Alone by E J Noyes

Author:E J Noyes [Noyes, E J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642470475
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2019-04-09T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

After dinner, she showers while I do the dishes. Then we swap and she dries them while I shower. This back-and-forth, the way we cook and do chores together, is seamless and organic. Would Liv and I be the same out there, if we’d met in a bar or been introduced by friends? If I’d bumped into her on the street, scattering her groceries to the sidewalk? An awkward first meeting after matching on a dating app? I’ll never know.

Liv shakes her head when I offer another glass of wine, and suddenly I don’t want any more either. I drain the last mouthful of mine and hold out my hand for her empty glass. She smiles her thanks and passes it up to me. Her forefinger strokes mine, the touch sending a light burn over my skin. Suddenly it’s very important that I wash the wineglasses right now instead of leaving them for the morning the way we usually do. I leave Liv on the couch with a vague statement letting her know I’ll be back in just a minute.

“What’re you running ’way from?” Heather wonders idly. She sounds like she’s been drinking. What day is it? Thursday and three-dollar cocktails at Mary’s. I’ve never known anyone who could slam four mojitos in her first hour and still be standing—and talking—the way Heather can. “You like her. Big deal. Insta-love is totally a thing, Celeste. Or insta-lust, at least.”

“Celeste?” Olivia’s behind me, her hand on my shoulder a lead weight I can’t shake off.

“Yes?”

“You’ve been staring at the sink for three minutes.”

“Oh.”

“Turn around,” she says softly.

Reluctantly, I comply, but move away from her to stand next to the refrigerator. I can’t meet her eyes. I’m too afraid of what I might see in them—the soft understanding that makes something inside me twist and break and mend itself all at once.

“Look at me. Please.” She keeps telling me to look at her. Doesn’t she know how hard it is when I always feel so off-balance around her?

I raise my eyes to hers, and they are absent of any pity or even that knowing expression I’d expected. Instead, they are bright. Almost feverish. Her hand cups my cheek. “I’m leaving the morning after tomorrow.”

“I know,” I mutter. Why does she have to bring it up? Why is she reminding me of the worst thing in my life right now? I press myself against the refrigerator door, my hands behind me flat against the cool stainless surface. She follows me and she’s so close there’s no room to move or think or breathe.

“Not even two full days. There’s not enough time,” she says hoarsely, desperately. Liv’s thumb brushes softly over my upper lip, then traces the curve of my mouth. Her soft exhalation seems almost reverential. “You’re so beautiful, Celeste. Can I kiss you?”

The question lingers between us like a wisp of smoke. I let it solidify into something real then pluck it from the air and draw it close where I can examine it.

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