Faithful by Kim Cash Tate Read Free Book Online

up. Not only had it landed at the same time as hers, but they were on the same concourse. Noting the gate, she set off in that direction, scanning the faces in the crowd that came toward her. Phyllis hadn’t seen her friend in ten years, but she recognized her instantly from several yards away, and she chuckled. Some things never changed.
    There was Natalie, just off the plane, in line for a Dunkin Donut. Natalie had been her doughnut buddy at Maryland, but unlike Phyllis, she never gained a pound. Phyllis could see that that much hadn’t changed either. Though Natalie had had two children, she seemed to have the same petite waistline she’d had at twenty. She looked cute in stonewashed denim jeans and a white, short-sleeved button-down shirt with a sweater tied around her waist.
    Phyllis waved her arms when Natalie turned in her direction, and Natalie cocked her head and then dropped her jaw. Smiling, Phyllis quickened her pace down the corridor and moved into Natalie’s waiting arms. After hugs and squeals of joy, Natalie pushed her back.
    â€œI saw some woman waving at me, and I couldn’t believe that was you! You look fabulous! You didn’t tell me you’d lost so much weight.”
    Phyllis smiled. “I didn’t tell any of you. It was a long process, and I didn’t know if I could stick with it.” She gave her a sideways look. “You know how many times I tried to lose weight. I wanted to be sure this time would last. When we started planning the reunion, I thought I’d surprise you all.”
    â€œWell, honey, you succeeded.”
    They moved up in line.
    â€œSo how did you do it? Low-carb diet, Mediterranean—”
    â€œNoooo.” Phyllis shifted her big tote bag to the other shoulder. “Been there, done that. Old-fashioned exercise and healthy foods. And staying out of lines like this.” She laughed.
    â€œGirl, I know.” Natalie moved to the counter and placed her order, then turned back to Phyllis. “You know doughnuts are my weakness, but I rarely eat them now.”
    â€œAnd you only ordered one,” Phyllis said, looking impressed.
    â€œI can’t eat like I used to.”
    Phyllis looked her over. “Mm-hmm. I can tell you’re struggling.”
    â€œI’m serious!” Natalie handed payment to the woman and took hold of her treat, straightening her wheeled carry-on.
    â€œWhatever you’re doing, it’s working, because you look fabulous too.”
    â€œThanks, Phyl!”
    Phyllis’s phone chirped as they followed the signs to the shuttle that would take them to the main terminal and baggage claim. She showed the caller screen to Natalie and flipped it open.
    â€œWe’re here!” they both declared into the mouthpiece.
    Stacy’s voice boomed through the phone. “Yeahhhh! I can’t believe y’all are really here!”
    â€œIt’s just Natalie and me so far,” Phyllis said. “Gretta gets here in the next thirty minutes or so.”
    â€œOh, that’s perfect,” Stacy said.
    â€œWhy?” Phyllis gave Natalie the eye. “Where are you?”
    â€œUm, in the car, finally. It’s been a crazy morning, so I’m running a little late.”
    Phyllis shook her head and spoke over the top of the phone. “Can you believe she’s just leaving the house?”
    Natalie shook hers too. “Some things never change.”
    Stacy laughed. “I hear you two talking about me! I’ll be there in fifteen minutes, tops. Right outside baggage claim.”
    Phyllis and Natalie talked from the time they boarded the shuttle until they’d retrieved their luggage. Distance and the busyness of life had kept all of them from calling as often as they would have liked.
    They found a couple of seats and parked, one-upping each other with tales of their boys, relieved to hear that the antics they dealt with might actually be normal. Before they knew it,