Page 54 of Finally Loved

Zainab gave her a sweet smile. They weren’t usually so soft with one another but, sometimes, one or both of them needed it. They’d gotten good at knowing those moments instinctively.

It was exactly the kind of friendship Neve deserved. Alba was going to do her best to give it to her.

“She doesn’t need to come on Thursday, just so you know,” Zainab said, clearly talking about Neve. “If it’s too hard, or she’s tired, or… well, for any reason at all. It’s okay. Though, of course, it’s okay if she still wants to come, too. The distraction might be good. Sounds like she could use a few good friends, and you know the group is going to love her.”

Alba wasn’t one for blushing usually, but something about the comment—or maybe Zainab’s tone—had her face feeling hotter than usual. Maybe it was simply the idea of Neve fitting in with them all, of Alba bringing someone so wonderful to the group that they couldn’t help but adore her. As far as Alba was concerned, that was the only appropriate reaction to Neve.

She cleared her throat and took a sip of her drink, hoping the coldness of it would offset her face. “I appreciate you saying that,and I’ll let her know. I honestly can’t say which way she’s going to go, but I’m sure she’ll appreciate knowing she has the choice.”

Zainab’s expression became slightly pensive, as though something Alba said had hit home. Alba hoped she hadn’t given too much away. That was, perhaps, the problem of knowing someone as well as they did—you got the good, but you also got them understanding exactly what you meant without having to spell it out. Usually, that was fine, but, when it came to Neve’s privacy, Alba was going to have to control her own expressions as much as she was controlling the exact words she was saying.

“Do you wanna watch something?” Alba asked, looking for a change of subject.

“Sure. You can choose.” Zainab tossed her the remote.

“Wow. You really are spoiling me tonight.”

“Shush, or I’ll change my mind.”

“I don’t think you will,” Alba said, laughing, her mind still on Neve sleeping soundly in her room.

She put on some mindless show they’d both seen a million times before. After the day everyone seemed to be having, she figured they needed something easy. Though Zainab did seem to be in a better mood now, which Alba was glad of.

Once they’d finished their coffees and their show—though how much either of them was taking in, Alba wasn’t sure—they both stood up at the same time, like dry synchronized swimmers.

Alba laughed as Zainab smirked and shoulder-bumped her. She was ready for her bed and, honestly, ready to be closer to Neve again. She knew she shouldn’t be so clingy, but she didn’t want Neve to feel the slightest bit alone.

“Hey,” Zainab said, stopping Alba as she stepped away.

“Yeah? What’s up?”

Zainab pulled her into a hug. “Nothing.”

Alba smiled, embracing her. “This is kind of a big nothing.”

“Just accept the nice moment rather than being weird about it.”

“That’s kind of my default setting.”

“Trust me, Iknow.” Before she let go, she squeezed Alba a little tighter. “You’re a good friend.”

“Thanks. You too.”

Zainab nodded and released her. “I’m using the bathroom first, though.”

Alba laughed. “I see what’s going on. Sneaky plan all along.”

“Naturally.”

Alba watched Zainab flounce away before she walked softly to her own room. She was going to have to grab her clothes to get changed in the bathroom. Even if it didn’t feel a little weird changing in a room with an unconsenting woman, she still wouldn’t have taken her chances. Knowing today’s luck, she’d try to put her shirt on as pants, trip, stumble into the bed, and accidentally give Neve a black eye.

She wasn’t generally the superstitious type, but on a day like this, she wasn’t taking any chances. Thus, she was relieved when she made it to and from the bathroom in one piece and managed to slip into bed beside Neve without issue.

The only light in the room was the slight moonlight and reflected streetlights. Their apartment was, thankfully, higher than the streetlights in the area, so they weren’t one of the poor apartments contending with lights shining in all night. That, added to the fact that Alba’s room looked out over a parking lot that was sufficiently sized to prevent looking too far into the windows of the building across the lot, always empowered Alba to leave her blinds open overnight. She enjoyed the glimpses of the night it afforded her, and she enjoyed waking up to direct sunlight streaming in.

Now, however, the light that penetrated the room allowed her to examine Neve’s sleeping form. She’d rolled over in hersleep and was facing Alba. Her skin still looked irritated from all of her tears. She’d probably have benefited from some overnight skincare, but her sleep had been the most important thing. Alba had plenty of products she could use in the morning to help out. And, if none of them were suitable, Zainab had even more. Between the two of them, they’d definitely have something Neve could use.

Alba snuggled more fully into her pillow, pulling the covers up. It had been a warm day, but exhaustion and emotions seemed to have made them both chilly.

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