Page 12 of Finally Loved

Was it reasonable to discuss someone else’s breakup with your friends? Maybe Neve didn’t want everyone knowing about her business. She had been deeply devastated, and somewhat mortified, to find herself crying on a stranger. If Alba had to guess, she’d assume Neve liked her privacy. But it wasn’t as though Zainab even knew who she was, or like they were ever going to meet. So, maybe it was fine?

Alba sucked in a deep breath. “She’d just been broken up with.”

Zainab looked away, considering. “At the mall?”

“Yep.”

“Isn’t that something only teenagers do?”

“You’d think so, but no. Apparently, there are full-grown women out there, just breaking up with their girlfriends in the middle of the mall.”

“Weird.”

“Indeed.”

“So, she gets broken up with in the most teenage place her ex could have picked, and you sweep in like her knight in shining armor, and now you’re wondering why she hasn’t called you?”

“I don’t like the person you think I am,” Alba said, slightly petulant.

Zainab laughed. “Don’t worry, it’s thought with love.”

“I did not sweep in like some knight, and I am not expecting her to call. We didn’t even exchange numbers.”

“Restrained. I’m proud of you, buddy.”

“Never call me that again.”

“Sure thing, pal.”

“Or that.”

“So, you’re just pining after someone you met once and will never see again?”

“I’m notpining. I’m just worried about her.” Alba began to get out of the car, unsure whether it was her hunger or her need to be further away from the conversation that drove her forward. “Wouldn’t you be if you’d met someone in their darkest moment and then just left them on their own?”

“You just left her there alone? After she’d been dumped?” Zainab shot her a wild look over the roof of the car.

“No, of course not. I drove her home. But that’s still leaving someone alone while they’re down.”

“Maybe she has roommates.”

“Yeah, maybe…”

“Also, maybe a touch presumptuous to assume that was her darkest moment.”

“You’re telling me that wouldn’t make your list?”

“I mean, it would, but you never know what a stranger’s been through.”

Alba rolled her eyes. “Hm. Always so exacting.”

“Indeed.” She didn’t sound remotely chagrined. If anything, she sounded proud, which felt right.

“So, yeah, that’s the story. Sad, dumped woman I don’t know, but who I’m worried about because I’m a nice person.”

“Which is why you’re buying me lunch at… whatever this place is.” She looked at the café Alba had brought them to. “How’d you even find this place? It’s not like it’s on your usual routes.”

Alba suppressed a wince. “Oh, just… recommendation from a friend.”

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