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I freeze when her lips connect with mine in a soft kiss, the light caress of our lips sending electricity through my whole body. Leaning forward, I embrace her touch, the way her other hand snakes around my side and pulls me into her. My hands go to her shoulders as I lean into the kiss. Our tongues tangle back and forth and my heart soars.
I’ve missed this, the feeling of being close to Bex, the connection that exists between us. I’ve missed her softness and the way she responds to my own caresses. The chemistry between us has always been electric, but it’s also been uncontrollable. There’s nothing to help ground us and it’s a stark reminder of the heartache I’ve been through and the hurt that she caused.
But when I pull away from Bex, I open my eyes to find Alvie smirking over her shoulder, completely unaware of my internal shift. His smugness is both adorable and annoying.
“I didn’t get my daily Milkshake picture.” I pout teasingly in my attempt to distract myself from my more depressing thoughts, the alcohol having made me braver than I was a few hours ago.
“Wait . . . how did you know we got a dog?” Bex says with her hand still on my waist. She turns back to Alvie who blushes. “Did you say daily?”
“We’ve been keeping in touch,” Alvie confesses. “I knew the Milkshake photos would be appreciated.”
“Daily photos?” Bex squeaks.
“You said you didn’t want to talk about it,” he scolds.
Suddenly, it’s like I’m not even there. They’re lost in their own conversation, tension thick between them.
“About it, Alvie. The hospital. You don’t just hide something like this from your wife,” Bex bites out.
“I’m allowed to have friends, Bex,” he counters, rolling his eyes.
“Yes. Of course you are. But secret friends?”
“It’s no secret, Bex. Everyone else knows we’re friends. You do too. But you said you didn’t want to talk about Nay, and I respected that.”
“I’m just gonna . . . ,” I say, trying to crawl my way out of the booth and away from their spat and the uncomfortable tension building in my chest.
“No, please don’t go,” Alvie pleads, reaching for my shoulder as I crawl on the bench seat.
My jaw drops at the sudden touch and the feel of his rough hand on my skin.
“Alvie’s right. Don’t go. We should probably talk about everything.” Bex pauses. “I don’t like how we left things.”
I scoff, settling back on my knees and looking back at them.
“No, really. I feel bad and I want to apologize. I just don’t know how,” she admits.
“Sorry,” Alvie says quietly, which makes Bex turn to face him. “You start with I’m sorry.”
It’s like Bex steels herself when she turns back to face me, but Alvie interrupts.
“Wanna go outside for a bit? It’s a really nice night,” he suggests.
“Yes. That sounds great,” Bex replies. “Naomi?”
I nod and follow them out to the balcony, where there’s privacy and more seating. The thump of the music fades into the background as the doors close behind us. Alvie goes over to one of the couches and motions for us to join him.
Bex sits next to him on the small sofa. When I start walking past them toward the chair at the end, Alvie reaches out and grabs me by the waist and pulls me down into his lap so I can see them both equally.
“You look like you’ve been caught, bunny,” he says, grinning at me.
“You’re looking at me like I’m prey, Alvie.” I chuckle.
“I won’t deny that I want you, Nay. I won’t ever do that to myself again,” he reassures before placing a kiss behind my ear. “Or you.”
I melt into his hold at the small gesture, and I let my eyes close to soak in the peace that rolls through me at his touch.
“So . . . ,” Bex interrupts.
