“You look tired, Tal.”
“I am. Monday at the bistro is always busy. But I like it there, and the customers aren’t half bad either.”
“Mm. I noticed that today,” Jay said, grinning as he stabbed at his salad with his fork. “And Faye seems nice.”
“Yes, I noticed you were speaking to her.” Talia narrowed her eyes. She should ask, but she knew Jay wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. He wasn’t Phoebe. “Did she say much?”
“Not really. I introduced myself, and she offered me a seat.”
“That’s nice. She’s really lovely. And last week when she was sick, I felt so sorry for her.”
“Nurse Talia. I like the sound of that.”
“Don’t be ridiculous—it wasn’t like that. Poor Faye could barely keep her head up.”
Jay smirked. “In front of you? She must be a fool.”
“Hey, no. Don’t do that. I knowyouthink I’d be the perfect girlfriend, but I know different.” Talia had only left Faye’s place more torn than the last time she’d seen her. “Considering I’d poured my heart out to her and got upset, you wouldn’t have known. That’s what I like about her, though. She doesn’t rehash things to keep the conversation going. You know?”
“I like her.”
Talia lay her head back on the couch and sighed. “Me too.”
“So, ask her out.” Jay said those words so nonchalantly that Talia almost burst out laughing. He surely wasn’t serious.
“You know I can’t.”
“Actually, I know youcan.And I know you want to. The pair of you did nothing but watch one another while I was having breakfast. As sweet as it was to watch, it was also painful.”
“It works as friends.” Talia loved having Faye in her life. Friends wasn’t all that bad. It certainly beat nothing at all. Jay could push this all he wanted to; it wouldn’t change anything. “I know you think it’s as simple as just asking her out, but I’ve already turned her down. And I did so for a reason.”
“But you told me she was fine with your career.”
Talia rolled her eyes. Jay was insufferable. “Of course she’ll tell me that. She already feels awful for offending me after she’d been to the club.”
“And if she reallyisokay with it all?”
Talia sat upright, pulling her legs from Jay’s lap and bringing her knees to her chest. “Nobody is everreallyokay with it, Jay. We’ve been through this, and quite frankly, I feel like a broken record every time it comes up in conversation. I mean, you actually expect someone like Faye to sit at home while I’m dancing? You expect her to fall in love with someone like me? Get real, kid. It’s never going to happen.”
“I think she’s on her way there,” Jay said, offering Talia a weak smile. “You may not see it, but I do. That woman is watching every move you make, and I’ll bet when you’re alone together, she’s hanging off your every word.”
Talia lowered her head, her heart aching. “It would only be a matter of time before she asked me to quit. And she would be well within her rights to do so.”
Jay reached out a hand, squeezing Talia’s. “Give her a little more credit than that.”
“Jay, I don’t even know her. But I know she’s way too good for me.”
“That’s bullshit. You’re a good person, you have the biggest heart of anyone I know, and I think Faye sees that in you too. When she was sick last week, you were the one who showed up for her. Nobody else. And as much as I know you’re trying to distance yourself, you’re failing miserably, girl.”
A sob escaped Talia’s mouth, and her eyes squeezed shut. “I’ve tried to distance myself. I can’t do it. All I think about is Faye. But I know I’m torturing myself.”
“Give it some time. Don’t completely dismiss the idea based on past experience. You know I was never quite sure about Megan, but Faye? I see a great future with her around.”
“It’s all just a fantasy.” Talia shook her head, building her defences sky high. She’d let her walls down too much lately, and it was time to protect herself. “I’m a dancer; it’ll be the same as the rest of them. It’s all just a fantasy, Jay.”
“Wait, I thought you said she didn’t know who you were when you danced for her…”
“She says she didn’t, but I have no way of knowing if it’s true or not. It’ll be the idea of it all that she’s attracted to, not me. Because what the hell can I offer to her life? Have you seen her? My God, it would never last.”