Chapter Sixteen

“Girl. Did you forget me?” Jandy asked pointedly, then laughed.

“Sorry, got distracted with work stuff,” Faith replied, and brought her up to speed on that stuff first.

“Geez,” Jandy exclaimed. “I hope that Mitch guy can fix it.”

“Me too. Now, about last night,” Faith began, and shared a very, very broad overview of the previous night’s events; basically, that it had happened, and it had been amazing.

She’d always been close-mouthed when it came to sex, but she realized she really didn’t want to share details this time, not because she was by nature shy, but because she felt like that would be very disrespectful to Rick.

She told her sister as much, and it surprised her a little when Jandy agreed.

“I know I said DEETS in my text, but I was kidding, hon,” Jandy told her. “Bedroom stuff between a couple needs to stay between them. When I was younger, I didn’t realize the importance of not breaking that trust. I guess that’s one of the wisdoms I’ve gathered over the years.”

She paused.

“Anyway, sounds like you’ve got yourself all four pillars, kiddo. I’m so happy for that.”

“Four pillars?” Faith was confused.

“Four pillars. Mental, emotional, physical, spiritual. When you have all four of those categories in your relationship in a positive state, in a happy state, that’s a healthy and loving and well-balanced relationship. What some might call 'soulmates'. I refer to it as the four pillars.”

“Four pillars,” Faith repeated. “I really like that.”

They talked a bit more, then Jandy had to run.

“I’ve got a conference call with my biggest fabric supplier in about ten minutes. But listen, Faith. Stay open to this new relationship. I know it’s probably a little scary, but it sure sounds worth it.”

***

Down the street, Rick was wading through his quickly moving day. Summer break had just ended, and the success of the book exchange program had led to becoming a supplier for the schools year-round.

He'd spent a large portion of his day printing off the exchange lists emailed over from the schools and packing boxes for each campus to come pick up.

Faith came back by around two in the afternoon and brought him lunch. It was a welcome break. He displayed the “be back in an hour” sign in the window, locked the door, and they went upstairs.

She filled him in on what was going on with her work as she made their plates and sat with him at his kitchen table.

“That sounds promising,” he nodded encouragingly. “Hopefully they can get you guys back on track quickly with minimal loss.”

“I sure hope so,” Faith said. “How are things here today?”

“Pretty good,” he responded before biting into a chip. “I have fourteen orders packed up, eight left. Every shipment should be picked up by around six tonight.”

“Cool, and we are on target to be able to eat whenever you arrive,” she told him. “Which reminds me.”

And she handed him a slip of paper.

He smiled as he read it. Her name, address, phone number, and email.

He got up and went into the living room, returning with a business card that he handed to her.

“So,” she quipped. “I guess we’re an item now. No more “Contact Us” through the website to communicate anymore.”

“An item?” he tilted his head and considered her for a moment, then grinned.

“Yeah. I like the hell out of that.”

“Me too,” she said, grinning back.

They finished lunch and headed back downstairs.

“I’ll be over a little after eight.”

They paused at the door.

“Okay, so, see you tonight,” she said, and kissed him.

I love you, he almost said.

But he honestly didn’t know what her reaction would be to that just yet.

So instead, he just said, “Looking forward to it,” and kissed her back.

***

Rick checked his watch. Seven-thirty. Almost closing time.

The school reps had all been punctual, for which he was grateful. All orders were gone by six as expected. Now he started the pre-close activity - running a dust mop over the hardwood floor, filling out the nightly close sheet. The next half hour passed quickly, and he was able to lock the door.

He texted Faith, See you in twenty.

He went upstairs, took a lightning-fast shower, and dressed, then checked his watch as he locked the front door behind him.

Eight-seventeen. Not too bad.

He made it to her door by eight-twenty as he’d predicted and pressed the doorbell.

“Hi there,” Faith said, leaning forward to kiss him. “Come on in. Dinner’s ready.”

“Something smells incredible.”

Rick closed his eyes, sniffed, then got a nostalgic look as he opened his eyes.

“Roast? Aw man. That’s one of my favorite comfort foods ever, haven’t had it in ages.”

Faith smiled proudly.

“So, it sounds like I guessed well for tonight.”

He wrapped his arms around her, grinning.

“You hit a grand slam with this one, baby.”

***

Faith and Rick sat at her kitchen table talking, letting the food settle a bit before dessert.

“Lemon bars from Mama J’s,” she said. “I know you like those, and since I didn’t think to ask about any others you like, I chose to play it safe.”

He stretched and ran his hands over his midsection.

“I am going to need a while before I get into the lemon bars,” he stated. “The roast was fantastic, so tender and so much flavor. What’s your secret?”

“Cream of mushroom soup and brown gravy mix,” she told him.

“Really. I would never, ever have thought of that. But man, it’s amazing. You brown it on all sides before you crock pot it, right?”

“Yep. My mom told me years ago that doing that locks in the juices.”

“Mine did too,” he grinned at her. “And she was right.”

She made coffee for him and tea for her, and they talked as they moved to the living room.

“By the way, Faith, I like your place,” he said. “It suits you.”

She glanced around the room, trying to see it as he did.

An overstuffed armchair, the slightly worn couch she’d spent so many Saturday nights on, the rows and rows of books lining the wall all around her TV set.

“And I see the Robb series holds the place of honor,” he pointed at the bookshelves.

“Of course. Not only are they my favorite series ever, but they’re the first ones I started to collect,” she replied. “Which reminds me. I bet being the owner of a bookstore, where literally any title you want you can get a hold of, is particularly satisfying.”

“It is, no question,” he answered. “That and other perks, like being able to have book signing events. Some of the books in my personal collection upstairs are autographed already. Now that I have a store, I can add to those with much less chance of having to travel to obtain them.”

“Speaking of traveling,” he smiled and took her in his arms. “Want to show me the upstairs?”

***

Before they could take too many clothes off, they heard Faith’s doorbell ring, followed by loud knocking.

“Who the hell could that be?” Faith panted, putting her shirt back on.

“No clue, but their timing sucks,” Rick muttered, buttoning his pants up again.

The barrage of noise continued as they went downstairs to the front door.

She looked through the peephole.

“What the hell?”

She swung open the door.

“Good evening, ma’am, sir. I am looking for a Faith Tucker.”