AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why I felt drawn to you and wanted to be your friend.” Sincere mirrored her smile. “I wished I had someone to be there for me… someone who understood what I was going through… when I lost my husband. Even though I didn’t have that, I can definitely be that for you.”
Sincere’s body relaxed as he turned in her direction. “I appreciate that. Honestly, I don’t know how I’m going to get through this. I just know I have to.”
“Well, whatever you need, I’ll be here. Anytime. I mean that.”
“I really appreciate that, Sophia. Thank you.”
With a nod, she gave him a kiss on the cheek before standing. “I have to get back to the bar and see what this couple wants. Do you want anything right now?”
Scratching his neck, Sincere nodded as he read Keisha’s text.
“Yeah. I don’t really have an appetite, but I know I need to put something on my stomach if I’m going to be drinking.”
“What about the bacon guac?”
“That’s fine.”
Sophia gave him a soft smile before walking away. Setting his phone on the table, Sincere released a heavy breath and slumped down in his seat. Even though he still felt horrible, knowing there was someone in his life who understood what he was going through definitely made this feel a little easier. With her and Keisha, he was sure he would be able to make it through this, one day at a time.
14
Six weeks. It took six weeks for Faith’s spirit to leave her body. The moment he opened the door and saw her father standing on the other side, Sincere knew what was up. Alex didn’t have to even mutter a word. All Sincere could do was hold him as he cried for his daughter. When he was composed, they went inside and drank together while sharing stories about Faith. Though Sincere could still see the pain in Alex’s eyes when he left, he was wearing a smile too.
It felt good to focus on someone else’s pain because he no longer had to focus on his, but that feeling left as soon as he was alone. He broke down and ended up crying himself to sleep in a ball on the floor.
After that, he left and went to Keisha’s home… where he’d stayed for the past week. Sophia checked on him daily and brought them both food, though neither of them had much of an appetite. She didn’t leave for work until the both of them ate, and that was the only reason Sincere had been able to maintain his physical strength.
As much as he wanted to detach from the world, he couldn’t. He had to plan his wife’s… ex-wife’s… gravesite service and make sure all of her affairs were in order. She’d pretty much taken care of everything that she could, but there were a lot of things she hadn’t taken into consideration. Like the fact that Sincere wouldn’t want to live in their home without her or want to do anything, have anything, or be anywhere that reminded him of her.
He’d had his assistant put their house on the market immediately and had no plans of ever sleeping in that bed without her again.
Sophia took his hand into hers, reminding him that she was there. She smiled with glossy eyes as he looked down at her.
“Thank you for being here,” he whispered, using Keisha’s hand to pull her further into his side. Even with the both of them holding him up, he still felt weak. But he would make it through the day, and he wouldn’t shed a fucking tear. Faith made him promise to celebrate her freedom from pain, and he planned to do just that. “You too,” he said, turning toward Keisha whose puffy eyes were covered by dark shades.
“I got you for life. Where else would I be?”
Sincere placed a kiss to the top of her head before turning his attention in the direction of Faith’s parents. Releasing a long exhale, he looked at her gold casket topped with red roses. Six weeks wasn’t enough time to prepare for this moment, but if he was being honest with himself, no amount of time would prepare him to say goodbye to his wife. All he could do was silently thank God that her battle was over, and she was finally at peace. Feeling himself get emotional, he released their hands and walked over to her casket. Rubbing it, he asked Faith to send him strength to find his own version of peace now that he would no longer have her.
15
Faith
Eight weeks earlier
As Faith staredinto Sophia’s eyes, she was confident that she was the one. Not only was she an aspiring lawyer, but she knew the pain of losing a spouse to cancer. Worst case scenario, she’d be able to be a friend to Sincere during his time of need. Best case scenario, he would allow her into his heart and learn to love her.
Though Sophia and Faith had a few similarities, they were different in a lot of ways too. Where Faith was quieter and more reserved, Sophia was livelier and more fun-loving. She was confident that if Sincere allowed her to, she would help him live and enjoy his life after she died.
A small surge of jealousy swept through her, thinking about this being the woman her husband would love after her. But the longer she looked into Sophia’s eyes… the more she felt at peace with her decision.
“I think you’re the one,” she announced, eyes watering. “You’re perfect for him on paper, at least.”
Sophia smiled softly. “If I can just be his friend, that’s all I care about. The only reason I replied to your profile was because I wish I had someone to be there for me when I lost my husband. I admire you so much for loving and caring about yours enough to look for someone to love him after you’re gone. Now I can’t promise you that will be the case.” Sophia chuckled. “I wouldn’t even feel comfortable with that. But I can promise you that if he will allow me to, I will be his friend and help him navigate his way through his healing and grief. Even if not in the romantic sense, I can promise you that Sincere will never walk alone.”
Wiping the tears that had fallen, Faith nodded as she swallowed hard and stood. Opening her arms for an embrace, she cried harder as she fell into Sophia’s arms. If it were possible, she would have transferred all of the love that she had for Sincere out of her heart and into Sophia’s… but that wouldn’t be necessary. Sincere was such a kind soul that she was sure Sophia would fall in love with him on her own…
Epilogue
