That’s why I needed tonight and our soft launch to our friends. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. Like the noise in my head was too loud and cluttered for me to make sense of things. Lily hadn’t suggested we meet her friends yet either, so there was that. I was trying not to get too in my head about it that she hadn’t made plans for it yet. But tonight was an important step for us, and for me. Did we fitin the world together? Or were we a holiday romance that would fizzle out at the first signs of real life?
Lily came through the door in exactly the same clothes as she’d been wearing on TV and which she’d left in this morning. It was like seeing a celebrity off the television in real life.
Her eyebrows lifted the moment she spotted me. She even had a sexy walk, there was no other way to describe it. She kissed me without saying anything. It was just a peck on the lips, but she had this way of lingering for a second longer than necessary that made me want more. Her breath tasted of alcohol though, which I hadn’t expected. When had she gone for a drink?
“Hey, you,” she said, her eyes smouldering.
I leaned towards her. “You did great today.”
Lily’s smile reached her eyes. “Thanks. I really enjoyed it.”
“How are you feeling about this?”
She held my eyes now. I saw no hesitation in hers. “More than ready.”
I’d told everyone by text that Lily and I were dating. Everyone was happy about it. I still wondered how they were going to be in person. They all knew how heartbroken I’d been not that long ago. Did they really approve of me being with Lily? Or were they worried that she was dangerous given her celebrity status or something? All I knew was that I wanted their support and I wanted to explore this new relationship with Lily.
Our friends arrived and drifted into our corner of the pub. One side of the table had an L-shaped seat built into the corner of the wall and the other side had a number of small circular stools. The pub was busy but we still had plenty of space.
I introduced Oscar and Jacob to Lily. Lily got a round of drinks in for everyone.
Oscar and Jacob both nodded in approval at Lily when she left for the bar.
Bouchra and Kaira were looking across the table at me like proud parents.
Nell was texting someone, glancing up occasionally.
“Congratulations, Rona,” Vicky said. “Lily’s a keeper. I hope you treat her right!”
“I hope you said that to Lily, too,” Mathilde said.
“Oh I did. I sent her a big email warning her not to break Rona’s heart. After what she’s been through, I’m not taking any chances.”
“Guys,” I said, interjecting. “You don’t need to worry. We’re great.”
“It’s true. I’ve hardly heard from her in over a month,” Oscar said, pouting slightly. “Don’t forget your pals when you get a new fuck-friend, Rona. It’s friendship 101.”
Everyone was looking at me. I felt cornered, literally and emotionally.
Lily came back with a tray full of pints of beer.
Thankfully, people picked up their conversations, and it shouldn’t have been obvious to Lily we were all dissecting our relationship.
I watched as she smiled and laughed, and took up a stool beside Oscar and Jacob, besotted by everything about her.
“I haven’t seen you much lately either,” Nell said, beside me, following my gaze.
I had been neglecting her. I felt terrible about it. “I’m sorry. It’s been very intense.”
Nell nodded. “It’s okay. I knew you were busy.”
“No, it’s not. I should have kept in touch more. I just disappeared and that sucks. But I’m back now.”
“You’re resurfacing from your lesbian sex den. I get it.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“You two are like magnets around each other. The sexual energy is radiating off you both like fire.”
