“No, go on…”
“I can’t. But this is exactly why I need a new best friend. Someone I can vent to and discuss the sleepless nights with. It would certainly make my life easier. And I wouldn’t have to apply extra makeup each day because I look like I haven’t slept in a year.”
“S-sleepless nights?” Talia’s brow furrowed, concern flashing in her dark eyes as she squeezed Faye’s knee. “Why aren’t you sleeping, Faye? Talk to me.”
Faye had said far too much already. It wasn’t possible to discuss all of this with Talia for the simple fact that she was the reason Faye wasn’t sleeping. “I’m okay. I’m fine.” Faye sat forward, reaching for her empty glass. “I’ll just leave this in the kitchen and then head home. Dinner was really great, Talia.”
Talia reached out a hand as Faye stood up, but she managed to stop the skin-on-skin contact. Faye couldn’t sit here with Talia any longer; it was too much. She rushed towards the sink and placed her glass in it, grabbing her jacket from the chair on the way towards the door. “I’ll see you at the bistro, okay?”
“Faye, wait.” Talia reached the door before Faye did. “What’s going on? Why are you leaving?”
“I should get home. It’s getting late, and I have stuff to do early in the morning.”
Talia nodded, her palm placed flat against the door. “Right. And you’re sure that’s all it is?”
Faye draped her coat over her hands as Talia pinned her with her stare. If she didn’t, those hands would reach out, grip Talia’s face, and the rest would be history…along with their budding friendship. “Y-yes.”
Talia narrowed her eyes. “What did Jay say to you at the bistro?”
“Nothing. He just introduced himself and we chatted.”
“Jayneverintroduces himself to anyone unless he has an ulterior motive.”
Faye lowered her gaze as she swallowed. She couldn’t possibly tell Talia what Jay had said. Because it would require a further conversation. One Faye wasn’t willing to have. She couldn’t face rejection from this woman a second time around.
Talia reached out a hand and gripped Faye’s jaw gently. She brought her gaze up, those delicious, dark eyes piercing straight through Faye. “Something is going on.”
Faye rested her hand over Talia’s wrist, unsure of where this was going. The only thing she knew was how good it felt to have Talia touching her, close to her like this. “I-I’m okay.”
“I think we need to talk, Faye.”
Faye’s brow creased. What could they possibly have to talk about? “Why?”
“I just do. So, whenever you’re ready to do that with me, let me know. You know when I’m available.” Talia suddenly leaned in, pressing a kiss to Faye’s cheek. She could have sworn she gasped, her heart constricting, but a kiss on the cheek would never be enough for her. Still, it was all she was entitled to. Because Talia, gorgeous and sweet Talia, was off the table. “Call me, okay? Or text…whatever works for you.”
“Okay.”
CHAPTERTEN
Faye blew out a breath,lying flat on her back in bed with her phone gripped to her chest. She really needed to talk to someone. While she’d take anyone she could get a hold of right now, she had no idea where to begin with her contact list. Life as a writer was solitary, she didn’t have many friends she could just call up spur of the moment, and as she lay here tonight, she realised what a sad existence that was. There were no siblings to text, no close friend other than Phoebe. Faye had never felt so lonely.
That was her own doing. She accepted that. Still, it didn’t change the fact that her heart was torn in every way possible. She could have quite easily kissed Talia tonight. She’d wanted to, the thought still swam around in her mind, but what was the point? Talia would only let her down gently and then they’d go back to the same routine of seeing one another at the bistro.
Faye needed to get out of her head, scrap her hopes and dreams with that woman, and learn to let go of what could never be. If she didn’t, she’d do or say something she’d regret. If she didn’t, she’d lose the one person she was enjoying spending time with lately. If Faye knew anything this evening it was that losing Talia entirely…wasn’t worth it.
She turned on her side, eyeing the alarm clock as she set her phone down on the nightstand. It was 10 p.m. and she was already in bed.God, I need to get a life. As Faye reached over to turn out her bedside lamp, the screen lit up, her phone gently vibrating against the wood. She squinted as she turned it towards her.
Talia was calling.
Shit!Faye’s heart hammered in her chest. What the hell did she do? Answer it or ignore it? But she quickly realised that she wasn’t the kind of woman who ignored a call from someone like Talia. It didn’t matter how she felt about her, Faye would never let it ring off. “Hello?”
“You are my type.” Talia spoke low, a hesitant edge to her voice.
Faye’s mouth ran dry, Talia’s voice swirling around in her head. She couldn’t have heard her right. No, no way! “Pardon?”
“You said earlier that you didn’t think you were my type. Well, I’m calling you to tell you that you are.”
Faye rolled onto her back, flicking the lamp off and sending her bedroom into darkness. If she closed her eyes, Talia was lying beside her. If she focused on her breathing, Faye wouldn’t end this night feeling lightheaded. “But…it doesn’t change anything, does it?”