Page 26 of Finally Loved

“Indeed.”

Alba let it drop, considering, as she danced, how much time she really would have to spend around Charlie if she became friends with Neve. She’d only found it amusing in the café. Now, it felt like something she’d actually have to deal with. But, how did you tell your brand new friend’s friend that you weren’t romantically interested in said friend and not have it be weird? Even just hypothetically, it sounded like the weirdest conversation Alba could imagine.

Perhaps she could just spend time with Neve, see Charlie occasionally, and Charlie would finally get the message that there was nothing sinister about the relationship or Alba, and that they were, in fact, just friends.

She swayed with the music, people jostling her on every side, focusing on the pounding bass and the moment. However, when someone reached out from behind her, their hands gripping her hips, Alba jolted. She twisted, looking to see who it was. It would be an odd hold for one of her friends, but not entirely impossible.

The person behind her, though, she’d never seen before. They smirked at her, eyes half-lidded, as their hands moved her hips along with the sway of their own, pulling her in tighter. She’d had people do that to her before, it wasn’t alwaysunwelcome or unenjoyable. This time, however, all she could think about was Neve.

Their relationship wasn’t romantic. It wasn’t something she was going to force into being romantic, either. Alba really did just want to be friends with her. But, when faced with someone hitting on her, Alba couldn’t deny the way her mind cataloged all of the ways they weren’t Neve. Probably because, as everyone kept pointing out, Neve was her type, but still, it wasn’t the best realization when she’d been trying so hard to deny having feelings for Neve.

But, you could fancy someone and still be friends with them. There was no rule against that. In all likelihood, it would make the crush go away sooner.

The person holding her clenched their hands tighter on her hips. Alba, almost having forgotten they were even there, wrenched herself away from them. “Taken. Sorry.”

She stepped away, frowning at herself. She hadn’t planned to say that. She’d used it before to get out of awkward situations. Being in a relationship generally invited fewer questions or follow-ups from people who thought you simply needed convincing, but saying it while she was thinking about Neve felt like betraying her.

So did someone else holding her hips, but that was just nonsense.

Alba watched them move away, standing still in the middle of the dance floor, the crowd moving around her. She pulled out her phone, unable to stop the swoop in her stomach at seeing Neve had replied.

Okay, so she definitely had a little bit of a crush. But she wasn’t going to do anything about it. She was going to be friends with Neve and that was all. And she’d be the very best friend she could.

Sorry for the slow replies. Just out celebrating a friend’s birthday—she’s wearing a birthday tiara. It’s amazing!

It didn’t take long for Neve to message back.Sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt you! I hope your friend has a great birthday and that you have fun! I can talk to you another time!

Alba smiled at the exclamation points ending every sentence. She smiled at the apology. She smiled at Neve.

No one else I’d rather talk to from the middle of a packed dance floor

She glanced up as the dancing crowd jostled her, still smiling, only to see Zainab’s gaze on her.

She smiled wider, mostly to annoy Zainab, but also to cover for herself. In her peripheral vision, she’d spotted Neve’s reply arrive, and she smiled at the fact that she was absolutely going to hell. But at least she’d have a great time on the journey there.

Chapter 9

The last thing Neve had been expecting when she’d texted Alba was for her to come over in the middle of the night, but here she was: two in the morning, sneaking down the stairs to the front door of her apartment, dressed in leggings and a hoodie she probably should have rethought, and waiting for Alba to arrive.

The last time she’d been sneaking around at night after running into Alba, Charlie had found her in the kitchen. This time, Neve hoped beyond hope that Charlie wouldn’t find her. She had no idea how she’d explain what was going on, and she had no interest in having the inevitable conversation that followed Alba’s coming over. She stared down at her socks—turquoise and covered in tiny popsicles—pulled up over her leggings and really wished she’d had the wherewithal to get changed. Although, when someone was unexpectedly coming over at 2 AM, surely they didn’t expect you to be dressed well?

Neve winced, a sick feeling grabbing hold of her stomach. She had a feeling she knew what most people were expecting when they showed up on your doorstep in the early hours.Everyoneknew. But this wasn’t that.

She wasn’t entirely sure what thiswas, but she knew it wasn’t that.

After being flustered at Alba insisting she wanted to talk to Neve, they basically hadn’t stopped texting. Neve felt guilty about pulling Alba’s attention away from the birthday party, but Alba had seemed entirely unconcerned. She’d also sent multiple pictures from the dance floor to demonstrate that she was still a part of the celebrations. Neve had not missed Zainab’s expression in several of them—knowing, suggestive, teasing? Neve still didn’t understand that whole dynamic very well and was even more confused when Alba suggested coming over. Was she bringing Zainab with her? And if not, how did that work exactly? Were they dating? Was it an open relationship? Too early to be exclusive? Together but Zainab wasreallyinto giving out Alba’s number to other women?

Her phone lit up with a text from Alba.Last chance to change your mind if you’re too tired for company

Neve chewed on her lip as she replied.Haha. I’m good. Promise.

Great! We’re outside

Neve’s stomach turned. Charlie was going to read into the situation a million wrong ways and kill her in the morning.

At least Alba had saidwe, so that probably meant Zainab was coming with her. Neve glanced at her clothes again as she rode the elevator down towards the building’s front entryway. She really wished she’d gotten changed.

Alba was standing alone, illuminated by the building’s lights when Neve reached the sleek glass doors that were slightly at odds with the rest of the building’s Tudor-inspired façade. Sheglanced around, unable to locate Zainab, as she opened the door to let Alba in.

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