The wooden floorboards creaked beneath Joshua’s boots as they entered the Mystic Gazette office, the lingering excitement of the brawl still humming in their veins.
The comfort of familiar surroundings wrapped around them, a stark contrast to the chaos they’d left behind on the streets of Mystic.
Faith moved behind her sturdy oak desk while Joshua lowered himself into the chair across from her, his gaze never leaving her face.
The ticking of the wall clock seemed to grow louder in the silence. Faith let her gaze drift to the typewriter holding a half-written story. Joshua watched, his shoulders tensing beneath his cotton shirt. The air crackled with unspoken words and barely contained emotions.
He cleared his throat, breaking the stillness. His voice, soft yet firm, carried the weight of his next words. “Faith, I was wondering if you’ve given any thought to what I said last night. About my feelings for you.”
She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. The tension in the room thickened, almost palpable in the fading evening light streaming through the office windows.
He leaned forward. “I know it might’ve come as a surprise, but I meant every word. I’ve cared for you for a long time now, and I believe it’s high time I said something about it.”
Her hands trembled as she smoothed her skirt, buying time as she gathered her thoughts. “Joshua, I…” she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
He held up a hand, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You don’t have to say anything if you’re not ready. I just needed you to know how I feel.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to respond. There’s just so much to consider.”
“What’s troubling you? You know you can talk to me about anything.”
“We’ve been friends for so long, Joshua. What if…” She drew in a breath. “What if this changes everything?”
A soft chuckle escaped his lips, warm and reassuring. “Change isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, it’s exactly what we need.”
Her lips curved into a small smile, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. “You always know what to say, don’t you?”
“Not always. When it comes to you, I’ve had plenty of time to think about what I want to say.”
The clock on the wall chimed, startling them both. Faith glanced at it, realizing how much time had passed. “I should start working on tomorrow’s edition,” she said, reluctance clear in her voice.
Giving a slow nod, he rose from his chair. “Of course. I won’t keep you from your work.” He paused, his hand resting on the back of the chair. “You should know, I meant what I said. I care for you deeply. And I’m willin’ to wait as long as you need to sort out your feelings.”
“Thank you, Joshua. Your honesty means more to me than you know.”
As he turned to leave, Faith called out, “Joshua?”
He paused at the door, looking back at her with hope shining in his eyes.
“I have been thinking about what you said. And I promise, I’ll have an answer for you soon.”
“That’s all I can ask. Take all the time you need.”
With a final nod, he stepped out of the office, leaving Faith alone with her thoughts and the gentle ticking of the clock.
Her gaze lingered on the door long after Joshua departed, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Turning her attention inward, she allowed herself to confront the feelings she’d been trying to suppress.
Joshua’s words had indeed been at the forefront of her mind, playing on repeat like a melody she couldn’t shake. His confession of love had stirred something deep within her, a longing she’d scarcely dared to acknowledge.
She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply before releasing it in a slow breath.
When she opened them again, her gaze fell on a framed photograph on her desk.
It was a picture of her and Joshua at last year’s Founders’ Day picnic.
Their easy smiles and relaxed postures spoke volumes about their friendship.
Picking up the photograph, her fingers traced the edge of the frame, her touch gentle, as if caressing a precious memory. She hadn’t realized how much she’d been holding back until this moment, when the floodgates of her emotions threatened to burst open.
Taking a slow breath, she stood up and paced the length of her office, her footsteps muffled by the worn carpet.
“I love him,” she admitted aloud, her voice stronger now. The words hung in the air, both terrifying and exhilarating. “I love Joshua Beckett.”
A mix of joy and fear coursed through her veins as the full weight of her realization settled upon her. She loved him, had loved him for longer than she cared to admit.
Stopping at the window, she gazed out at the main street of Mystic. Her reflection stared back at her, eyes clouded with apprehension.
“What if it doesn’t work out? What if we lose everything we’ve built?”
The thought of losing Joshua’s friendship, of awkward encounters and strained conversations, made her heart constrict. Their bond had been a constant in her life for as long as she could remember. Could she risk their bond for the promise of something more?
She turned back toward the desk, her gaze once again falling on the photograph. The easy companionship it captured seemed to mock her current turmoil.
“What if it does work?” she mused, a glimmer of hope breaking through her fears. “What if this is the start of something wonderful?”
The conflicting emotions warred within her, each vying for dominance. Faith sank back into her chair, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her decision.
“I need to tell him. He deserves to know the truth, even if I’m scared.”
