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Faith didn’t miss how fidgety Carmen suddenly became. “Because you were both weird at the party and then hardly spoke. I thought you liked each other.”

Watching Carmen scratch the back of her head and then look everywhere but at Faith was interesting. “Honestly, we haven’t fallen out. I really am sorry for making you feel unwelcome.”

It was clear Carmen didn’t want to continue this line of conversation and Faith was going to respect that. “Okay. But look, if at any point you need me to leave, I’d prefer you to just be honest with me.”

Carmen looked genuinely hurt by Faith’s curt tone. “Faith, your home is here with me, Mateo, and Enid. There will never be a time I ask you to leave. Never!”

“Well, this was all a bit fucking deep,” Enid interrupted. “Anyone for a gummy?” Faith rolled her eyes, and Carmen laughed.

“Are we okay?” Carmen asked quietly, finding Faith’s gaze.

“Yeah, we’re good.”

“Great, let’s go get ice cream. You’re right, I have been spending way too much time working.”

“Really?” Faith asked excitedly.

“Absolutely!” Carmen nodded.

“Shotgun,” Enid shouted, shuffling at max speed toward the front door.

“Who said you were invited?” Carmen called winking at Faith.

“Ha, screw you, I’m the glue that holds this fucked up family together,” Enid cackled.

“She kind of is,” Faith muttered.

“Shh, don’t let her hear you say that.”

For the first time since the leaving party, Faith felt a modicum of happiness. Of course she missed Molly, and couldn’t wait to talk to her later, but Faith still felt her life was in Seattle. All she needed now was for Nathalie to come home. They were overdue some time together.

“Hey, where are you going?” Mateo called from the street.

“Ice cream,” Enid sang.

“Hell yeah, I’m getting in on that,” Mateo squealed.

“What, you’re actually gracing us with your time, Hermano?” Carmen mocked.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’ve been a little absent. Well, I’m here now and we’re going out on a family ice cream trip, so hush!”

They all climbed into Carmen’s car just like they had for their road trip. “Onward, Jeeves,” Enid said, snapping her fingers. Faith laughed.

???

Life in the Ruiz/Parsons household—as Faith now affectionately called it—was as close to normal as possible. Once again, something Faith was very grateful for. Mateo was making more of an effort to spend time with her and Carmen. He admitted he’d got lost in the haze of dating and was neglecting his family. Faith couldn’t get too pissy, it was nice seeing Mateo happy. Daniel was good for him.

Carmen also turned herself around. Faith was still in the dark about what had actually made Carmen act so off, but she didn’t push it. If Carmen wanted to talk, she would.

However, the best thing about life right now was the fact that in one hour, Nathalie would be visiting. Those two days of waiting for the training course to end had crawled by. It didn’t help that Nathalie was unable to message and call a lot because of her hectic schedule.

Running a comb through her hair for the tenth time, Faith inhaled deeply. Why was she so nervous? Oh yeah, because even though she and Nathalie hadn’t even shared their first kiss yet, they had partaken in a little bit of phone sex.

Nothing had changed between them, and yet Faith felt everything had. Would it be awkward between them now? Would Nathalie expect them to take the next step? Was Faith ready for that? Her body said yes. In fact, it was almost begging Faith to do the deed. Ever since their phone date, Faith experienced nightly dreams that left her squirming the next morning. It was safe to say Faith was no longer worried about masturbation. She’d made up for the years missing out in just a handful of days.

“Chica, you have a visitor?” Mateo called. Faith’s heart rate spiked. How had an hour gone by already?

Skipping out of her room, Faith ran full speed into Nathalie’s arms. “I missed you so much,” she breathed into her girlfriend’s neck. Nathalie’s arm engulfed her tightly. Faith smiled as she felt Nathalie’s lips press gently against her temple.