“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Look, I didn’t want to say anything because you always make it seem like a big deal whenever I have the slightest hint of a love life on the horizon…but I’m meeting Faye’s mum today.”
“You…got together?” Jay shrieked. “When?”
“Like, a few weeks ago. Maybe a bit longer. A while ago…”
“Okay, first of all, I’m not fucking happy with you! How could you keep that from me, Tal? We tell one anothereverything.”
Talia dropped down on a nearby bench, running a hand through her hair. “I’m sorry, okay? You get way too overexcited, and I needed nothing at all to go wrong. Telling you would have meant the potential to look like a dick when it all fell apart was there.”
“Babe, I’d never make you feel like a dick if it hadn’t worked out. I thought you knew me better than that.”
“I do. I just…can we talk about that another time? Right now, I need your advice. Or just for you to tell me everything is going to be okay.”
“Whywouldn’tit be okay?”
Talia looked up at the blue sky above her, shivering as a cold wind blew in from the River Mersey. “Because it’s her mum, Jay. I don’t want to do a single thing to make her dislike me.”
“I…don’t think Faye would introduce you to her unless she was absolutely sure about you. You have nothing to worry about.”
Was it really as simple as someone just liking her? Had Megan really done such a number on her that Talia wasn’t sure she was capable of holding down meaningful relationships with people anymore? This wasn’t the way Talia used to be. God, she was friends with everyone at one time. Well, everyone except those who were blood relatives. Her own mother had turned them all against her a long time ago. Even her cousins didn’t call anymore. “She’s all I have, Jay.”
“Oh, wow. This is serious.”
“Of course it is. She means the world to me. Christ, I’ve even told her I love her. And I do, more than I ever thought possible, but if her mum doesn’t like me…whatever Faye decides to tell her…I don’t know what I’ll do. They’re so close.”
“Where are you meeting? At her mum’s house?”
“No. At a restaurant. Faye didn’t want to put me under too much pressure by taking me to the family home, so she chose a restaurant. Somewhere neutral, you know?”
Jay sniffled. “Oh, babe. That’s a really sweet thing she did.”
“I know. But that’s just Faye,” Talia paused, swallowing as she saw Faye in the distance walking towards her. “Jay?”
“I’m still here.”
“If I lose her, I don’t think I’ll make it this time around. I’m fairly sure I’m more in love with her than I ever was with Megan. And that’s not me feeling that way because someone is showing me some attention—it’s really not like that. I just…I don’t want to lose her.”
“You’re not going to lose her. You’re Talia fucking Gregory, and you can be happy. With Faye, you could besohappy.”
Talia swallowed down the emotion in her throat, offering her best fake smile as Faye neared. “Okay, I have to go. Faye just got here.”
“Good luck, not that you need it. Have the best day, babe. You deserve all of this.”
“Bye, Jay. I’ll call you when I need a shoulder to cry on. Expect it in a few hours.” Talia cut the call and shoved her phone into the inside pocket of her blazer. She got to her feet, kissing Faye’s cheek as they embraced. “Hi, gorgeous. How did your appointment go?”
“Fine. Had coffee with my cover designer, brainstormed, and now I’m here with you. The most beautiful woman in the world.” Faye held Talia at arm’s length, her eyes trailing her body. “And wow, you look amazing.”
“I didn’t know what to wear.” Talia hooked her index finger inside the collar of her shirt, forcing the restraining material away from her throat. “I don’t think I’ve ever covered this much skin in my life.”
Faye reached out, unbuttoning Talia’s top two buttons. “We’re going for lunch, Talia. Not to church.”
“Oh, crap. Is that something your mum is into? Church?”
Faye cocked her head, smiling. “Not that I’m aware of. But if you go in there with your shirt buttoned up to your eyeballs, she’s going to look at you funny. Trust me when I tell you she’s down to earth. She’ll probably try to get you drunk before the afternoon is over.”
Talia exhaled a long breath, looking Faye directly in the eyes. “If I fuck this all up, please know that I’ll always love you, okay?”