But it’s difficult to stop.
Every part of me wants to consume her with my gaze, to stare and stare and stare, to let myself sink into the unmistakable love coursing through me.
And as Faye stares back, I can sense she’s feeling the same, feeling as though destiny is tugging at us both.
“Faye,” Lola says, and we both turn to her.
“Yeah?” Faye asks, her voice shivering in a way that….
Not now.
But even here, the tremor in her voice reminds me of yesterday, of how she sounded when she finally let go.
I tame the beast within – at least for the time being – and hear it for the anxiety it is.
Lola sighs. “I’m torn here, I’ve got to admit. I can see the way you two are looking at each other. But what if this is…. Well, you had a crush on him for years, Faye. Obviously, you’re going to want to jump at this chance. I mean, if I remove the fact it’s Dad we’re talking about, that makes complete sense. But what if the crush wears off? And Dad, what if this…whatever-the-hell-you’re-feeling wears off too?”
She waves her hands, causing a smile to touch my lips as I remember the countless other times she’s gestured in the exact same way.
“This will never wear off,” Faye says, with some familiar sassiness in her voice. “This isn’t about the crush. Sure, I’ve always wanted him…you….”
She turns to me shyly, and my smile widens.
Then I force it away. I can’t take anything for granted yet.
Lola might still say no.
“But it’s more than that. There’s no doubt in my mind, Lola, except for you,” Faye says.
“Me?”
“I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”
My body roars at me to go to my woman. When I hear the sob in her voice, I want to go to comfort her.
“You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, ever could have. You’re the best person I know. I’m so, so sorry for sneaking around. I hate that we did that, and….”
She cuts herself short. I know what she was going to say, and Lola deserves to know.
“Faye wanted to tell you,” I say. “Early on, she pushed for it. But I couldn’t…I was terrified. And I thought maybe we could fight it. Or maybe I was just telling myself that.”
“So, what changed?”
Faye and I exchange a look. It’s quick, brimming with guilt and remembered passion, as we both think makinglove, that’s what’s changed.
Lola’s too quick to miss that, looking between us. “Oh, right. I see.”
“I’m sorry,” I tell Lola. “I should’ve listened to Faye. We should’ve told you right away. But I didn’t, don’t want to lose you, Lola.”
Lola sits back, sighing. “You two are clearly happy together.”
“Yeah,” we say at the same time.
“The happiest I’ve ever been,” I go on. “Happier than I thought I could be.”
“I can see that,” Lola says quietly. “But before I tell you what I think, I need to ask you something, both of you. And I want you to be honest. Completely honest.”
I swallow, nodding.