Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
“Faith? Dr. Petrie wants to see you in her office.”
As soon as the receptionist left, having borne the bad news, Faith groaned.
“Dude, what did you do?” Myra asked.
A visit to their boss’s office was rarely a good sign. Faith ran through the possibilities. Had she forgotten an appointment? Had a patient complained? “Guess I’d better go find out.”
The door to the office was open. Dr. Petrie looked up from her tablet computer. “Faith, come on in. Close the door?”
Faith did as the dentist asked and sat down in a chair in front of her desk. The room was perfectly organized, not a paper out of place, not a single picture frame crooked. Even the potted plant had symmetrical leaves.
“Is there something wrong?” Faith asked.
“Why would you say that?”
Faith tried to smile, pretending this meeting wasn’t giving her an ulcer. “No reason.”
“Well, I just had a call about Gabriella.”
“Oh, no.” Their eight-year-old patient who’d been having so much trouble with her teeth lately. “Is she all right?” Faith hadn’t seen the girl or her mother in a couple of weeks.
Dr. Petrie flattened her hands on the surface of the desk. “She’s doing great. Her mother wanted to let me know they’re going on vacation to Costa Rica, and they plan to do some horseback riding. Apparently, Gabriella has talked about nothing else since you gave her a drawing? Of a horse?”
Faith nodded, still unclear what this was about.
“Her mom credits you for keeping Gabriella’s spirits up through all her procedures and complications. I’m relieved she’s out of pain, but it’s thanks to you that she’s been handling all of this so well.”
Faith hardly knew what to say. “I’m so glad she’s doing better. And going on vacation? That’s a big step.” Gabriella’s mom had mentioned before it was hard for them to leave home because the little girl was so often in pain.
“Most kids with her problems would hate seeing me, but her mom is right. You’ve made this into a relaxing place for Gabriella to visit. Her mom is grateful, and so am I. Well done.”
She didn’t think Dr. Petrie had ever paid her a compliment before. “Thank you.”
“I know you’ve been going through some tough times lately,” the dentist went on. “I had a difficult divorce several years ago myself. I know how it can be. I realize I don’t always come across as sympathetic, but I am.”
The woman said all this awkwardly, like it wasn’t natural for her. But not everyone communicated in the same way. Faith almost laughed, she was so relieved. Dr Petrie actually liked her? Was this happening?
“Doctor, I work hard here. I give our patients my all. You’re right, I’ve been through some tough times, and I haven’t always felt supported here.
If I give you feedback on office policies, would you be willing to listen?
” Faith had been taught to be respectful of her superiors. But that didn’t mean sitting quiet.
Dr. Petrie nodded. “I may not agree with you. But I will listen. If there’s anything you need, a way I can support you, well…you’ll let me know?
“I’m doing much better now, actually. My divorce is final, as of today.”
“That’s quite a milestone. Are you doing something to celebrate?”
Faith grinned. “I am. I have big plans.”
“With your boyfriend?” The dentist must’ve seen her blushing. “Don’t worry. I’m not criticizing. I heard Myra talking about him.”
Why wasn’t she surprised? “My boyfriend’s out of town visiting his family. I’m going out with my girlfriends.”
“Sounds like the best way to commemorate the occasion.” Dr. Petrie stood and offered her hand. “I’ll see you bright and early on Monday, as usual?”
“Yes, Doctor. Looking forward to it.”
Tanner’s sister Kaylee drove up to the valet stand.
“What do we do now?” Faith asked, craning her neck to watch the activity in front of the restaurant. She’d thought people got dressed up to go out in West Oaks, but that was nothing to the people strolling along Sunset Boulevard.
Myra leaned forward from the backseat. “Faith, have you never parked at a valet before?”
“Are you really that surprised?”
“You are so freaking cute,” Kaylee said.
Sylvie piped up. “I’d like the record to show that I did not laugh. However, Kaylee is right. You’re really freaking cute.”
Faith stuck out her tongue at her friends.
She was excited about this night out. Tanner’s sister was staying with her, and the two of them were quickly becoming close friends. Kaylee was ecstatic about having a weekend away from her three kids, and Faith was just happy to be out with her friends.
Except for this whole valet parking thing, which still seemed a little weird. Just turning over the car to some random person? Her dad would never have been okay with it.
The valet finally arrived. They all got out, and Sylvie snatched up the ticket. “I’m holding onto that. I don’t want one of you to lose it drinking twenty-dollar cocktails.”
“Good,” Kaylee said, “because this mama hasn’t been out on the town in a year, at least. I plan to get crazy, so look out.” She put an arm around Faith’s shoulders as they went inside. “There’s only one rule tonight—you do not tell my older brother how drunk I get.”
Faith scoffed. “I would never.”
Inside, loud music, laughter, and chatter filled the air.
Servers passed by holding vividly hued cocktails and tiny, Instagram-ready bites of food.
This was the fanciest restaurant Faith had ever stepped into.
It was like something from a movie, all swanky fabrics and dim lighting and off-duty models as bartenders.
She and her friends had worn sparkly dresses and heels, and Faith felt a little bit like a movie star herself.
Going out on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles was one of her bucket list items. But it definitely wasn’t Tanner’s scene.
