Debra guided Billie towards the couch, and Billie went with her without thinking too much about it. That alone felt like progress. The moment they were sitting side by side, Debra immediately angled her body towards Billie as though she’d been drawn in by instinct. Billie then did something she’d neveronceallowed herself to do with ease in someone else’s home. She threaded their fingers together and brought Debra’s hand into her lap.
“Thank you for the flowers. I’ll put them in some water when I see Maeve out.” Debra leaned in and kissed Billie’s cheek, lighting her up in ways she never knew possible.
“You’re welcome.”
Maeve watched them, her expression soft in a way Billie noticed, but didn’t fear.
“So,” Maeve said, settling back into the armchair. “Billie Brown.”
Billie smiled. “That’s me.Allegedly.”
“You don’tquitematch what I expected.” Maeve tilted her head. “Huh.”
“Do you mean because I’m not currently wearing a three-piece suit and emotionally unavailable?”
Debra snorted beside Billie.
Maeve grinned. “Something like that.”
Billie relaxed back into the couch, fully comfortable now, and squeezed Debra’s hand. “Yeah, well, I left that version at work.”
Debra glanced at Billie, almost stunned and still getting used to the fact that Billie could say things like that out loud.
“You’re very…normal,” Maeve added.
“I’m extremely normal.” Billie nodded slowly. She wasn’t sure what normal meant, but she was certain she fit into it these days. “I watch TV. I order takeaway. I overthink. I’m a delight.”
Debra rested her head on Billie’s shoulder and sighed. “Youarea delight.”
Billie felt her chest constrict at the praise, but she didn’t flinch away from it. She just turned her head and met Debra’s gaze. “You’re looking at me like you’re proud of me.”
“I am proud of you.”
Billie felt Maeve watching them both, but she didn’t care. If she’d learned anything recently, it was that she had to be brave if she wanted to be happy. “You’re adorable,” Billie whispered as she dipped her head towards Debra’s ear. “When you’re clothed and not seducing me, anyway.”
Maeve cleared her throat, thankfully reminding Billie that they had company. “Alright.”
Debra narrowed her eyes. “Alright, what?”
Maeve raised her cup in Billie’s direction. “Alright. I approve.”
“Maeve—”
Billie cut in smoothly, amused by just how bold Debra’s best friend was. “That’s generous of you. Thank you for your approval.”
“I’m averygenerous person.”
Billie turned to Debra again. “Is she always like this?”
“Yes,” Debra muttered. “Unfortunately.”
“I like her.”
Debra regarded her with a smile so huge that it lit the entire room up. “You do?”
Billie shrugged. “She loves you. I can tell. That’s a green flag in my book.” She tightened her fingers around Debra’s hand and stayed right where she was…on the couch, in Debra’s home, with Debra’s body practically holding her in place. “We should all go out for dinner one night.”
“I’m in!” Maeve rose and carried her cup to the sink. “It’ll make a nice change talkingtoyou rather thanaboutyou.”
