“Marian is putting it all over Facebook. I’m sorry, but that woman he’s met has a bloody tonne of money. If she’s doing what she loves, more power to her. It’s nice to see women doing the best for themselves. Her shoes probably cost more than what I have left to pay on my mortgage.”
“I’m a stripper!”
Faye’s eyes widened as she slowly turned to Talia. While she loved that her girlfriend felt comfortable saying that, she hadn’t expected her to blurt it out.
Irene reached out a hand and placed it over Talia’s. “Good for you, love.”
Talia sunk back in her seat, covering her face with a hand. “I’m so sorry.” She groaned as what she’d said clearly started to sink in, but as Faye eyed her mum, Irene gave her a thumbs up and grinned. “I shouldn’t have said it like that.”
“Oh, love. It’s fine.” Irene waved off Talia’s apology. “So, did you really meet at a bistro, or did you meet her while she was dancing for you?” This time it was Faye’s turn to feel mortified. “I know you’re a dark horse, Faye, so come on…I want the truth.”
“No, wedidmeet at the bistro. But then I kinda went to the club before I knew who Talia was.”
Talia cleared her throat, sitting forward and taking Faye’s hand that sat on the table. She faced Irene, squeezing Faye’s hand. “Faye is amazing, but I’m sure you already know that. She’s accepted me, loved me, and reassured me whenever I’ve had doubts. I never in a million years expected someone like her to fall for someone like me, but it actually happened, and I’m going to do everything I can to make her happy.”
“You already do.” Faye’s heart fluttered; her belly too. As hot as Talia was, she was just as sweet. Perhaps more so.
“And I guess I just want to thank you for having a really gorgeous daughter.”
Irene reached out a hand to them both, smiling with tears in her eyes. “When Faye called and told me she’d met someone, I was ecstatic for her. She deserves to be loved, to have a wonderful woman in her life, so thankyoufor finding her. You both look wonderful together.”
Talia grinned. “She’s special.”
“You both are. Welcome to the family, Talia.” Irene winked, lifting her wine glass and raising it. “To you two gorgeous women.”
Faye leaned in, kissing below Talia’s ear. “I’m so proud of who you are. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Talia reached blindlyfor her phone, placing it on the nightstand where it repeatedly buzzed. She cracked one eye open and focused on the screen. Paul was calling her. “Babe?” She searched behind her, finding the bed empty. “Faye?” Nothing. Faye wasn’t sleeping, and if she was…it wasn’t in Talia’s bed. Deciding she would deal with her lack of Faye in a few minutes, Talia answered the call. “Can I help you?”
“You’re still sleeping?” Paul scoffed. “The woman I know would be running the streets right now.”
“Yeah, and the Paul IthoughtI knew wouldn’t have asked me to choose between the profession I love and the woman I love.”
“I’m sorry, Tal. Come back, please?”
She rolled onto her back, placing a palm to her forehead. Of course she wanted to be at Vision. She’d nevernotwanted that. But the ease with which Paul let her go still sat firmly in her mind. Without seeming too cocky, she was supposed to be his pride and joy. She hadn’t been seconded here for nothing. “I don’t know.”
“What do I have to do?”
Talia chewed her lip. In an ideal world, she would be spending the weekend with Faye.Everyweekend. But if she was dancing again, it wasn’t possible to have one together in the near future. She loved how Faye was willing to change her days around, but she shouldn’t have to. “Swap me from Saturday to…Wednesday. Permanently.”
“You want me to take you off Saturday?”
Talia understood the shock in Paul’s voice, but it was true. She wanted Saturdays off. “Yep. You heard me right.”
“But…Saturday is one of our busiest nights.”
“Oh, come on. You know full well that you don’t need me on FridayandSaturday. By doing a Wednesday shift instead, it’ll bring more in midweek.”
Paul fell silent, just the sound of papers rustling on his desk. “I…don’t know. I’ll have to think about that, Talia.”
Talia shrugged. “You do that. When you’ve decided, let me know.”
She brought the phone away from her ear, smiling when Paul yelled “Wait” down the line.