This was the perfect place to experience with her girlfriends, sipping fruity drinks and watching the impeccably dressed people around them.
The prices on the menu made her eyes bulge, but tonight was about celebrating her freedom. She resolved not to worry about it.
A little while later, the four of them raised their glasses in a toast.
Kaylee was sitting next to her in the booth. Sylvie and Myra sat across from them.
“What do you want to bet Tanner is changing a diaper right now?” Kaylee asked.
Tanner was at the farm helping out his brother-in-law with the boys. He’d planned to spend a lot of time with his brother Brayden as well.
Faith cracked up. “I’m sure he’ll dive right in. He’s all about embracing discomfort.”
“Well, he’s welcome to it.” Kaylee bumped Faith’s shoulder with hers. “You miss him, don’t you? I see that wistful look in your eyes.”
“I can’t help it. It’s our first weekend apart since we got together. I know it’s only been a couple of months, but it feels like longer.”
“Doesn’t matter how long it is. When you’re with the right person, you just know. I miss all my boys like crazy, but it’s good to have a little break. I promise, when this weekend is over, you’ll enjoy seeing Tanner that much more.”
Myra leaned over the table. “And I bet the sex will be that much better, too.”
“Don’t really need to hear details. But yeah, it’s probably true.” Kaylee wrinkled her nose. “I just know I’ve never seen Tanner this happy. I’m glad he has someone like you to look out for him. He’s always been so concerned about other people and not as good about watching out for himself.”
Tanner had told his family what he was going through. They’d been just as supportive as Faith had expected.
Sylvie raised her lemonade in agreement. She was the designated driver. “That’s Tanner exactly. He’s one of my best friends, and to see him with another of the people I love? I can’t even describe how great it makes me feel.”
Faith’s nose burned. They were going to make her cry. She’d never felt so loved and supported as she did on a daily basis in West Oaks. It was hard to believe this was really her life. It was more than she’d ever hoped for or imagined.
Faith had spoken with her mother and siblings, sharing the truth about Jon’s arrest and the reasons for it. They were coming around to her side. She didn’t know how much she wanted her family in Texas to be a part of her life.
But Faith hoped she could have a good relationship with her mother someday, even if her mom never outwardly acknowledged how detrimental Faith’s marriage had been.
These women, right here—they were a family to her, too.
The four of them ordered too much food and drank too many cocktails with ridiculous names, except for Sylvie, who rolled her eyes at them. As it got later, a dance floor opened up on one side of the restaurant, and Kaylee pulled Myra over with her.
Sylvie slid into Faith’s side of the booth. “So, how does it feel to be officially not-married?”
Faith looked into her near-empty glass. “It’s hard to describe. But it’s good. So, so good.”
She’d had a lot of ups and downs in the last two months since her near overdose.
Jon and Kyle were now both in jail, with charges pending related to their drug scheme.
Kyle also faced multiple charges for her assault and kidnapping.
Both men were expected to plead guilty, which would save Faith from having to testify in court about everything that happened.
She would’ve done it, of course. But she was glad to know with certainty that Kyle would be punished. Both he and Jon faced years in prison.
Jon had written her several emails, but she’d chosen to communicate with his public defender instead. She wished him peace. But a clean break was going to be better for the both of them in the long run.
Both Jon and Kyle were segregated from the main population in the jail after threats on their lives.
Apparently, the L.A. cartels had heard about their activities and didn’t look kindly on the violation of their territory.
She didn’t wish for Jon or even Kyle to be hurt.
Whatever happened, it was beyond her control, and she simply tried not to think about it.
Everything she’d been through had brought her here to this moment. How could she have any regrets?
“I would never have come to West Oaks if it wasn’t for you,” she said to Sylvie. “You forgave me and took me in. You’re my real family, and I could never pay you back for all you’ve given me.”
“Oh, you can’t say stuff like that and not hug me. I’m way too sober for this.”
She and Sylvie hugged each other tightly. Once again, Faith was fighting back tears.
Sylvie dabbed at her mascara. “You know, you didn’t mention the fact that I introduced you to Tanner. I would’ve thought that would come first on your list of thank-yous.”
“It does rank pretty high.”
Somehow, loving Tanner made her feel freer instead of tied down. She couldn’t wait to find out what adventures they’d have and what the future held in store for them.
With Tanner, she couldn’t believe how fulfilling each day was.
For a long time, she’d been missing out on affection and passion, but Tanner was certainly making up for it.
Every single morning when she woke up next to him, she was excited about what the day would bring.
The jokes they’d share, the new experiences. And of course, the sex.
So much amazing sex.
At some point, she figured the chemistry between them would ebb to a low simmer instead of a full-on forest fire. But there were no signs of that happening yet.
“It seems like he’s doing really well,” Sylvie said. She’d admitted to being shocked when she found out Tanner had PTSD. She’d felt bad for not realizing how much her friend was suffering. “Whenever I ask, he claims you deserve the credit.”
“That is not true.” He’d done all the work. All Faith had done was be supportive. Loving Tanner wasn’t difficult. Nothing felt more natural. She couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
“But you were exactly what Tanner needed. And he’s what you need. It’s the same thing Nic and I have, and I know what a difference that makes—finding that kind of connection with someone. It makes everything else easier. I’m glad you both found where you belong.”
“So am I.”