Page 22 of Paradise Pride

“You don’t know that. You weren’t there. Iknowhe’s hiding something. He was so…shifty.” Kim wiped her tears and looked Meghan over. “You look nice. Are you going somewhere?”

“No.” Meghan winced at another knock, this one playful and rhythmic like the beat to a song.

“Liar. Who’s that?” Kim got up to open the door. “Oh, hey, Florence.” She ran a hand through her hair and wiped her cheeks again. “Did you come to take Meghan out on a date?”

Despite Kim’s distress, Meghan could have killed her in that moment, and Florence looked equally mortified. “It’s not a date,” Meghan said before Florence had the chance to answer.

“Ehm, no, it’s not. I just came to hang here, actually,” Florence stammered, holding up the bottle of wine she’d brought. Her other hand was behind her back, like she was hiding something. “But I see you two are in the middle of something. I can come back another time.”

“No, please come in.” Kim opened the door wider.

“Seriously, it’s fine.” Florence handed Kim the bottle of wine and stepped back. “Have this. You look like you could do with a drink.”

“Wait!” Meghan said and slipped into the hallway after Florence. “Kim, give me a moment, I’ll be right back.” She closed the door behind her. It was silly to be so secretive, but she didn’t feel comfortable talking to Florence in front of Kim. “I’m sorry about this. I didn’t know she was going to be here. There was some trouble in paradise.”

“Oh. I thought you’d had a fight.”

“No, everything is fine between Kim and me. She’s just upset.”

“Okay. Then you should be there for her.” Florence gave her a reassuring smile, but there was also a hint of disappointment in her expression. “I’ll see you tomorrow? Can I have your number so we can meet somewhere?”

“Yes, of course.” Meghan took Florence’s phone and entered her number. “Message me so I have yours.”

Florence struggled as she held her phone and typed with one hand. “Already done. I’m glad you’re not alone tonight.” She turned in an unnatural way and stood against the hallway wall, waiting for Meghan to return to her room.

“What’s that behind your back?” Meghan stepped closer and tried to see behind Florence, but she pressed herself firmer against the wall.

“Nothing.”

“Oh, come on. Let me see.” She put her arms around Florence’s waist, pulled her towards her and smiled when she spotted the flowers. “Aww… Were those for me?”

Florence grinned sheepishly. “I took them from the big bouquet in the entrance hall. They’re replacing them tomorrow, so I figured I might as well take some for you.” She opened the bag slung over her shoulder and took out a pint glass. “But Kim’s here, and I wasn’t sure you’d be comfortable with me bringing flowers, and—”

“I love them,” Meghan interrupted her as she took the flowers and the glass. She’d let go of Florence, but they were still standing close together. Much closer than she would with a friend. Their bodies almost touched, and the air hung thick between them. She swallowed hard. “Thank you. That’s very sweet.” She felt warm and giddy and disappointed they wouldn’t be able to spend the night together, but she couldn’t tell Florence that…could she?

“Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman.” Florence placed a hand on Meghan’s shoulder and softly kissed her cheek before she turned away. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said. “I hope Kim will be okay.”

Meghan stared after her until she’d rounded the corner, then looked at the flowers she was holding. They were white roses mixed with greenery, and Florence had tied a white ribbon around them. Meghan’s cheek was burning where Florence had kissed her, and she felt clammy and out of sorts as she knocked on the door for Kim to let her back in.

Kim stared at the flowers, which wasn’t a bad thing, Meghan decided. It might take her mind off her boyfriend troubles for a while.

“Yousodressed up for her!” Kim’s tone wasn’t accusing; it was more of a statement. “Andshe brought you flowers. Are you sure you don’t fancy her? She’s definitely into you. There’s no doubt about that.”

“I didn’t dress up. I had a shower and put on a fresh change of clothes. There’s a difference.” Meghan went into the bathroom where she checked her reflection in the mirror while she filled the pint glass. She looked flustered.

“I don’t buy that.” Kim followed her and stood in the doorway. “Fuck. Did I just ruin your night? Were you planning on…?”

“No! No, you’re imagining things.” Meghan didn’t dare admit she’d been hoping for some steamy action with Florence tonight, not even to her best friend. It was something she had to explore by herself before she’d be able to talk about it. She put the flowers in the glass, opened the bottle of wine and filled two plastic cups. “Want to sit outside?”

“Yeah.” Kim’s gaze shifted to her phone when it lit up. “Andres is calling me.”

“Then pick up.”

“I don’t know. If I do, I let him get away with his shifty behaviour.”

“What if he wants to explain himself? What if it was nothing?” Meghan headed out to the balcony with her glass and the bottle. “Take the call. I’ll give you privacy,” she said, sliding the doors closed behind her.

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