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‘That ought to do it,’ Holly said, running a finger and thumb around her lips to dry them.
‘Ice well and truly shattered.’ Jen’s voice betrayed her, breathless and low. Her core pulsed, every beat of her heart sending a shockwave through her body.
Holly lingered, their feet still intertwined.
Was there something she could say to get a repeat performance? Jen’s mind worked overtime, searching for an excuse. Nothing came fast enough.
‘I didn’t have you down as such a good actress,’ Holly said, still not moving.
Was it in Jen’s imagination or was there something going on here? The air felt heavy between them, like a balloon pregnant with possibly, just waiting to be popped.
‘I’m a woman of many talents,’ Jen replied, fighting the urge to grip Holly’s hips again.
Holly’s eyes traced Jen’s face, settling on her lips, before travelling back to hold her gaze. The room felt tiny and the space between them even smaller. But it could be less. Jen lifted her hand, on a mission to find Holly’s waist, but three hard raps on the door made her freeze.
Holly jumped.
‘Fuck, that will be Chloe,’ Jen said with a frustrated groan. ‘I texted her when you were returning the bikes. Can you get it?’
‘Yeah, sure.’ Holly paused as if to say something, but had second thoughts and walked to the hall.
Jen ran a hand through her hair, mouthing a silent ‘Fuck.’
The door clicked open and Chloe’s voice filled the flat. ‘Where’s Jen? She okay?’
‘She’s fine, she’s in the kitchen.’
Chloe was in the living room before Jen had a chance to think. Everything felt wrong, like she’d forgotten how to stand normally. Suspicion oozed from every pore.
‘Jen, what the hell? You okay?’ Chloe asked, striding to her bestie while dumping her bag on the sofa in a seamless motion.
‘I’m good – my dignity took most of the damage.’
‘I’m going to go,’ Holly chipped in, remaining at the door to the living room. ‘Text me if you need anything, yeah?’
‘Yeah, sure,’ Jen replied, with a smile. But inside it was like a light going out.
Holly grabbed her shoes from the floor and there was that moment again, like her eyes were trying to say something her mouth couldn’t quite muster. ‘Bye, Chloe.’ With the tiniest half-smile she left the room.
‘Bye,’ Chloe said, her eyes unmoving from Jen.
Chloe held her tongue until the front door was definitely closed.
‘Why do I feel like I’m interrupting something?’ Her face was one of intrigue with equal distrust.
Jen shook her head, her cheeks burning hot. ‘What? No. Nothing’s going on. Just ankle stuff.’
Chloe cocked her head, one hand on her hip. ‘Jenevieve Berkley, you’re the worst liar on the planet. Spill.’