With trembling hands, Faith reached for a piece of paper and her favorite fountain pen. She would pour her heart out in ink, giving voice to the love and fear tangled within her. Perhaps in writing, she could find the courage to face Joshua and speak her truth.
Faith didn’t have to wait long. An hour after leaving, Joshua returned, determined to get an answer out of her. He found no words were necessary. The instant he sat down, Faith began pouring her heart out.
His eyes softened as he listened to Faith’s confession. The weight of her words hung in the air between them.
“Faith,” he began when she finished, “I understand your fears. Believe me, I’ve wrestled with them, too. I also believe in us. In our ability to face whatever comes our way.”
Her gaze met his, searching for reassurance. “How can you be so sure, Joshua? We’ve been friends for so long. What if… what if we lose that?”
Joshua’s lips curved into a gentle smile. “Because I know you, Faith Goodell. I know your strength, your determination. And I know myself. We’ve weathered storms before, haven’t we?”
She nodded. A memory of one particular disagreement, which almost tore them apart, flashed through her mind. “We have,” she admitted.
“Then we can weather this, too,” he continued, his voice gaining confidence. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy. But nothing worth having ever is.”
“What about the town? The gossip?”
He couldn’t stop a chuckle. “Since when has Faith Goodell, intrepid editor of the Mystic Gazette, cared about gossip?”
A reluctant smile tugged at Faith’s lips. “Fair point.”
“I’d rather face their whispers with you by my side than wonder what might have been.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his words. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “All right, let’s talk about this. What are your expectations?”
He rubbed his chin, his expression thoughtful. “Honestly? I want to court you properly, Faith. To show you, and everyone else, how much you mean to me. But I also want us to take it slow, to give ourselves time to adjust to being a couple.”
“I’d like that, too. I don’t want to rush into anything.”
“And we won’t,” he assured her. “We’ve got all the time in the world.”
As they continued to talk, their fears and hopes laid bare, the tension in the room gradually eased. Faith found herself relaxing, her earlier apprehension giving way to a cautious optimism.
“You know,” she said, a hint of her usual playfulness creeping into her voice, “this isn’t quite how I imagined this conversation going.”
Joshua raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “Oh? And how did you imagine it?”
She felt a blush creep up her cheeks. “Well, for one, I didn’t think I’d be sitting behind my desk like I’m conducting an interview for a story.”
His laughter filled the room. “Would you prefer if I got down on one knee and recited poetry?”
“Heavens, no.” Faith giggled, the sound surprising her. “I think we’ve had enough drama for one day, don’t you?”
As their laughter subsided, a comfortable silence settled between them.
She found herself studying Joshua’s face, noting the tiny crinkles at the corners of his eyes.
With a start, she realized how handsome she found him.
How had she never allowed herself to acknowledge her attraction to him before now?
“What are you thinking?” Joshua asked.
She hesitated for a moment before answering. “I’m scared, but I’m also excited. About us. About what this could be.”
“Me, too, Faith. Me, too.”
He leaned forward. “You know what? We should celebrate this moment.”
“Celebrate? How?”
“How about supper at the Golden Griddle?” A boyish grin spread across his face.
She felt a flutter in her chest, a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. “Supper sounds lovely, Josh. But… are you sure? People might talk.”
He reached across the desk, his calloused hand gently covering hers. “Let them talk. I’m proud to be courting the smartest, most beautiful woman in Mystic.”
A blush crept up Faith’s neck, coloring her cheeks. She ducked her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “Well, when you put it that way, how can a girl refuse?”
They stepped out into the cool evening air, noting the stars already sparkling against a dark midnight sky.
As they walked side by side along the boardwalk, Faith couldn’t help noticing the subtle change in their dynamic.
Joshua walked a little closer, taking her hand and slipping it through his arm, sending shivers down her spine.
The Golden Griddle came into view, its windows glowing with warm, inviting light. The scent of homecooked meals wafted out onto the street, making Faith’s stomach growl in anticipation.
“Hungry?” Joshua’s eyes danced with amusement.
She laughed, the sound light and carefree. “Starving, actually.”
Entering the restaurant, the bustling atmosphere enveloped them. The clinking of cutlery against plates, the low hum of conversation, and the occasional burst of laughter created a lively backdrop.
As they settled at a small table, Faith couldn’t help but marvel at how different everything felt. The same worn wooden table, the same menu, the same view of the street through the window. And yet the world seemed somehow brighter, more vivid.
“What are you thinking?” Joshua asked.
“I’m thinking, I’m glad we’re here. Together.”
“Me, too, Faith. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”