“Do me one favour?” Jay asked, a brow arched.
“Of course. Anything.”
“Consider it. Put yourself first, your love life first, and please consider it.”
Talia was wasting her time here with Jay. He always wanted her to be happy, and he wouldn’t let this lie. So, she would tell him exactly what he wanted to hear. “I will.”
CHAPTERNINE
For the firsttime in weeks, Faye felt as though she could breathe. Her career was steady, her friendship with Talia was picking up ever so slightly, and Phoebe had let her be for almost five days now. How long that would continue remained to be seen, but Faye wasn’t willing to stress herself out thinking about it. This evening, she was having a self-care night.
She kicked her feet up onto the coffee table—reluctantly cracking the spine on a new book she’d had delivered this morning—and settled back against the couch. Her living room was at a perfect temperature, her baggy hoodie was soft and fresh, and tonight…Faye was determined to push every issue she had with her love life to the back of her mind and switch off entirely.
Talia would always be there; it was hard for Faye to disregard anything she felt for her. But Faye was wasting her time. It didn’t matter if what she wanted was to be curled up on the couch with Talia right this second, and it didn’t matter if writing at the bistro was becoming one hell of a struggle for her. Talia wasn’t interested, and Faye fully accepted that. Jay may have put some ideas—some wild thoughts—into her mind, but to entertain any of what he’d said would be foolish. Faye knew how Talia felt about her. They were friends, and that was that.
Faye’s phone pinging on the arm of the couch had her groaning. If it was Phoebe, Faye was fully prepared to block her for the night, just so she could have some peace and quiet.
She lifted the device, squinting as the screen lit up.
Her heart jolted.
Talia: Question! Have you ever tried to eat an entire homemade curry by yourself?
Faye grinned. Surely Talia wouldn’t have an issue finishing any kind of food. That woman had hollow legs ninety percent of the time.
Faye: I don’t believe I have, but I don’t doubt that you will inhale it from the pan in mere minutes!
Talia: I don’t know whether to be offended by that or not…
Faye: Not. I wish I could eat the amount you do without it going directly to my hips. What curry did you whip up?
Talia: Chicken. And it smells amazing. Almost as good as the soup I made for you when you were sick.
Faye smiled at that. But her heart didn’t quite match up with it. As much as she’d loved seeing Talia at her apartment the night she woke on the couch, it didn’t mean what Faye desperately wished it to mean. Talia was a spectacular friend; Faye could barely comprehend how amazing she must be in a committed relationship.
It’ll never be. Stop torturing yourself!
Faye: I promise to return the favour if you’re ever sick.
Talia: Or…you could join me at mine tonight and share this curry with me.
As Faye swallowed, she lay her phone in her lap and rested her head back. Could she go over to Talia’s for dinner? Of course she could, she could do whatever the hell she pleased, but would it be the wisest decision she could make? No. Not in this lifetime.
Faye: Thank you for the offer, but I’ve just settled down for the evening.
Three dots appeared, bobbing away on the screen beneath Faye’s message. She chewed the corner of her bottom lip, shaking her head ever so slightly. Talia deserved a friend, but it was becoming increasingly clear that Faye couldn’t be the kind of friend she needed. In passing, yes. While Talia was working, sure. But a friend who spent time with her alone…no. Faye had to stop doing this to herself.
Talia: I bet you have a hot chocolate on the coffee table, a blanket over your lap, and a book in your hands.
Okay, nowthatmade Faye smile wide, her heart this time fluttering.
Faye: Am I that predictable?
Talia: Not at all. I just know what you like. I think.
If Talia was so sure she knew what Faye liked, why could they only be friends? Because in Faye’s mind, Talia was her perfect woman. Okay, she hadn’t envisaged a life with someone who worked at a strip club, but did anyone imagine that growing up? Faye doubted it.
Before she could respond to Talia, her phone pinged again.