Building Faith (Long Beach Series Book 2) by Dani Matthews Page A

turn and open up the apartment door, leaving.
    Bloody hell.
    I never thought there’d ever be a day that I would get in an argument with my closet friends over a woman I barely know. I should walk away now and avoid Faith permanently, but I won’t. When have I ever taken the easy way out?

Chapter Nine
Faith
     
    “Did you buy a car yet?” my father asks in my ear as I talk with him on the phone while I pour myself a bowl of cereal.
    “Dad, I don't need a car,” I say with exasperation.
    “Every girl needs a car in a new place. You can't keep walking to your job or relying on city transportation.”
    “Dad...”
    “Faith,” he says sternly. “We gave you that money for a reason.”
    I push my bowl aside and move around the counter to slump on to one of the stools. “I'm not ready to drive yet,” I say quietly. It's the truth. I'm not ready to get behind the wheel, and I don't want to spend their money.
    “Honey, nothing's going to happen. You're safe,” he assures gruffly.
    Feeling wary, I rub my temple with my free hand. I'm still haunted by memories from when I'd been run off the road in my car. Luckily, I'd managed to avoid hitting the trees on the side of the road, and I'd escaped the accident without injury. Still...it was enough of a close call to have me feeling uncertain when it comes to getting back in the driver's seat.
    “Take your time, Faith. I won't push anymore,” my father finally says when I don't reply. “Just know that the money is there when you feel like driving again.”
    “Okay, thanks.”
    “Have you checked out classes at the university?”
    My eyes close, and I'm tempted to pound my head on the counter top. I love my dad, but he's a bit overbearing when he wants to be. I know that he's doing it out of love. He wants me to move on with my life instead of living as if I'm afraid of my own shadow. But he's pushing for things that I'm not quite ready for. It's not exactly like I have the finances to do these things anyway. When I get back on my feet and can support myself, I'll send the money back so they can pay off the loan that I know they took out.
    “I want to get used to Long Beach before I start looking into anything at the university,” I say lightly.
    I hear my mom's voice in the background, and my father sighs. “Your mom wants to talk to you. Take care, Faith. Call us if you need anything.”
    “I will. Love you.”
    “Love you, too.”
    “Faith?” my mom asks into the phone, her voice hopeful. I think my absence has been harder on her than anyone else.
    “Hi, Mom.”
    “How are you doing, sweetie?”
    “I'm good.”
    “How are things going with Caleb? What is his fiancée like?” she asks curiously.
    “Zoey's...unique. I really like her. And Caleb's been great, too.”
    We chat for a bit, and when our call is finished, I set the phone on the counter top and rise to my feet to grab milk from the refrigerator. My eyes halt on the piece of paper I taped to the glossy surface of the door. It's the list I'd made last night at the pizzeria. I'd crossed off number six now that I've been in the ocean. My body warms as I think of Ace and the way he'd held me in the water.
    A knock on my apartment door startles me. I tear my eyes away from the list and walk across the room to the door. It dawns on me that I am hoping it's Ace, and it sinks in that I'm crushing on him. I tell myself it's normal—he's gorgeous. I'd have to be blind to not be attracted to him, but I really do need to learn how to ignore it. Ace might be attracted to me, but even I know when I've been put in the 'friend' category.
    I peek out the peephole and see that it's Zoey. What is she doing here so early? I swing the door open and smile. “Morning, Zoey.”
    “Morning. I figured you'd be up,” she says as she strolls in.
    I close the door and study her. Her hair is pulled back in a sloppy knot, and she's not wearing a trace of makeup. In fact, she's wearing a tank and a pair of lounge pants. Why is