Page 82 of Couple Goals

They are a little nervous at first, Maeve gesturing for a tentative hug, Adriana accepting. But as soon as they’re in each other’s arms, their bodies cling tightly to each other, and they hug like that for a long time.

When they pull away they’re both teary and laughing.

‘God, I’ve missed you so much,’ Adriana sniffles.

‘I’ve missed you too,’ says Maeve. ‘I’m so sorry. For everything.’

‘I’m sorry too,’ Adriana says sincerely. ‘But come on, we have so much to catch up on.’

Maeve nods. ‘What a relief. I got us Tigresses,’ Maeve, gestures to the lurid orange mocktails melting lightly on the table between them.

‘Thanks, Moo.’

They smile at each other and sit down close together in the corner, Adriana flopping onto the soft bench.

‘So, I’m dating Jacob,’ announces Adriana.

Maeve lets out a rare squeal.

‘I mean, you already knew,’ Adriana looks sheepish. ‘And I’m really sorry I didn’t say anything earlier, it really wasn’t something I wanted to keep from you.’

‘I did already know, but it’s still good to hear that you’d like to share. Tell meeverything.’

So Adriana fills her in. Maeve follows the whole story with her usual devoted attention, gasping and laughing in all the right places, but she does hold a respectful hand up when Adriana starts going into a littletoomuch detail about how brilliant their sex is.

‘I approve,’ Maeve grins.‘I don’t know him well yet, obviously, but what I’ve seen so far, I really like him. Obviously he got you here for me.’

‘Yeah, did you guys like, email or something?’ asks Adriana, and Maeve nods.

‘I’m really, really glad you’re happy with him,’ says Maeve.

Adriana’s face broadens into her fullest sunbeam smile. ‘I am,’ she says realising how much she means it. ‘Utterly and deliciously happy with him.’

Maeve sighs contentedly. Then she glances away, hesitating with her cocktail, before taking a big gulp.

‘On the subject of being honest, there’s something I want to tell you too,’ Maeve says, blushing. ‘Umm… You were right.’

‘Of course I was!’ Adriana pauses. ‘Right about what?’

Maeve laughs. ‘Me and Kira. We’ve been… umm… having a thing. Not just rivals but umm… you know… in our one-to-one training sessions we would just… you know… in the locker room…’

Maeve’s cheeks heat a brighter pink than all the pigs around them. Adriana’s jaw literally drops.

‘Okay,’ Adriana says, and downs the rest of her drink. ‘I think we’re going to need some alcohol in these cocktails now!’

Maeve tells her everything, and Adriana squeals and gasps, until finally she sighs with relief and delight at Maeve telling her where they left it last time they saw each other – that they’re going to start dating openly.

‘I can’t believe it,’ says Adriana. ‘I mean, Icanbelieve it, because obviously you guys were gagging over each other the second you saw each other.I totally called it! My flirtation radar is never wrong! Oh my God…’

‘Addy, I really like her,’ Maeve whispers as if she’s still a little bit scared to admit it. ‘Like, really really. We’re actually going on our first official date this weekend and I’m already getting in a state about what to wear.’

Adriana knows what a big deal it is for her friend to say that. She clasps hard at her friend’s hand, and they smile at each other tenderly for a moment.

‘I can’t believe how quickly everything is changing for us.’

Maeve nods and smiles, hugging her friend.

‘I’m really sorry I’ve been a bad friend and not a nice person to be around but I love you so much,’ says Maeve.

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