Page 30 of It Was Always You

He slipped his hands into her hair, stroking his thumbs over her cheeks. ‘Of course I do. Is there something you need to tell me?’

‘No, everything’s fine. It’s nothing… Oh, Lily found a flat though.’ She changed the subject and Adam knew that’s what she was doing but decided not to push her further.

‘Oh, great. When does she move in?’

She whispered loudly, ‘Adam! You can’t ask things like that.’

He chuckled. ‘What? Why? I’m just interested.’

Eve glanced over her shoulder and then back to Adam. ‘Yes, well, I don’t want her feeling like she has to leave if she’s not ready.’

He chewed his lip before speaking. ‘Why? What makes you think she’s not ready? What has she said?’

She sighed. ‘She hasn’t said anything, Adam. I just… Well, I don’t know, but I just think things are harder for her than she’s letting on, that’s all.’

Adam wondered what had been said while they were out. Clearly something had. ‘Should I talk to her?’

Eve gasped and shook her head. ‘No! God, no. That’s the last thing she needs right now. Just let her be and if she wants to talk, she’ll talk. Just don’t pressure her about moving out, okay?’

Adam rested his forehead on Eve’s. ‘I wasn’t going to, sweetheart, but you’re worrying me now.’

She placed her hands on his chest. ‘No need for worry. Just… I don’t know… don’t be your usual brash self around her, okay?’

Adam sulkily stuck out his bottom lip. ‘Aww, you’re spoiling all my fun. But okay, I won’t.’ He kissed her again, still feeling puzzled.

Lily lay on the bed in the room she was borrowing at Adam and Eve’s home. The way Eve had looked at her when they were at the coffee house preyed on her mind.

She knew.

Something told Lily that Eve had seen right through her, and now Lily felt, more than ever, that she had to leave as soon as possible. She had to get out of there. How could she possibly stay now? Okay, so nothing had been confirmed, but the knowing look in Eve’s eyes…

What if she says something to Adam? Shit! No, no, surely she wouldn’t. And what if she starts to act differently around me? Oh, nooo. This is not good, Lily. Not good.

She wanted things to remain as they were and was terrified of awkwardness. The thought of Eve being upset with her made her heart sink and her stomach knot. There was a gentle knock on the door.

‘Come in,’ her voice croaked.

‘Hey, are you okay?’ Eve asked as she pushed the door open.

Lily sat upright. ‘Yeah, yeah, everything’s fine. Just a bit bushed still, I suppose.’ She forced a smile.

‘Look, Lily, you don’t have to move out right away, you know? Really, you don’t. You and Adam have been best friends for so long it’s like having part of the family staying with us. I don’t want you to feel⁠—’

‘Honestly, Eve, it’s fine. Like I said before, you guys need your space, and I really do need mine, too. It’ll do me good to get sorted somewhere, and then I can really start looking for work in earnest. I’m fine, so please stop worrying. I hate that I’m causing you to worry.’

Eve bit her lip and nodded and seemed to hesitate before speaking again. ‘Lily… erm…’

Lily’s heart pounded in her chest and she gulped. ‘What is it?’

Eve smiled and shook her head. ‘It’s… it’s nothing. Dinner’s ready.’

‘Okay, I’ll be right down.’

Eve turned to leave but paused and looked back towards Lily. ‘I consider you my best friend, too, Lily.’ Her voice was just above a whisper. Lily swallowed hard and opened her mouth to speak but no words came.

Eve left the room and closed the door.

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