Page 6 of Closer than Ever

Anna necked the rest of hers too. It was so cosy and exciting to hang out in Hayley’s room like this, especially with it being all rainy outside. Instead of pouring more whisky into the glasses she picked up the bottle and took a swig. “My instincts are telling me we need to finish this bottle.”

“Woohoo, yes! Go, baby, go!”

Anna passed the bottle to Hayley, feeling bolder and more daring than ever, fired up from the whisky.

Hayley slid her hand off Anna’s knee and took the bottle. She put it to her lips before tipping her head back and letting the amber liquid fall into her mouth. Anna couldn’t look away; her eyes were glued to her beautiful friend. Hayley’s golden hair and luminous skin were so inviting in the dim lighting of the bedroom. It was okay to notice that, right?

Hayley passed the bottle back to her with a funny look in her eyes. “Your turn.”

***

Present day

Sitting across from Hayley in her local pub less than half an hour after meeting her off the train, after all these years, as if no time had passed, was a lot. There was something in the way Hayley held up the whisky glass for a toast and held her eyes that threw Anna off. It reminded her of that night they’d spent drinking from the same bottle. That was such a good night and so long ago. Would they still get on as easily as they had when they were younger?

Anna forced a breath, conscious of how long she was taking to reply. “Cheers.” They tapped their little whisky glasses together and drank.

Hayley stole herself to one side after her sip, her hand on her chest, as if she was about to cough.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes,” Hayley croaked. “I forgot how strong this stuff is. I just need”?she cleared her throat?“to ease into it.”

“There’s no rush. Little sips are what it’s all about.”

Hayley, slightly blushing now, sat back up straight.

“Feeling better?”

“Much better.” Hayley smiled.

“Are you warmer?”

Hayley glanced at the woodburning stove in the corner and then held Anna’s eyes for a few seconds longer than necessary. “Much warmer.”

To Anna’s extreme discomfort, this stirred things deep inside. Things that she didn’t want to feel any more. Having Hayley here, in her space, gazing into her eyes was making it impossible not to feel the feelings she was hoping this visit would free her of. Feelings she wanted firmly in the past. Anna shifted in her seat and took a large drink of beer, desperately trying not to think about Hayley’s arresting hazel eyes and how much she fancied her when they were younger.

“What brought you up to the Highlands? I don’t think you mentioned.”

After Hayley’s out-of-the-blue email just over a year ago, and her brief but heartfelt apology for having ghosted her when she returned to the US, they’d been emailing every now and then. The past was all water under the bridge as far as Anna was concerned and she was happy to pick the friendship back up. They’d chatted a bit about their lives and what they were up to nowadays. Hayley had talked of her desire to quit her job and come back to Scotland and travel around mainland Europe all summer, but Anna hadn’t actually gone into much detail about why she had moved up to the Highlands, come to think of it. “Work, mainly.”

“I see.”

“There was an opening at Glenbuinidh distillery, and I jumped at the chance.”

“Good for you. What were the other reasons?” Hayley said.

“Um, it’s quieter up here. It feels safer. I like the slower pace of life. I was finding the city too stressful. Up here I’m more chill.”

“I can see that. It suits you. How long have you lived here?”

“I’ve been here for five years now.”

Anna tensed up, feeling her shoulders rise towards her ears, annoyed at herself for sharing. Despite wanting to be friends with Hayley again, part of her didn’t want to fully open up. Something inside of her resisted. She didn’t quite want Hayley to know her history or her insecurities or the things she still struggled with. Did Hayley even want to know these things about her? It wasn’t like she cared about how heartbroken Anna might have been when they lost touch or how it had taken Anna a long time to recover. She’d never told Hayley that it nearly destroyed her, and she never would.

Hayley tilted her head. “You okay?” She spoke the words softly.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.” Anna forced herself to relax her shoulders. There was no use in holding onto grudges when Hayley was only here for a short time.

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