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Faith sighed. “Molly offered me a place to stay, here with her.”

“Is that what you want? No pressure, Faith. I want you to be happy. You deserve that.”

“I think I want to live in Seattle.”

“As much as that excites me. Please don’t base your decision on me. I’m happy to do long distance, if that’s what it takes.”

“You’d really do that?”

“Yes, without a doubt. Faith, I like you a lot. I’m not letting you go, even if you live in a different state.”

Nathalie giving her the space to decide was all Faith needed to know what she wanted. A chance to build something in Seattle with Nathalie. They might be young and their relationship new, but why should that matter? Faith had spent long enough tempering her wants and needs. Now she was free to take control and decide based on what she needed for herself.

“Thank you, Nat.”

“No worries, babe. Listen, I need to run to the store for Rita before she gets all pissy. I’ll call you tonight before bed. Maybe we can… you know, catch up.”

“It’s a date.”

Okay, now the decision to go back to Seattle was made, Faith just had to tell Molly. Even though she knew it was the right decision for her, it didn’t stop the sick feeling from rolling around in her belly.

Molly was just walking up to the ranch, filthy from her work, but a wide smile etched on her face. “Hey, honey,” she called.

“Hey, Mol. Um, can we talk?” A sudden nervousness crept over Faith’s body. What if she offended Molly to the point her aunt didn’t want to know her? No, that was stupid, old insecurities raising their ugly heads.

“What’s up?” Molly finally asked.

“Um, I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier. About living here with you.”

“You want to be in Seattle, right?” Molly grinned.

“I… I just feel that’s the place I’m supposed to be right now. I’m sorry.”

“Hey,” Molly began, taking Faith by the shoulders. “You don’t have to apologize to me. I want you to be happy, and if that is in Seattle, then that’s where you should be. I can visit you, if you’re good with that, and we can talk on the phone.”

“Yeah?” The relief Faith felt was immeasurable.

“Of course,” Molly chuckled. “You’re my niece, and you’re pretty friggin’ awesome. I want you to thrive, and I know Carmen will look out for you.”

“Yeah, she will.”

“That’s all I want. To know you’re happy and safe.”

“But, I feel… I don’t know, like I’m throwing your kindness back in your face.”

“Well, that’s dumb,” Molly stated matter-of-factly. “My love and kindness aren’t conditional, Faith. I can’t wait to get to know you better. We don’t need to live together for that.”

“Do… Do you think Carmen meant what she said?”

“What did she say?”

“She said I’d always have a home with her and Mateo.”

“Then yes, absolutely. If I know Carmen, and okay, I don’t know her well, but I think she only says what she means.”

“You’re really not upset?”

“Not in the slightest. Sweetie, you found me. The hard part is done. We’re in each other’s lives.”