A loud ringing sound pierced the air.Faith was jarred out of the wonder land of the book she was reading by her ringing phone. She sighed and put the book aside.She'd dropped her phone at the other side of the room so she had to get up and walk across the room to grab it.It was probably Devlin calling to say hi. He'd gone off to work early that morning just like he had every day that week. He'd formed a habit of calling her during the day to check up on her and make sure she wasn't getting bored on her own. She wasn't.He'd taken her out to a bookstore during the weekend and bought her ten new books, one of which she'd just been reading. She was unlikely to be bored anytime soon but no matter how many times she told him that she wasn't bored and he shouldn't worry, he still called to check up on her.Faith picked up the phone and peered into the screen but it wasn't Devlin's name that popped up this time."Who could this be?" She thought to herself, frowning. She picked the call
"I got a call to come in, sir. Is there any problem?" Faith asked immediately they were both seated.The man blinked in surprise. "Oh, right, about that, you were here some weeks ago about taking on more courses and I never heard back from you about that so I called you in."Faith deflated in her chair. "Oh my gosh," she murmured."Is there a problem?" The dean asked, worried."No." Faith began to laugh with relief. He looked even more worried. Faith sat up and comported herself. "I'm sorry. It's just that I thought it was something about my exams."His face brightened with understanding. He laughed. "Oh, I see. No, it's nothing like that.""I'm so relieved. I was worried I'd lost my scholarship.""I could show you your results if you want," he offered."That would be wonderful, thank you."He tapped at his keyboard for a few minutes and pulled up her result. He turned the screen to her. "There you go."Faith scanned through everything quickly. She sighed with relief. She'd passed eve
"Happy birthday to you.Happy birthday to you.Happy birthday to you, dearest.Happy birthday to you."Faith woke up to the sound of Devlin's voice singing to her. She stretched with a smile on her face."Thank you," she said when the song ended."You're welcome." He tried to kiss her.Faith drew back. "I haven't brushed my teeth yet.""When has that ever stopped me?""True," she said with a laugh and let him kiss her."Remember the surprise I told you about?""Of course. Thanks to you I've been living in suspence.""Well, you don't have to wait anymore. It's downstairs waiting for you.""Finally!" Faith hopped off the bed. "Let's go already!""Geez, calm down. It's not doing anywhere."She rushed down to the living room anyway. "Hello? Sheila? Adele? Cassius? Mama Rose? I know you guys are here. Come on out!"No one jumped out at her yelling surprise. She turned to Devlin who was standing at the doorway, watching her with a smirk."There's no one here!""I never told you that there w
Faith pulled into the parking lot of the mall. Adele's brand new car was right behind her followed by Sheila's. Miraculously, she found an opening with three parking spaces side by side.Faith pulled into the first one, followed by Adele and then Sheila. As though timed, they opened the door at the same time, stepped out and put on their sunglasses.It was all Faith could do to keep herself from laughing out loud. It was like a scene from a movie. They would be the super rich, cheerleader friends who moonlighted as mean girls.Lots of eyes were on them. Faith could feel the admiration...and in some cases envy, rolling off them in spades.She ignored all of them and headed into the store with her friends, side by side. How many times has she watched rich young girls driving past in their cute little convertibles and cute little outfits and wished that she could be one of them.She was one of them right now, and by god it felt good! She reveled in their gaze on her, knowing that for the
Faith was glad that she'd allowed the girls talk her into buying new outfits for the trip to Paris. Walking hand in hand with Devlin on the streets of Paris, it was glaring how stylish and beautiful everyone was.They'd had the car drop them off a little ways from the Eiffel tower so they could enjoy a walk down the quaint streets of Paris and she was loving every second of it.Faith was already in love with the city and they'd only been there a few hours. They took a first class flight to Paris late in the day and arrived at about 5'o'clock. The next couple of hours were spent checking into their hotel room and getting ready for the night ahead.It was currently a few minutes to eight, a perfect time to see the tower according to Devlin. They walked leisurely. There was no hurry, as Devlin had reminded her when she took off at a brisk oace immediately they alighted.But she couldn't help it. She was so excited! Faith had never been to Paris, of course. Her only knowledge of the Eiffe
"Just say it," Faith breathed. She thought she heard her voice shake slightly but she could hardly tell over the roaring in her ears."Faith Donovan...I love you."A sob broke through her lips. "Oh, my gosh!" She laughed through the tears."You're crying? Why are you crying?" "I've never heard you say my last name."He blinked. "That is the first thing you're going to say?"Faith laughed. It came out as a watery sound. She grabbed his face and planted a kiss on his lips. "I love you! I love you too!"Devlin trapped her before she could let go and deepened the kiss. He turned his body, sliding on top of her. He pressed into her, running his hands up her arm.Suddenly, Faith drew back. "Wait!""What?" Devlin asked, his eyes dark as night."I didn't put it on yet."He blinked. "Put what on?""The red lingerie you asked me to bring along."He hummed impatiently. "Don't worry about it. I can't wait." Faith laughed as his lips crashed on hers again. There was no more talking for a very lon
"Sheila, I'm freaking out!" Faith cried."Just breathe, Faith. It's not a big deal.""Not a big deal?" She squealed into the phone, causing her friend to wince. "It's the biggest deal ever. I don't understand why he thinks I should be at something like that.""You would have had to do it eventually.""Eventually is better than right now." Faith fanned herself. She was suddenly sweating heavily despite the air conditioned room."You're just overreacting."Faith stumbled over to a mirror and peered at her reflection. "I think I'm not breathing. My face is turning bright red. What do you think that means?"Sheila rolled her eyes. "Girl, get a grip! I don't want to have to call 922 on you!""I think I'm gonna lay down." Faith proceeded to lay down on the bare floor, the cold tiles immediately cooling her temperature."If you really don't want to do it, you could just tell him you're not going," she suggested."I can't do that! He's counting on me.""Then get yourself together and let's wo
Faith had Devlin's hand in a death grip. She was viscerally aware of it but she couldn't bring herself to let go. Thankfully he wasn't complaining."Dev? You know it's not too late to change your mind, right?"Devlin chuckled. "For the umpteenth time, Faith, I'm not changing my mind. I want you here with me. Just relax. You're going to do great."Faith sighed. "What if I mess everything up for you?""Now how would you do that? Already, you're the most beautiful woman who would be in that room." Faith scoffed at that but also laughed, lightening the mood. "I mean it. Nobody holds a candle to you. Have you seen yourself?"She'd seen herself. She heard the awe in his voice and it was the same feeling she got when she looked in the mirror earlier.In the past two days, she'd been pampered, pruned and plucked to perfection. Her skin was glowing, her makeup was flawless and her dress was gorgeous all because Devlin had spared no expense on getting her ready.She knew she looked amazing but