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Anna stroked Hayley’s arm draped across her waist. Hayley’s skin was so soft. They’d never been quite this intimate. But she didn’t care. Hayley was leaving in less than twelve hours. Her fingers moved up and down Hayley’s forearm beyond her control. It felt so natural. Just like she thought it would. She just couldn’t hold back any longer, a mixture of grief and longing taking over her rogue fingers.

“That’s nice,” Hayley whispered, not moving.

Anna’s every nerve tingled. She had never felt as connected to Hayley. Or to anyone in her whole life. They were both sad about Hayley’s leaving and supporting each other through it. Their bodies were like something glued together, entwined, but forever with this huge distance between them. Close but a million miles away. The contradiction was often dizzying. Debilitating, even.

Hayley shifted even closer onto Anna, resting her leg over Anna’s thighs. Anna put her other arm around her, instinctively, and they cuddled into each other. Hayley’s chest rose and fell. Anna’s heart still pounded. They stayed like that for ages. Anna didn’t want to let go. Ever.

But she would have to, very soon.

Hayley lifted her head and looked directly into Anna’s eyes mere inches from hers. “I don’t think I can sleep.”

“Me neither.”

“Do you mind if I stay in here with you tonight?”

“Of course not.”

“We still have a few more hours together.”

Anna nodded.

They lay together for ages until Hayley moved off Anna and rested back on the pillow they shared.

Anna turned to face her as Hayley did the same. They were still wrapped up in each other, their faces so close together. The bed was warm. Their bodies emanated so much heat. They’d been sharing a bed for months, off and on, sometimes cuddling each other to sleep, but it felt different tonight. Heightened.

Hayley stared into her eyes. Anna got lost in that hazel tinge and seductive stare. Hayley glanced down at Anna’s lips and rested her hand on the side of Anna’s neck. She stroked along Anna’s jawline with her thumb. Anna struggled to breathe. She was either going to ask Hayley what she was doing or lean in and finally kiss those lips she so desperately wanted to.

Hayley inched forward, eyes glancing backwards and forwards from Anna’s eyes to her mouth.

All Anna could do was stare back. She wanted this. She needed this. But was Hayley on the same page? Did she feel the same? Was this a good idea?

Before Anna could overthink it, Hayley’s lips were on hers.

Anna was shocked at first. It had finally happened. Then she quickly lost herself in Hayley’s oh-so-soft lips that were kissing hers so gently. Hayley’s tongue found hers, tentatively, which instantly sent a wave of electricity between Anna’s legs. Anna squeezed Hayley’s waist as Hayley ran her hands through Anna’s hair, slowly, like she was caressing Anna’s innermost being. The kiss went on and on.

It was like a dream.

***

Present day

Some early morning light crept underneath the curtains. Anna had slept a little bit worse than usual. She’d been tossing and turning all night thinking about the past and remembering things she’d rather not. The closeness of Hayley the night before she left felt like yesterday. That moment when they first kissed was forever burned onto Anna’s brain despite her repeated attempts to erase the memory.

A couple of hours and some light sleep later, Anna peeked into the living room. Hayley was still asleep. Tiptoeing, she went into the kitchen, casting longing looks at the coffee machine, and switched the heating on. Hayley stirred. Anna froze. Why did it feel like having a stranger in the house?

“Hey, you.” Hayley turned around, blinking. Her hair was wild, and her eyes were soft and sleepy. She was always so beautiful first thing in the morning. She was so beautiful all the time. Anna sighed inwardly at herself.

“Good morning. Sorry I woke you.”

Hayley yawned. “Don’t be. It’s all good. I need to get”?she yawned again?“used to this.”

“We should swap. You can have my bed and I’ll sleep in here. You need to get over your jetlag more gradually and I need my coffee in the morning.”

“Well, when you put it like that, Anna, how can I possibly resist your bed?”

Anna laughed. Hayley was always so easy-going and so effortlessly flirty. She’d missed laughing with her like this, in a house, with their guards down. She’d missed it perhaps more than she’d realised. “It’s a better plan.”

“You do love a plan.”