Grabbing the hand, I drag it over to me, causing Maya to almost spill her drink.
“You’re engaged?” I cry. “Oh my god, please tell me I am going to be the most beautiful bridesmaid you ever did see.”
“If you behave,” she giggles. “But not only that. We’re building a house, here in Bewdley!”
We both grab each other's hands andscream. This is the best fucking news I have heard in way too long. I’m so happy, I could stand up right here and dance. Finally, I'm getting her back.
She goes into all the details of how he did it, how romantic it was, and how they're going to make the most amazing home. And all I do is sit and listen to every word.
“So, tell me about you. Have you got any gossip for me?” she asks.
“Erm, well. Kind of,” I trail off, unsure how to tell her. “Do you remember Luke? Oh, I mean, Dr Smyth?”
“Of course I bloody do. I feel like I've seen him more than you this year,” she laughs, then eyes me sceptically. “What about him?”
“We’ve kind of been dating for a little while,” I say when she interrupts.
“I knew it! I had a feeling the last time I saw you two together. He is gorgeous, Fallon. Is he as nice as he seems?” She edges forward on her seat, excitement radiating from her.
“Oh, Maymay. He is even nicer than you could possibly imagine. And sexy. And funny. And a God in the bedroom.”
“Ahh, Fallon. You love him, don’t you?” She coos.
The word love has my stomach doing front flips. Do I? Maybe I'm starting to. Would it be such a bad idea if I were? I’ve already agreed to being in a relationship.
“Not yet,” is all I say. “But, I am officially his girlfriend.”
“What!” she jumps from her seat, doing her own little happy dance. “This is amazing. I love this for you. But Fal, how the hell have you managed to keep this from me for so long?”
She actually looks disappointed now. What does she expect? She hasn’t been here, and she knows I'm not one to brag about this kind of thing. She is the only one who really knows the extent of what I've been through after all.
“I wasn’t ready,” I admit.
“Oh, babe, you know you could have called me, don’t you?” She asks, her tone taking on the parental sadness she loves to use on me.
“Yes, now stop mothering me,” I force a laugh. “Anyway, I need to know more about the new house, and where my bedroom will be. And how many nieces and nephews am I going to have?”
“For fucks sake, Fal,” she laughs.
But it doesn’t stop her from diving in and telling me all about what it is they have planned. Halfway through, my mind drifts to thoughts of Luke, and if I will ever be ready to want this much of a future with him.
