but I would like you to be there for our child. I always felt responsible for my dad leaving us. Raising children is hard work and I thought maybe we were too much trouble for him. I don’t want our daughter feeling that way.”
“I don’t either, and I will be there for her and you. I am not giving up,” he said firmly again. “I see how tired you are but I will see you later.”
Faith barely nodded at him before her eyes closed and she fell into a much needed sleep. Sleep was easier, so she let herself go.
* * * *
Faith sat on her couch in her office. They had stayed at a hotel for three days and she did nothing but rest. She made Jenny the manager and gave her a raise. It had been good to have a lot of time to just relax. Now she felt more energized. Her doctor said her blood pressure was lower and he was happy about that.
Holly was staying with a friend from school while Faith tried to find another house. They checked out of the hotel that morning and she planned on spending the night on the couch in her office. Tomorrow she had a couple of places to look at.
Alana had tried to convince her to stay with her, but Alana was still a newlywed and she felt funny intruding. The shop was cold and she had a thick sweater on. Thankfully most of their clothes just needed a few washings and were okay. The furniture had been a total loss.
She looked at the clock. She was supposed to meet Alana for dinner. She didn’t feel hungry, but she knew she had to eat.
She looked down at her black stretchy pants she had bought the other day. She was finally gaining weight and her jeans no longer fit. Her light gray sweater was baggy and loose. She brushed her hair and headed out to her car. She drove the mile to the Garcia place. She hoped she didn’t see Adam there. After his visit at the hospital, she hadn’t seen him again.
Christmas was the day after tomorrow and she felt depressed. She always did during the holidays but she tried to pretend cheerfulness for Holly’s sake. She just looked around and saw people talking about all their plans with family and friends. She was grateful she had Holly but it got rather lonely still. The thought that next year she would have a baby to spoil was the only thing that cheered her up.
She was still confused about Adam’s speech at the hospital. She ignored all his phone calls. She felt vulnerable and wanted to wait until she felt strong enough to deal with him. She thought about asking Alana for her advice. She knew Adam better than Faith did.
She parked her car and went inside. Mrs. Garcia waved her over to the bar. “Alana is running late, but have a seat. Can I get you some juice?”
Faith slipped onto the barstool, leaving her coat on. Christmas music played in the background. “Yes please. That tea you gave me worked wonders. Even my doctor was impressed with my weight gain.”
Lucy Garcia sent her a pleased smile. “I knew it would. It is a home remedy, but it worked with all three of my babies.”
They made small talk when Faith noticed a girl sitting a few seats down with another woman. Faith groaned silently. Nina Sanchez hated Faith. They went to school together and Nina had always bullied Faith and Holly because they were poor. Faith had kicked her out of her coffee shop when Nina tried to get an attitude with her.
Nina turned and spotted Faith. Her smile turned cruel. She had on a fancy black dress and heels.
“Heard you were homeless, Faith.” She sneered loudly so others could hear her. Faith’s cheeks turned red, but she did her best to ignore Nina and not cry. Damn hormones. She wanted to feel anger, not cry like a baby. All she did these days was cry.
Nina’s dinner companion laughed. “Having a bad year, Faith? Pregnant, alone, and homeless.”
Faith tried to think of a witty comeback, but her mind was blank, and if a hole opened up on the floor she would gladly jump in.
Chapter 13
Adam swallowed down his nervousness. Alana was playing matchmaker again. She invited Faith to meet her for dinner but insisted Adam tag along. Noah was working the night shift and convinced Adam to go with Alana and keep the girls company.
What if Faith walked out? She hadn’t answered any of his calls since he confessed his feelings in the hospital. Now he knew what it felt like when she called him every day and he blew her off. It only made him feel worse knowing he had hurt her so deeply. He was at a loss on how to convince her that he meant what he said. He loved her, but she had warned him it would be too late by the time he came to his senses
.
He spotted her from outside as he parked the car. He saw her red hair right away. It was growing past her shoulders and he liked it. He couldn’t help but admit he was excited to see her. He walked in the door with Alana. He spotted a girl he hooked up with last spring and now he avoided her like the plague. Nina Sanchez. Not only was she clingy, but she was conceited and mean. He heard her callous remarks to Faith and it made his blood boil.
“We should have brought Alicia. She hates Nina and Patty,” Alana muttered with murder in her eyes. She stalked over to Faith and kissed her cheek in a greeting. Faith gave her a shaky smile and she looked so sad. Adam’s heart shattered and he wanted to hold her and protect her from the world.