“What are you doing here?” Phoebe stepped out of the lift, looking Talia up and down. “You’re so desperate for her to see you, but she doesn’t want you.”
Talia pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling a breath. If she didn’t keep her cool, she was going to do something she’d regret. “You got your wish, okay? I’m gone.”
“From the city or…”
“From Faye’s life.”
Phoebe stepped past Talia, grinning. “Good. That’s good. Is this you leaving with your tail between your legs then? I don’t have to worry about finding you here anymore?”
“Sure. Whatever.” Talia had no fight left inside of her. She’d been defeated once and for all. “Hey?”
Phoebe turned, snarling. “What?”
“Fuck you!”
* * *
Faye pressedher palms to the back of the couch, her knees weak. In the next few minutes, there was the potential to vomit. Taking deep breaths, she squeezed her eyes shut and prayed her lasting image of Talia wouldn’t be her eyes as Faye closed the door in her face.You told her you don’t want to see her anymore.An unusual sense of panic rose in Faye’s chest, the idea of never seeing Talia again quite terrifying.
And after this evening, the thought of seeking her out to apologise was even more frightening. “Oh, God.” Faye pushed off the couch and pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes. “What the hell have you done?”
Faye had no idea what to do next. A huge part of her wanted to run after Talia and beg her for forgiveness, but another part of her knew it would be a mistake. Nothing had been easy for them in terms of a relationship so far, and it wouldn’t likely turn out to be any different moving forward. But then Faye thought about all the times when they were alone together. How Talia’s sole focus was always on her. How they talked freely and laughed without a second thought. Didn’t that outweigh the inner turmoil she felt whenever things between them didn’t seem possible? It should…but it didn’t.
A light knock on the door had Faye’s heart rate skyrocketing through the roof. Had Talia decided she wanted to try again? God, it had to be her.
Faye reached out a hand, forcing her front door open. But when she was met with a grinning Phoebe, her stomach rolled. “What?”
“Came straight here from Vision. Wanted to check on you.” Phoebe stepped past Faye, shedding her coat.
“Don’t bother hanging your coat up. You’re not staying.”
Phoebe spun around. “Um, why not?”
Faye laughed, shaking her head. Phoebe may be oblivious to her behaviour at times—at least, that was what Faye once thought—but she no longer believed that. This woman was intent on ruining her life. “When I divorced Amy, why did you decide to hang around? Why, for the love of fucking God, did you want to be my friend?”
Phoebe softened. “Because I like you. You’re a good friend.”
“So do you treat all your friends the way you treat me? Or am I just stupid enough to allow you to walk all over me?”
“W-walk all over you? I’ve never done that.”
“In your eyes, maybe not. But I’m done here, Phoebe. I don’t want you around anymore. You’ve ruined everything tonight. Our friendship included.”
“Why? Because I made a comment or two about Talia? You need to lighten up!”
“And you need to leave. Get your coat and get out of my apartment.” The longer Phoebe stood in front of her, the more infuriated Faye felt herself becoming. “I thought you cared about me. I thought you wanted me to be happy. But it’s only onyourterms, and I cannot for the life of me fathom why!”
“Faye, calm down.” Phoebe stepped closer, reaching out a hand. But Faye only moved further away from her supposed friend. “Faye, please…”
“The things you said back at the club, the way you spoke to me…” Faye wrapped her arms around herself, fighting back the tears in her eyes. “I don’t know what’s going on with you lately, but I don’t like it. I don’t like any of this.”
Phoebe scoffed. “So, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying that you and I really aren’t good for one another. I’m not cut out for a friendship with you anymore. You ruined the one thing I had going for me tonight, and I’m not sure I can ever forgive you for that.”
“The one thing you had going for you?”
“Talia. I had Talia going for me.” Faye smiled weakly at just the memory.