“Great. She’s been working this morning. Just waiting for her now.”
Phoebe smiled weakly, gripping her handbag on her shoulder. “Right, then I’d better get going. I believe she doesn’t want to see me again.”
Talia nodded slowly, allowing that to sink in. Faye hadn’t mentioned much about the conversation she had with Phoebe that morning, but she hadn’t come home upset. So, that was something. “I’d love to say that it’ll all work out, but can you blame her for not wanting to see you? After what you did…”
“No, I get it. I really do.” Phoebe swallowed. “I can’t believe I actually did that to you.”
“But you did. In a place where I’m supposed to feel safe, you ruined that for me.”
“Y-you’re not dancing anymore?” Phoebe’s brows rose with surprise.
“Oh, I’m still working there. But because of you, I watch my back every time a client walks through the door. I wait for the day whenyouwalk through the door.”
“I’m banned from entering.”
“I know. But knowing you, you’d find a way around that. You’re far from stupid…but so am I.”
Phoebe took a step closer to Talia. “I made some huge mistakes. I know I’ll never gain Faye’s trust again, but I only have myself to blame for that.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell her how you felt? If you loved her, as you claim to, then why not be upfront about it?” Talia wasn’t sure she wanted to push this, it could all backfire, but she knew Faye well enough to feel confident that she wouldn’t lose her.
“Faye has never felt that way about me. Not once. And while I couldn’t help my own feelings, I knew that being her friend was better than nothing at all. She’s…way too good for me. And part of me still believes that she’s far too good for you too, but she’s made her decision, and I hope she’s happy. She deserves that. After Amy…” Phoebe shook her head. “God, she was heartbroken.”
“She doesn’t talk about her much. Not really.”
Phoebe smiled. “No, I don’t blame her for that. Amy was supposed to stand by her through thick and thin. Faye had never done a single thing to upset her, but the jealousy was just too much. I wasn’t there as it was all happening, but I did help to pick her back up during her divorce.”
“I’m sure she appreciated that.”
“I’d like to think so. I didn’t do it because I had an ulterior motive. It wasn’t until a year or two after we met that I realised how much I cared for her.”
“You’ve said some pretty shit things to her lately, Phoebe. You don’t do that to someone who is supposed to be your friend.”
Phoebe held up a hand. “I know. Believe me, I feel terrible about it. Because while I was busy trying to destroy her relationship with you, I forgot how much my friendship with her meant. And now that I’ve lost it, I don’t really know what to do with myself.”
“Hate will do that. Instead of bad-mouthing me, you could have been supportive of her decision,” Talia said, getting to her feet again when she spotted Faye walking along the promenade. She waved her girlfriend over, clearing her throat. “I don’t care if you’re in her life or not, it’s no skin off my nose if I never look at your face again, but if you do make amends…I’m warning you right now that I’ll be watching your every move. I love Faye, she means the world to me, and I won’t have somesupposedfriend trying to destroy that again.”
“I know she isn’t interested in me.”
“Do youwantto be her friend, Phoebe? Not just when it suits you, but every day?”
Phoebe nodded.
“Then try acting like it.” Faye watched them as she met Talia and Phoebe at the bench, but Talia stepped around Phoebe and planted a kiss on Faye’s lips. “Hi, babe.”
“Everything okay here?” Faye looked between them both when Phoebe turned around. Her tone left no room to wonder if she was still angry with Phoebe, but Talia didn’t want that. She hated anger and conflict. What was the point of it all?
“Everything is fine. Phoebe was passing by, and we got talking.”
“Mm. Right.”
Phoebe focused on Faye, a hesitant smile on her mouth. “Hi. How are you?”
“Fine, thanks.” Faye turned her back, eyeing the bench. And then she grinned at Talia. “You…brought sandwiches?”
“Thought we could have a picnic while you have a few hours off.”
Faye chuckled as she shook her head. “You’re amazing. And I’m starving. So…” She turned back to Phoebe. “Nice seeing you. Take care.”