Page 47 of Finally Loved

“Maybe I’m just worried about how it is that Neve somehow likes you back. What could such a soft, sweet person like her be doing hanging out with you?”

“Oh, it’s not a prerequisite to be like me to appreciate all that I bring to your life. As I’m sure you must be aware.”

“Insufferable.”

The waiter arrived back at their table with three boxes of food bagged up together and Alba led the charge on paying and getting out of there as quickly as possible. She slid into the passenger seat, grateful that Zainab was the one driving them to Neve’s place. It had already taken longer than she’d have liked to get their food. She was more worried about Neve with every minute that passed. If she’d been the one driving, she could only imagine she’d have been tempted to speed in her desperation to reach Neve and let her know she wasn’t alone.

Zainab, however, wasn’t quite as worried as Alba. Concerned, but in control of her driving. She managed to get them there quickly enough, but it felt like an eternity for Alba.

As soon as Zainab pulled over in Neve’s parking lot, Alba launched herself out of the car, thanking Zainab and taking the two portions of food she’d ordered for herself and Neve. She hadn’t thought twice about it even though she had no idea whether Neve might have already eaten. She’d hazard not given how worried Neve had been, but it didn’t matter if she had. All that mattered was letting her know people cared and wanted to look after her in a way that felt safe and considered.

Neve looked edgy in her car, watching Alba walk towards her, her eyes only flickering back to Zainab’s car once Alba was sliding into her passenger seat and Zainab—satisfied that Alba and Neve were safe—drove away.

“You were out with Zainab?” Neve asked, slightly panicked.

“Just grabbing some food.” She held up the bag. “I brought you some too.”

“Oh.” She stared at the bag. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. You didn’t need to do that. You can call Zainab back and go eat with her.”

“That’s not necessary. She assures me she knows how to feed herself.”

Neve’s eyes went wide. “I wasn’t trying to imply that—”

Alba laughed. “I know. Don’t worry. Zainab just thinks she’s funny.”

Alba looked Neve over. She looked exhausted. Honestly, worse than when they’d first met. Alba could understand that. Being dumped in a Best Buy was horrid, but was it ever really going to compare to a devastating argument with her best friend?

Alba had been part of more than enough breakups to know they stung, but nothing hurt like losing a close friend.

She wondered if it might be different with a long-term relationship, but, since she didn’t have a lot of experience of that, and none that hurt worse than losing a friend, she didn’t think about it for too long.

While placing the bag of food in the back footwell, she reached for Neve with her free hand, pulling her into a hug over the center console. “Sorry it took so long to get here.”

Neve shook her head into Alba’s shoulder, her breathing shaky. “I appreciate you coming at all. I’m sorry for interrupting your evening.”

“You didn’t.”

She let out something between a little sob and a laugh. “Objectively, I did.”

“This isn’t a court of law. You don’t need to go allobjectivelyon me.”

Neve groaned, the sound muffled by her shaky breath and Alba’s shoulder, but she was clearly a little amused, and Alba would take that. She’d take anything just to make Neve’s day a little better.

She held Neve there, in the dark of the car, for as long as Neve needed, refusing to be the first to let go. When Neve did eventually pull back, Alba gestured out the window. “Do you want to get out of here?”

Neve looked sadly up at her building. “Yeah, but I don’t think I can…” She trailed off, looking at the steering wheel.

If Alba had thought about it, she’d probably have guessed Neve was in no state to drive, but, after their previous conversation, she had no interest in presuming Neve wanted her to do the driving.

She reached over to brush Neve’s damp hair out of her face—she’d obviously cried a lot tonight. “Want me to drive?”

Neve shot her a fearful look but nodded. “I don’t even know where to go.”

Alba smiled. “I know a place.”

They swapped seats and, as promised, Alba did know a place. She could have simply taken Alba to her apartment, knowing that Zainab would have been fine with it and that they’d have had privacy in Alba’s room—or simply sitting in the car outside—but she wanted something different for Neve tonight. She deservedsomethingin this day to be good.

Neve didn’t ask questions about where they were going, but, as they drove, she did tell Alba what had happened with Charlie, leaving Alba equal parts confused and angry. Things had been fine while Charlie hated her—seemingly for no reason—but hurting Neve so much was unacceptable. And Alba couldn’t even figure out the reason for it. The whole thing just felt callous.

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