Page 104 of Vying Girls
‘Only two answers.’
‘Yeah, with notes and addendums and cited sources.’
I turn my face into the pillow so I don’t laugh.
‘I’m going to take your evasiveness as a yes.’
‘Do what you want, Tilda.’
She lets out a breath, the sound full of frustration and resignation.
And my heart’s galloping once more, feeling like it might burst. It’s not so bad in the dark, hidden away from each other. The night’s made for confessions. It cradles them safely, suspends them in the blackness, holding them until morning when we can either acknowledge or ignore them.
‘I’m not saying it’s a bad thing,’ I say after a moment’s silence.
‘What?’
‘I’m just saying—it’s not a bad thing.’
She doesn’t reply to that, and I leave her alone to sort through the evasiveness ofthat.
I put a hand to my racing heart. At least she doesn’t have to worry about me dying in my sleep tonight. Doubt I’ll be getting even a wink of it.
CHAPTER 18
Tilda
Elly’s warmth is all-consuming as she nudges me towards wakefulness. She presses slow kisses into my shoulder, one arm keeping me tucked against her, a leg nestled between my own.
I keep my eyes closed, floating on that sleepy cloud, unable yet to feel my limbs. Anything to prolong this cosy feeling.
‘Is she alive?’ Elly murmurs jokingly.
I smile, scooting back into her. There’s a subtle sense of excitement coursing through me, one I can’t source until she finally says, ‘Happy birthday, babe.’
I hum, turning over to face her. ‘Happy birthday to me.’
‘Twenty years old.’ Elly captures my lips. ‘Big girl.’
‘Yep.’ I reach my arms up and stretch. ‘Feeling it.’
Elly clucks her tongue. ‘Poor granny. Sad you won’t be up for the exercise me and Haz had planned for you today.’
‘Hm? What exercise? Tell me.’
She smirks. ‘Would rather show you. Congrats, by the way.’
‘On what?’
‘Getting Haz to sleep with you. That tattoo.’ She gives a low whistle. ‘I would have dropped my pants too.’
‘I didn’tgetHaz to do anything. That makes me sound like such a guy.’ I slide my hands up her t-shirt, seeking the warmth beneath. ‘Can get one with your name, if you like.’
She shakes her head with a smile. ‘Been there, done that. Didn’t end well.’
I look down her body. ‘You have a matching tattoo?’
‘Mm. That little avocado on my ankle. We both got one. Broke up the next week.’
