Page 105 of Pyg

Alice tried to squash her grin. “I might’ve been.”

“I’m so sorry. I haven’t slept beside someone for so long, I?—”

Alice placed a hand over Ash’s. “It’s fine… I’m teasing you. It was nice just being held. I miss that.”

“Mmm.” Ash stared at Alice’s hand atop hers and nodded slowly. A line etched between her brows, and she opened her mouth, but instead of speaking, she tipped her head back and drained the beer bottle, its shredded label curling over her fingers.

Alice tapped her empty glass. “Fancy another?”

* * *

Alice lay sprawledon her couch, an arm hanging over the edge as she flicked through the Netflix menu, looking at the screen but only seeing Ash’s face; her gorgeous, confusing-as-fuck face. She couldn’t get enough of her newfriend, but for all the wrong reasons… and now, where was fucking Maggie when she needed to talk to her?

Alice groaned and let the remote roll out of her hand onto the plush rug. The television flickered with the looping trailer forBaby Reindeer.

God, am I like that poor deluded woman? Ash felt sorry for me, and she was just being kind, but now I’m obsessed and following her around like a stalker.

No, Ash had sought Alice out and made plans to begin with. Ash had decided to sleep over two nights in a row. And yes, she may have been asleep, but it was Ash who’d rolled into Alice’s bed-territory and humped her, not the other way around. Alice had enjoyed it, but she hadn’t initiated it. And okay, Alice had checked Ash out on more than one occasion, and she’d flirted, big time, but that was just what Alice did.

At least all the energy expended on trying to figure out Ash hadn’t been spent mooning over Fran.

Alice reached for her phone on the coffee table and called Maggie again. Her sister’s droll tone answered after three rings.

“What tragedy has befallen you this time, dear sister? Wait, don’t tell me, dead car, shattered heart, lost phone, broken bone?”

Alice pouted. “None of those, actually. But if it was, you’d only be finding out three hours later, and you’d feel pretty bad right now.”

“No, not really, darling. You are a grown woman.” The sound grew muffled. “Yes, those. Not the cheap ones.”

“Where are you?”

“In Waitrose, picking up a few groceries. You should try that sometime.”

“I’ll have you know, my fridge is fully stocked right now.”

At the thought of her fridge, Alice swung her feet off the couch and padded over to it. The sound on the line grew muffled again.

“No, Markus. You know we don’t get that brand. Honestly. Yes, the hot ones.”

“Shall I try you again later, Mags?”

“No, just a sec. Christ, Markus. A chunk of the Beaufort and maybe the Morbier, too. You know whatyoulike.”

Alice stood in the yellow glow of her fridge, considering its contents.

Maggie breathed into the phone. “Sorry, Al. He’s bloody useless. Don’t ever marry a man, okay?”

“I think we’re safe on that count.” Alice chuckled and snapped off a yoghurt pot from a six-pack.

“Right, I’ve left him in the queue at the cheese counter. What’s up?”

“I really can call you back later, if it’s not a good?—”

“Now is fine. Speak. I’m standing near the quinoa, so it’s quiet.”

“I’m fucked, Mags. Totally fucked. You were right, as always. I’ve gone and caught feelings for Ash.”

“The doctor?”

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