Page 74 of Only Ever You

“I meanthat I swear he’s flirting.” She was sure Bash would’ve kissed her in his “if this were a book” scenario earlier, when he’d had her safely pinned between his body and the hedge. Bringing up that they’d almost been crushed today wasn’t a good idea with El’s track record for worrying, so Faye kept how Bash had potentially saved her life to herself.

“He’s been flirting with you for ten years, Faye, you’re just too daft to see it.”

The mirror reflected how hard she rolled her eyes. “He’s not attracted to me. He’s never even seen me in anything less than a swimming costume covered in a dress. There’s nothing here for him to be attracted to.”

“He’s definitely thought about it though. And stop it, you’re gorgeous. I’d kill for your figure at this point.”

Faye watched the air leave her lungs as her chest deflated and fogged up the mirror glass.

“Your smile is the brightest one I know and you’re a creative genius,” El praised. “You built your bakery from nothing. And you care so much about others. There is so much to be attracted to, and if Bash was genuine then he’d care more about those things than how clear your skin is or how thick your thighs are.”

“Theyarethick … ” Faye mumbled, peeking down past the towel-dress.

“All the more to squeeze him with when he finally gets down there.”

“Ellie! Oh my god—” Her cheeks started sweating off the moisturiser she’d just applied. “I’m ending this. I’ve got half an hour before the party that’s happening here and I still need to do my hair and make up.”

She shifted the towel tucked under her armpits – the knot had officially come undone and hung onto her breasts by sheer magic at this point.

“Okay. I’ll text you tomorrow. Merry Christmas, Faye. Go get your man.”

Faye eyed the phone beside her – Ellie never gave up her taunts about Bash so amicably.

“Merry Christmas.” She flattened her tone. “And he’s not my man.”

“Not yet anyway.”

There it is.

Ellie ended the call before Faye could say anything else.

Ruffling a towel over her hair, she hung it up before going back to the bedroom. She hadn’t wanted her dress for the much anticipated Phillips-Dumont Christmas Eve party to get damp from the humidity of her shower, so she left it unfolded on the bed. Bash told her to bring something ‘fancy’ to wear just in case they were roped into going to a party – though Faye suspected he’d known they’d end up at one anyway.

The knickers and lacy bra she’d set out were the only set that went seamlessly beneath the figure-hugging dress she’d chosen, and they were more racy than maybe was appropriate for a family Christmas party.

Eh.What did it matter? Only she would be seeing them.

Faye opened the towel from the front to rearrange it and?—

“Oh! Gheez?—”

“Bash!” she shrieked at the open bedroom door.

“Sorry! Sorry—” Frozen five feet away, Bash threw his hands up like that would help the situation. “I didn’t … I?—”

“You didn’t knock!” Heart racing, Faye hugged the towel to her body as tightly as it would go. Everything inside of her was on fire.

“I didn’tthink.” Eyes averted, Bash sounded desperate, face flush like he was four glasses of wine into the evening already.Oh dear doughnuts –how long had he been there?

Faye spluttered nothing that made much sense. This was all so wrong. You’re not supposed to flash yourbest friend.

“I’m so sorry,” Bash pleaded again. His scrunched up face was tortured and bright like Santa’s red suit as he kept his eyes squeezed closed. “Would this be easier if I told you you look great, or that I didn’t see anything?”

“I don’t know,” Faye stressed. She was too panicked to worry about how her self-confidence felt about this right now. Her pulse tapped away under the skin of her throat. “Why are you still here?”

“I’m not. I’m leaving now.” Bash’s fingers gripped the brass handle of the door and it resolutely clicked shut behind him.

The bedroom was left in silence.

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