“What, now?”
“Well, maybe after lunch. I can’t handle a whole Christmas Day feast on my own, especially with all that fish you ordered. But after we’re done, leave us here with Henri and go make your dreams come true.”
“You’re kidding.” Sylvie slumped against her friend’s shoulder, touching her lips where Ade had caressed her just a few hours ago. “Imagine if I just drove home and turned up on her doorstep.”
“Don’t imagine it. Just do it.”
Sylvie couldn’t pluck up the courage to knock on Ade’s door. Or buzz her intercom. She sat for a short while until the jitters got to her, then she stood outside the five-story block for another twenty minutes.
The whole thing was madness. Elda and Charlie had her caught up in a fantasy where Ade would open the door and sweep her off her feet. The reality would be far more sobering, no doubt. Ade would be annoyed by the interruption in her routine, grumpy and awkward, until she got used to it.
Sylvie dared another look up toward the attic studio. The lights were on, that was something. Either she was in, or Steph was. Neither option made Sylvie feel any better. Perhaps she should just make her way home, settle in for the night. She had cheese, wine and good friends waiting for her
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Hope you’ve had a great day. I wish we could have spent it together.
Sylvie’s breath caught in her throat. So she hadn’t conjured the whole thing in her imagination. It was all there for the taking, if one of them was brave enough.
Me too. It’s been lovely with all the gang, but I’ve made my way back to the city. I missed you. Care to join me?
She wouldn’t want to leave her sister alone, surely.
Where are you?
Right outside your apartment.
Oh, God, that was very firmly in the stalker behavior column. She hoped Ade wouldn’t hold it against her. Although if the shoe was on the other foot, Sylvie most definitely would.
“I don’t really buy all that manifesting shit, but I guess Christmas is a time for believing in something.” Ade strode across the small square, filling it with her presence.
Sylvie couldn’t meet her eye contact, a shyness overcoming her. “It’s a bold move, I know. I hope you don’t think I’m a stalker.”
“Hey, I’m the one who took the train to the countryside for the afternoon yesterday.” Ade smiled.
“It’s like we can’t keep away from each other.”
“It’s just like that.” Ade stepped into her space and licked her lips. “But if we get interrupted again, I’m going to lose my shit.”
Sylvie gave into her craving and met Ade’s lips. This time it was tentative. She had tasted Ade, and she wanted more. She smiled into the kiss. “Me too.” Her lips tingled with the contact, her ears buzzed with a rush of adrenaline, and for a moment, she might have left the floor.
Sylvie wanted the kiss to last for as long as possible. She burned with passion, growing bolder as they kissed.
Ade broke away, her eyes shining with the emotion. “I don’t know what to say.”
Sylvie pressed her finger to Ade’s lips, desperate to reassure her that she didn’t need the words to describe it. “I know.”
“I’ve never done that before. Not like that.” Ade cleared her throat.
“Me neither.” Sylvie took Ade’s hand and laced their fingers together. “Want to come over?”
“Absolutely, I do.” Ade looked over her shoulder to her studio.
Sylvie’s heart bounced. “Forget I asked. You’ll want to stay with Steph.” She’d known Ade would put her sister’s feelings before her own, and she liked her even more for it. “Of course.” But that kiss. She wanted more, and soon.
“I already told her not to wait up.”
It was like Ade read her mind as she covered her lips once again with her soft, firm touch.
