“She’s not.”
“And it’s going to stay that way. You should be honest with her, Adria. If you care about her, you’ll do the right thing and avoid her.”
Talia glared. She’d never understood why people felt they were entitled to a say on how she lived her life. “You don’t like me…”
“I’m sure you’re lovely, but Faye is my best friend. I won’t have her being the talk of the city because she’s dating you. You’re…different people.”
“You and I certainly are. I have respect for people. I’m not sure you know the meaning of the word.”
“You may respect people, but you clearly don’t respect yourself!” Phoebe stepped around Talia, effectively dismissing their conversation.
But Talia wasn’t done. “You have no idea who I am. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t assume.”
“Please, stay away from her.”
“You know, for someone who claims to be disgusted by what I do, you spend an awful lot of money on me.”
“I have no issue watching you dance or paying you to do so. I just don’t want your hands on my best friend.”
Talia didn’t have the patience to argue with a woman she didn’t know. She’d spent a long time defending herself in the past, and she didn’t have the energy to continue to do so as she reached thirty. She gripped the door handle but turned back. “One thing you should know about me is that I never pursue a relationship. I’m not capable of being loved, but I knew that going into the industry I’m in. Faye is lovely, she’s the kind of woman I’d be attracted to, but I wouldn’t expect her to stay for even five minutes if she realised who I was. She’s already made her feelings about dancing clear. You have nothing to worry about, Phoebe. I’m not out to hurt her.”
Talia turned and left the bathroom, heading for the table she’d occupied for the last two hours. The table she’d sat at nursing heroneglass of wine all evening.
As she shrugged her coat on, a gentle hand gripped her arm. “Hey, are you leaving?”
Faye. Those pretty blue eyes. Her gentle features. But then Talia cleared her throat and stepped away. Faye had her opinion—shame for being at Vision—so Talia admiring her was a waste of time. As with everyone else in the past…Taliawouldface the same fate. “Yeah. I have a lot to do at home.”
“Was…Phoebe in the bathroom with you?” Faye asked.
There was no use lying. “She was. I’m sure she’ll be out in a sec.”
“What did she say to you?”
Talia lowered her eyes to the buttons on her jacket. “Nothing. Why?”
“Because she can’t help herself. So, whatever it was…I apologise. I know you’re not looking, and Phoebe is just getting her hopes up so she doesn’t have to be at my beck and call anymore.”
“Speak to your friend. I’m sure she can tell you anything you need to know.”
Talia left the wine bar, disappointed she wouldn’t have the chance to form a friendship with Faye after tonight. She didn’t have many friends, only one close enough to consider important in her life, but being a dancer usually meant people only gravitated towards her for two things: sex or money. But Faye didn’t strike her as that kind of woman. No, Faye was entirely different to the people Talia usually involved herself with.
Detach yourself. It’s for the best.
* * *
Faye hookedher arm through Phoebe’s as they headed out of the wine bar and towards Faye’s apartment. After Phoebe’s poor date and Faye’s constant thoughts of Talia, they’d decided to head back to the apartment and share the bottle of wine Phoebe had picked up on her way back from the bathroom. Her best friend seemed…distant, but Faye didn’t know why. She seemed perfectly fine when she arrived—minus the dramatics about her failed date.
“You’re still coming up, aren’t you?” Faye side-glanced at Phoebe as her apartment block came into view. “Could do with some company tonight.”
“Of course. I’ll probably stay over if it gets late.”
“Fine by me. You can make breakfast in the morning.”
Phoebe smiled, stopping at the entrance to the block. “Could we discuss something when we get upstairs? I have something I needed to say to you.”
“Let’s crack this open and get on the couch.” Faye let them into the building, opting for the stairs instead of the lift. Taking the two flights would warm her up if nothing else. “It’s been a while since we sat on the couch drinking wine.”
“Well, little miss bestseller has been too busy for teenage antics.”