Just when you find a woman you’re actually interested in.Faye snorted. It was the story of her life.
She puffed out her cheeks and began responding to an email from her publisher. Faye would have her manuscript ready to go within the next couple of weeks. She couldn’t wait for it to be out of her hands for a while. It meant she could breathe. It also meant she could lounge around watching pointless rubbish on TV while eating a tub of ice cream. Yes, she was licking her wounds. Wounds that Talia had unknowingly inflicted.
Her phone started to ring beside her as the server brought coffee and a fresh fruit salad. It was Phoebe. She offered a smile as she answered. “Hi.”
“Hey, you busy?”
Faye shrugged. “I’ve just sat down with coffee and breakfast before I get some work done. What’s up?”
“I was wondering if you wanted to grab lunch with me this afternoon. Maybe around one?”
Faye chewed her lip. She was still angry with Phoebe. Faye didn’t generally let things fester within her friendships, but this seemed to be lingering much longer than she thought it would. Phoebe was just so rude when it came to Talia. So dismissive of who she was as a human being. Faye didn’t like it at all.
“If I can get the rest of this work finished off for the day, yes.” That was the closest she could come to saying yes.
“That was really enthusiastic.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m busy.”
Phoebe sighed. “Are you sitting there watching her?”
“Who?”
“You know who I’m talking about.” Phoebe’s tone didn’t appeal to Faye this morning. She really didn’t have the time to hear her complain about something that wasn’t her issue. “Faye?”
“I’m working. Talia isn’t here. And even if she was, what business is it of yours?”
“Of course she’s not.”
“I thought you were stepping away. You know, as you so bluntly put it last week?”
“I will if I have to. She’s no good for you, Faye. Can you imagine what people would say, what they’d think? You’re out of your mind.”
“Quite frankly, my life is of nobody else’s concern, Phoebe. Yours included. But to put your mind at rest, Talia and I are not dating…and we never will be.”
“So you came to your senses then?”
Faye pinched the bridge of her nose, her eyes closing. “I’m hanging up now. And to answer your question, no. I can’t join you for lunch.”
Faye ended the call, dropping her phone to the table with a clatter. She couldn’t win with Phoebe. If she wasn’t actively looking for love, she was being miserable. And when she was, it was the wrong person.
If Talia had told her she would consider her drinks offer on Sunday, Faye would go ahead with it, but the pain in Talia’s voice told Faye everything she needed to know. Talia wouldneverbe looking for a relationship. Not while she was doing the job she was. And as much as it pained Faye to know that she couldn’t potentially show Talia she could be happy, she had to accept her decision.
Stop thinking about her. She’s not even here today.
That was until the bistro door opened and a sweaty Talia strode in wearing a racerback and leggings, a jacket wrapped around her waist.Oh, wow.Faye sat up straight, concentrating on her screen. If she didn’t stare, she wouldn’t itch to reach out and touch the woman at the counter.
She heard Talia place an order, thrilled that she could soon be joining Faye at her table. But was that a good idea? Sitting with Talia while she was sweaty and hot— very hot—wouldn’t do her any favours today. None whatsoever.
She rolled her neck and tapped away on her keyboard. If she could preoccupy herself as much as possible, Talia wouldn’t be on her mind.Liar!
“Hi,” an out of breath Talia said, stopping directly in front of Faye.
Her eyes slowly lifted up shapely, toned legs, that gorgeous chest rising and falling as Talia tried to catch her breath. “H-hi.”
“Mind if I join you?”
“No. Not at all.” Faye swallowed, lifting her coffee cup to hide the smirk that was desperately trying to break out on her mouth. “Help yourself.”