Page 20 of Finally Loved

Alba perked up, grinning. “Yeah?”

“Yes. But wewillbe returning to the topic.”

And so they ate, and talked about their food—which was excellent—and both relaxed into their usual dynamic without the Neve thing dominating the conversation.

It was another sign of the strength of their relationship, Alba mused as she finished up her food. No matter how unhappy Zainab was with Alba bringing them here, they both knew how to put things aside and enjoy the moment. She’d never really had that before Zainab. Things either simmered or were addressed in the moment, usually with high tempers and words people couldn’t take back.

She hadn’t really understood it the first time she and Zainab disagreed on something and, exhausted and emotional, Zainabhad asked if they could shelve the discussion for tomorrow and watch some mindless television together. For over half an hour, Alba’s heart had pounded as she sat on the sofa next to Zainab, waiting for something that never came. Eventually, she relaxed and they talked about the show, and everything was normal and nice, and, the next day, they’d talked about their disagreement again with clearer heads and fewer fraught emotions, and Alba felt like that was maybe the first time she’d ever had a truly healthy and mature disagreement with someone. Maybe the first time she’d ever seen a healthy disagreement—at least one bigger than about which movie to watch, or what to eat for dinner.

Now, it was just a fixture of life, and Alba hadn’t been anxious about it for a minute. However, as they wrapped up their food, and Zainab leaned her arms on the table, angling towards Alba, that same nervousness broke out in her chest again. She wasn’t even sure why. She really wasn’t trying to stalk, date, or even really see Neve. Yes, she’d wanted to make sure Neve was okay. And, yes, maybe she would like to try being friends with the woman. And, even, yes, Zainab wastechnicallycorrect when she said Neve was Alba’s type. But it wasn’t about all of that. She’d just… felt compelled to come here. And fate had figured out the rest. That was all it was.

“I’m not going to lecture you on how terrible an idea—actually, yes, I am. It’s a terrible and invasive idea to try tracking people down by stalking their usual spots,” Zainab whispered, just for Alba.

“I know that. I really wasn’t doing that. I just thought this looked like a nice place. I didn’t even know she came here. She didn’t say a thing about it.”

“Not exactly a huge leap to make that she might, though.”

Alba sighed. “Yeah. I guess. I just… I don’t know. I saw it and couldn’t stop worrying about her. And I wanted to know she wasokay, but that was it. I really didn’t think she’d be here and I’d actually get to ask.”

Zainab relaxed back in her chair. “Fine. I believe you. You’re a fool, but you’re hardly a threatening one.”

“Um, thanks?”

She laughed. “And, now you know, you can leave her alone? You’re not going to start showing up here every day?”

“I don’t know, the food is pretty good.”

Zainab scowled dangerously. “Alba.”

Alba laughed. “I’m kidding. I mean, this place is good, but I promise I’m not going to show up here waiting for her. I’m just glad she’s doing okay. Wouldn’t you be curious if you’d rescued someone?”

“Rescued someone? It’s not like she fell down a well.”

“You know what I mean.”

Zainab sighed again. “I suppose I do. And, yes, maybe I would be curious, but the difference between us is that I wouldn’t show up looking for them.”

“That’s not why we’re here.”

She watched Alba with a serious, knowing look. “I just don’t want you getting hurt. Or hurting her. She already just had one tough breakup.”

Alba stretched her arms out in confusion. “Nobody is getting hurt! There’s nothing going on, nothing’s going to be going on. Everything is fine. Besides, you’re the one who gave her my number.”

“Well, yes, because it would have happened eventually.”

“Would it?” Alba looked around, bewildered. What did Zainab know that she didn’t?

Zainab groaned, her head dropping forwards. “Yes. It definitely would have.”

“How could you possibly know that?”

“You really don’t think anything through.”

“That’s not true.”

She stood up, gathering her things, and Alba followed suit, getting more curious the longer Zainab was quiet, but she didn’t say a word the whole time they were paying and leaving and walking to the car.

Eventually, she looked at Alba. “There’s an energy between you. Even without the way you’ve been fixated on her all week. She’s your type and the way youarewith each other. At least this way we know.”

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