Erasing Faith(20)

“Breaking all my rules,” she muttered darkly, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms over her torso.

“And my own,” I added under my breath.

“What?” Her brows lifted in question.

“I did warn you that I had no intention of following your rules the last time we spoke,” I pointed out.

She huffed. “I don’t like you.”

I shrugged and grinned. “I don’t know why you’re so upset. You were right.”

“I usually am,” she said humbly, her smile reappearing. “But, pray tell, what about this time?”

“Fate,” I said quietly.

Her eyes went liquid with warmth. “So you believe in it, now?”

“No,” I said carefully, gaze still on hers. “But you do.”

The skin around her eyes crinkled when she grinned. “I told you — you just had to have a little faith.”

I caught her play on words, but didn’t let on that I understood. “So, we have approximately two and a half minutes left. Let’s get cracking. I want to know your deepest secrets, fears, and dreams.”

“In that order?” she asked, laughing.

“Of course. That’s what speed-dating is all about, right? Really getting to know someone? Every detailed facet of their personality, each nuance that makes them special, what really makes them tick…”

“Oh, of course.” She snorted, her voice heavily laced with sarcasm. “All of the men I met tonight now know everything there is to know about me. Five minutes is really all it takes.”

“I figured as much. Plus, they seemed like total gentlemen.”

“Six Prince Freaking Charmings in a row, let me tell you.”

“Why are you here?” I was truly curious. “This doesn’t seem like your scene.”

Her eyes darted left, three tables down the row to where her roommate was sitting. “My friend Margot kind of tricked me into it. Personally, I would’ve preferred an evening of medieval torture.”

“Hmm, what’s your pleasure? The Iron Maiden? Heretics Fork? Judas Cradle?”

She winced. “None of the above. Just guillotine me and get it over with.”

I laughed — a real, genuine chuckle that ricocheted inside my chest like a ping-pong ball. The sensation was totally foreign to me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed without pretense; not because I was obligated to, not because it was something the man I was pretending to be might’ve found amusing, but because I actually wanted to express enjoyment at the words and wit of another human being.

“So…” She trailed off for a moment, a contemplative look in her eyes. “Wes.”

She said it slowly, as though she was testing out the feeling of the name as it rolled off her tongue. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself in check when she stared at me with those molten gold eyes and said it again. “Wes Adams.”

“That’s my name.” I swallowed roughly, my mouth suddenly dry. “Speaking of… isn’t it about time you told me yours?”

She shook her head slowly. “No, I don’t think so. Just because you broke the rules of stranger club doesn’t mean I’m going to.”

“And how many times do you have to meet someone before they stop being a stranger?”

She shrugged and smiled unapologetically. “It varies.”

I sighed. “Wasn’t there a fair trade clause somewhere in the stranger club charter?”

She laughed full out now. “Fair trade only applies to questions, not names. But valiant effort.”

When the bell rang abruptly, neither of us moved. I listened to the sounds of the couples around us, saying their goodbyes and starting for the next table. I sensed Faith’s new match, hovering at my elbow, waiting for me to move. Waiting for his five minutes with her. But I didn’t get up.

“Linda is going to be mad at you,” she whispered, still grinning at me.

“I don’t f*cking care, Red,” I whispered back.

“Dude, are you planning to move along any time soon?” Match number eight was not pleased with the delay. Five seconds later, the sound of a woman’s shrill voice, magnified through the megaphone, rang out in the air.

“Sir! Yoo-hoo! There at table nine!” Her voice was stern, but still bubbly with enthusiasm. “Please remember the rule! When you hear the bell toll, it’s time to stroll!” She rang it again for added emphasis.

Faith burst into laughter.

“Alright, alright,” I said, pushing back from the table and rising to my feet. The waiting man immediately slipped into my spot and I turned my eyes to Faith, who was suddenly staring anywhere but in my direction. She looked a little crestfallen and, irrationally, I was pleased that the thought of me leaving upset her.

I was so f*cked up over this girl.

Leaning down, I grabbed the strap of my easel case and slid it over my shoulder. When the man in my seat began to engage Faith in conversation, I extended my hand to her.

Wide caramel eyes flew up to my face.

I raised my brows and waggled the fingers on my open-palmed hand. “You coming, Red?”

Her face broke into a smile as she nodded and slipped her hand into mine.





Chapter Eleven: FAITH