Page 90 of Between Hello and Goodbye

“For the last two months, I worked late nights, weekends, sixteen-hour days—or longer. Stop the presses, ladies and gents, but I think I’ve actuallyearneda few days off.”

I smiled, a strange concoction of admiration and misery mixing in me. She was slaying at her job because she obviously wanted to achieve something with it. Build something.

And you took a promotion, jackass. Suck on that one.

“Sounds like the commercial was important,” I said. “How’d it turn out?”

Faith’s cheeks turned pink, and she toyed with her coffee spoon. “My boss likes it. He thinks it could win a Clio. That’s like an Emmy but for commercials. Kind of a big deal.”

“Jesus, Faith. That’s…huge.” I strode over to her, took her coffee mug out of her hand, and wrapped my arms around her. “Why did you wait so long to tell me?”

“We’ve beenbusy.” She ringed her arms around my neck and kissed me, hot and wet and full of intention.

“Don’t change the subject,” I teased and pulled back before the clothes came off again. “And we definitely need to celebrate.Outside.”

“If you insist,” she said, though I could see it made her happy. And that made me happy. “What should we do? Do you want to see the sights?”

I had zero interest in exploring the city but on the flight over, I’d vowed to make an effort for her sake.

“I’m open,” I said. “Whatever you want to do.”

“Well, our physical exertions over the last two days have left me ravenous. Let’s get lunch, and tonight, I want you to meet Silas.”

“The good best friend.” I said.

She smiled. “Thebestbest friend.” Then her smile slipped as a sudden thought occurred to her. “Oh shit.”

“What is it?”

She looked at me almost fearfully. “You said your mother became addicted to painkillers.”

I nodded. “Yeah, Oxy-something.”

“Oxy-Pro.” Faith murmured, looking dazed. “God, I’m so stupid.”

“What’s wrong?”

She faced me directly. “Silas Marsh is the CEO of Marsh Pharma, the maker of Oxy-Pro.”

I stared, my brain trying to work out the ramifications, the bizarre coincidence, as if Faith were playing a joke on me. I chuckled, disbelieving. “What? No…”

But Faith’s expression was uncharacteristically serious. “Yes.”

“Wait, you’re telling me your best friend…?”

She nodded. “But he wasn’t in charge then. His father and his cronies were the criminals, and Silas wrestled control from them. He’s been trying to fix it every day since.” She studied me, biting her lip. “I’m sorry. I could have told you sooner, but it wasn’t my story to tell. But now there’s a connection…”

“It’s okay,” I said.

“It is?”

I nodded slowly, surprised that it was the truth. I expected to be completely fucking enraged at Silas’s family for tearing mine apart, but the anger that simmered in me wasn’t running as hot as it used to. One look at Faith and I knew why—she was like a cool water over the burn, and when I was with her, the old pain seemed farther away. Less powerful.

She’s making me a better man…

“It wasn’t his fault,” I said, answering her worried expression. “Was it?”

“Well, no…” Faith gazed at me, her eyes full, then wrapped her arms around my neck. “You’re amazing. And you have every right to be hurt, but I promise you, Silas is a good man. And so are you.”