Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Billie stood in Debra’s doorway with a bunch of flowers in one hand and a grin on her face, already amused at herself for being here.
She wasn’t meant to be. Not until later, anyway, as planned this morning.
Instead, she’d found herself at work, unable to concentrate, craving to be here with Debra.
She’d checked the schedule, decided that Nina could take care of the rest of the day, and walked straight out the door while shouting something about errands that would take her to the end of the day.
She’d then rushed home to change, stopped by the florist on the way over, and now she was standing there…at Debra’s door, aching to reach out and touch those beautiful lips. “Hey.”
“H-hi,” Debra said with one of those gorgeous smiles. “You’re very early.”
“I know. I’m aware of time. Vaguely.”
Billie glanced over Debra’s shoulder to the hallway behind her. That was when she saw a second pair of shoes and a coat tossed over a chair.
And then she heard a voice from inside.
“Well? Is it her?”
Billie lifted a brow as her eyes landed back on Debra. “Is it who?”
“Sorry.” Debra cleared her throat. “My best friend is here. Maeve.”
“I see.” Billie wasn’t sure what she should do now. She’d come here with the plan of Debra being alone, but she wasn’t, and Billie wasn’t used to walking in on two best friends who were likely to be discussing her. “You have company.”
“I do. Unexpected company.”
“I, um…I picked these up for you.” Billie held out the flowers in her hand and smiled. “I’ll come back later.”
“Oh, I don’t think so.” Debra reached for the flowers and Billie’s hand and tugged her gently over the threshold.
“Debra…”
Debra closed the door and kept hold of her hand. “You’re not coming back later. You’re here now.”
Billie swallowed. Debra telling her what to do was causing a reaction she hadn’t anticipated.
“Is that okay?” Debra asked. “Maeve would love to meet you.”
“Y-yeah. That’s fine.” Billie wasn’t entirely sure she was right, she didn’t usually meet other people’s best friends, but she guessed now was as good a time as any.
She didn’t plan to go anywhere, so it made sense to meet Maeve now, instead of down the line.
For once, she was jumping in headfirst. “Well, come on then. What are we waiting for?”
Debra gave Billie’s hand a squeeze and led her inside.
Maeve stood in the living room with a cup of coffee in her hand, dressed casually, watching Billie like someone’s best friend likely would.
Especially if that best friend had been told about Billie’s back and forth to date.
She recognised the look on her face immediately.
Concern, but also curiosity. Maeve was appraising her.
How the tables have turned.
“Well, then,” Maeve said with a dramatic sigh, “she’s actually real.”
Debra rolled her eyes. “Maeve.”
Billie surprised herself by laughing. A warm, genuine sound that belonged to her, not Billie Brown the brand or the high-end tailor. Just…Billie. “Hi.” Billie stepped forward, her hand still firmly in Debra’s. “I’m Billie.”
Maeve lowered her cup to the table and folded her arms across her chest. “I know.”
“Right.” Billie laughed. “Of course you do.”
Debra gave Maeve a pointed look. “Be nice.”
“I am nice.” Maeve scoffed. “I’m lovely, actually.”
Billie cocked her head a little. She was sure Maeve was lovely, Debra wouldn’t tolerate her company if she wasn’t, but Billie could at least break the ice by winding her up a little. “I can’t confirm that yet. I’m going to need a little more than you simply telling me you know who I am.”
Maeve nodded slowly, her eyes narrowed. “Oh, I like you.”
“What?” Debra’s mouth fell open. “Already?”
Maeve waved a hand. “Oh, hush. Don’t be jealous.”
“She’s not wrong.” Billie glanced in Debra’s direction, choosing to tease her too. She couldn’t help it. She was high on life today, and no amount of anything could bring her down. “I do inspire jealousy.”
Debra turned, fully offended. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, come on. You dragged me inside here like someone else was eyeing me up down on the street.”
“Oh, Deb.” Maeve giggled. “You’ve got it bad.”
Debra groaned. “I’m genuinely going to throw you out.”
Billie watched them, that effortless rhythm between two women who’d clearly loved one another for a long time. It was grounding in a way Billie hadn’t expected.
“I didn’t mean to gatecrash your afternoon with each other. I’m sorry.” Billie could have continued the fun, but she also knew how important it was for someone to have a moment with their best friend. “I can leave and come back later.”
Debra turned to her fully. “You’re not gatecrashing, and you’re not leaving.”
“O…kay then. I guess I’m staying.”
Maeve smiled and sat down in the armchair, the atmosphere exactly what Billie hoped it would be when this day eventually arrived.
Sure, she thought she’d have more time to prepare herself, but sometimes preparation went against her.
She would have only sat at home, deep in her head, worrying about what Maeve thought of her.
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 never once allowed 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’t quite match 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. “You are a 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 a very generous 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 talking to you rather than about you.”
Billie laughed and slouched into the couch. “Yeah, I much prefer being a part of the conversation instead of the conversation.”
As Billie allowed the silence to envelop her, Debra’s heat pressed to her side, she realised with a strange sense of peace that nothing with Debra was scary. If anything, she felt more alive now that someone else had witnessed what they were beginning to share.
I’m so going to fall hard for this woman.
Billie hadn’t realised just how much she’d been holding herself together until Maeve had left.
The second the door had clicked shut behind her, Debra’s flat seemed to exhale and calm in an instant.
That noise of another presence and the awareness of another pair of eyes on her had evaporated, leaving only the sound of rush hour London beyond the window and the low, steady rhythm of Debra’s breathing as she’d moved back into Billie’s space and curled up beside her on the couch.
Debra hadn’t said anything since she’d seen Maeve out. She’d simply strolled back into the room, kicked off her shoes, then turned and offered Billie a look that made everything within her relax. It was one of those looks that reminded Billie she was doing everything right at the moment.
Billie had simply held out a hand, encouraged Debra closer, and pulled her down onto the couch beside her. That pleased little sigh Debra had exhaled melted Billie, a confirmation that she was more than welcome here this afternoon.
“Comfy?” Debra murmured as she placed her hand over Billie’s, where it rested around her waist.
“Mm. Very.”