Debra eyed the TV. “Are you mid-binge?”
“Would you hate me if I said yes?”
“Absolutely not. I’d be impressed.” Debra smiled. “And a tea would be lovely.”
Billie moved into the kitchen, grateful for the small task. When she turned back, Debra had settled on the couch. Billie didn’t know what she’d expected, but it wasn’t this. It wasn’t Debra sitting comfortably rather than anxiously, with one leg tucked beneath her. The sight of it brightened Billie for the tiniest moment, and then that sadness settled inside her again. She’d had the opportunity here, and she’d ruined it.
She’s here as a friend. Be grateful.
Billie was, she was beyond grateful, but she was still allowed to remind herself of what she’d lost. She carried two cups across the room and handed one to Debra. Their fingers brushed, but Billie suppressed what she knew was coming. The spark, that…jolt. Instead, she just let a sliver of sensation exist.
“Sorry about the place, it’s a bit of a mess.”
Debra looked around and lifted her brows. “Seriously? You’d call this a mess?”
“Well, by my usual standards, yes.” Billie brought her cup into her lap as she sat down and crossed her legs under her. “It’s not that I’m not happy to see you, of course I am, but…whyareyou here, Debra?”
“I stopped by the shop before…”
Billie’s brows drew together. “What for? Is something wrong with your suit?”
“Nothing is wrong with it. It’s beautiful.” Debra sipped her tea. “I guess I just…wanted to see you. I was surprised when Nina said you’d already left for the day.”
Billie nodded slowly. “Yeah, I’ve been changing my hours.”
“Mm. You used to be there constantly.”
“I know.”
“Anyway, I initially hoped I’d catch you, then I realised it was a good thing that I didn’t.”
Billie watched Debra. Considering she’d once known every little mannerism of this woman, she was finding her much harder to read. She gavenothingaway. “Why?”
“Because it meant you were somewhere elseliving.”
Billie wouldn’t call it living exactly, but she understood what Debra was saying. She could have been forthcoming, explaining to Debra that she felt a little lost and wanted to try again, but she couldn’t do it. Debra had Lucille in her life, and Billie justwasn’t that kind of woman. “It was nice seeing you today at the museum.”
“I won’t lie, it was a shock seeing you there. But I’m glad that I did. I’ve been wondering how you’ve been doing.”
“I should have called. Even just to say hi. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Debra said as she turned on the couch a little more. “You had to do what was best for you. I understand that.”
“Maybe, but I still went silent. I thought it was for the best.” Billie lowered her cup to the table and focused back on Debra. “Things have changed a lot for me. I’m dealing with my past and the way I’ve handled things for a long time. I may still be lonely, but I’m not so…controlled anymore, as you can probably see.”
“I do see. I’m proud of you, Billie.”
“Now, enough about me. Tell me about you and Lucille. How’s it going? You looked really happy earlier, and she seems to be good for you.”
“I’m…content.” Debra looked down into her cup. “Lucille is kind and intelligent. She’s easy to be with and doesn’t expect anything from me, you know?”
“Good. That’s good.” Billie reached forward and touched Debra’s knee. “Iamhappy for you, Debra. You deserve to be with someone who is uncomplicated.”
“Yeah.” Debra cleared her throat, as though she was holding something back. Still, Billie wouldn’t pry. Debra’s personal life was exactly that. Personal. “How are things between you and Nina?”
“Professional. As they always should have been.” Billie wouldn’t scold herself for her past decisions; she’d coped the way she saw fit, but her relationship with Nina would remain strictly professional from now on. Nina understood. She had been given a small hint into Billie’s past, and she’d been the model employee ever since. “I don’t expect you to understand my prior relationship with Nina, but when you and I werespending time with one another, I wasn’t sleeping with her. I promise you that, Debra.”
Debra lifted a hand. “It’s all in the past. I have no right to your story, and I have no right to an explanation either. We hadn’t seen one another for weeks when that night happened, so, please, don’t think you have to explain.”
