“Is still there if I want it. I just…have other priorities now. Ones that include loving you for as long as you’ll have me. Amongst other things.” Talia smiled into a kiss, cradling Faye’s chin in her fingers. “And I really mean every word of that, Faye. I can’t imagine a world where you and I don’t exist as a couple anymore. The thought of not waking up next to you, or coming home to you, or just…being with you absolutely terrifies me. But I also know that people change, what they want can change, so I’m all yours until you say otherwise.”
Talia never wanted to imagine what could be. She wanted to enjoy life with Faye as much as she possibly could. But she’d been burned so hard in the past that it was hardtolet go and give herself over fully. Still, the difference between Faye and Megan was stark. Faye had never complained about her career or asked when Talia was throwing in the towel. She’d never shied away from conversations they had about clients or what went on at Vision. Faye was everything Talia had ever dreamed of.
“I don’t see a future without you either, Talia. So, whenever you’re worried about us, or when you’re waiting for me to leave, just remember that. Remember that no woman has ever stolen my heart so quickly. That no woman has ever kissed me the way you kiss me. And that there isn’t a single person on this earth who makes my heart pound the way you do.”
Talia swallowed down the emotion in her throat. Faye was a writer; of course she had a way with words, but Talia knew she meant everything she’d just said. “I love you.”
Faye wrapped a hand around the back of Talia’s neck, that gentle smile ever-present as they touched foreheads. “I love you, too.”
“Hey, so I have new shifts at work…when I go back.”
Faye frowned. “Oh. Will I see you less?”
“No, babe. You’ll get me every weekend from now on. I no longer work Saturday, but Wednesday instead.”
Faye’s blue eyes lit up, the most beautiful smile gracing her mouth. “Really? Like…actualweekends?”
“Real weekends, Faye. Just you and I…doing weekend stuff.”
“I think I love you even more now.”
Talia laughed, rolling on top of Faye and pinning her hands above her head. “Maybe I could do that thing you like, and then you’ll love me even more than that! You know, the thing with my tongue?” Talia narrowed her eyes.
Faye shifted further down the bed as Talia slid lower down her body. “Yes. I think that might help.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
Talia yawned,sitting down on a bench on the dock, her hands shoved in the pockets of her jacket. The weather was great today, but the wind that came off the river wasn’t pleasant at all. Faye was meeting her here in the next twenty minutes—she had a video call scheduled for midday at her place—so Talia had made them sandwiches, and now she had a picnic planned by the water.
She was due back at work tonight. Two weeks on since she’d agreed to return, Talia was beginning to regret it. She loved spending the night with Faye, she never wanted to leave her sleeping alone, but the bistro didn’t quite pay the bills and offer Talia the lifestyle she had. Okay, she didn’t flaunt her money, but she’d made a comfortable living for herself, and if she wanted that to continue, Vision was the place to be. There would come a point when she was ‘too old’ to dance—she wasn’t getting any younger—so while she still had the figure and the energy to do what she loved, it was a wise decision to go back.
Talia stared out at the river, watching a cruise ship at the new terminal as passengers boarded. The size of cruise ships always fascinated her. Floating hotels, whatever people called them, also frightened the life out of her. How could something so monumental stay upright in a body of water? Crazy. Talia shook her head, puffing out her cheeks as she looked around for any sign of her girlfriend.
She squinted, spotting someone familiar walking towards her. It wasn’t Faye…it was Phoebe.
Okay, no. She wasn’t doing this. Life without Phoebe interfering had been wonderful recently. Talia wasn’t going to allow this woman the slightest chance to fuck it all up for her. She needed Phoebe gone before Faye arrived. While Talia couldn’t stand her, she would never expect Faye to cut all contact. But Faye had done exactly that since she dropped by Phoebe’s several weeks ago.
As far as Talia was aware, Phoebe hadn’t contacted Faye.
She shot to her feet, clearing her throat as Phoebe slowly approached her. “Are you here to finish this once and for all?”
Phoebe stopped, taking a slight step back. “Pardon?”
“The river.” Talia cocked her head. “You planning to push me in and tell Faye it was a terrible accident?”
“Actually, I was on my lunch break, and I usually walk along the river because I’m cooped up in the office all day.”
Talia shrugged and sat back down. “Fair enough.” She expected Phoebe to keep walking, but she remained still in front of Talia. “Can I help you with something?”
“I…wanted to apologise.”
As much as Talia wanted to give Phoebe the benefit of the doubt, a scoff still fell from her mouth. Phoebe, after everything she’d done, wanted to apologise? “Fine. Apology accepted.”
“I don’t expect you or Faye to ever forgive me, but Iamsorry, Talia. And I know it probably means nothing, I don’t deserve forgiveness from you, but I do mean it. If I’ve realised anything recently, it’s that I have a lot of work to do on myself.”
Okay, that was unusual. She couldn’t recall a time when Phoebe had ever called her by her actual nameorapologised. She usually made a point of using Talia’s stage name at any given opportunity…while trying to belittle her. “Sure.”
“H-how is Faye?” Phoebe cast her gaze on the floor.