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Ash drew in a breath. “Yeah, good. Really good, actually.”

What does that mean?In what she thought was a subtle move, Alice peered over Ash’s shoulder to see if she could spot Sam.

“She’s gone. She told Navi she had a headache and they left.”

“Oh. Do you want to talk about it?”

Ash frowned and shook her head. “I mean, yes, I want to talk to you… but not about Sam. Do you fancy getting some air?”

“Sure. Don’t you want to eat first?”

Ash puffed out a laugh. “No, maybe later… I can’t just yet.”

Ash led Alice away from the party, until they were outside on an empty terrace, barely lit aside from a few flickering lanterns. In the daytime, there’d likely be a stunning view of the hotel grounds. But only darkness stretched out ahead of them now, a parallax in shades of night.

A cool breeze caused Alice to shiver and rub the chill from her arms.

“Are you warm enough?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, just adjusting. It’s pretty hot in there, so it’s nice to cool down.”

“There’s a bench over there.” Ash gestured to a shadowy corner.

Alice tried to ignore the bite of jealousy at the realisation that this was where Ash had been with Sam earlier. They sat for a while, their eyes adjusting to the low light. Music and voices bled out from the function room, but the enveloping night seemed to absorb the sound into a hushed muffle.

Alice broke their silence. “So, are you going to tell me what happened with Sam?”

Ash exhaled. “We had a good chat, put a few things to rest. She said she’s happy, but she misses me and would love to spend some time together again.”

“Oof, the classic stab and twist to hook you back in.” Alice gestured with her hand.

“Yeah, but it didn’t work. It’s taken a long time, but I’ve finally moved on. I’m not willing to be dragged into any games.” A tendril of hair fell over Ash’s face. She tucked it back and turned to look at Alice. “Besides, I told her I’ve met someone.”

Alice stilled.

“You’re the first person I’ve met since Sam, who I’ve had any sort of feelings for. And I’ve been trying so hard to just be a friend to you. I didn’t want to be the person swooping in to take advantage of a situation.”

“I never thought that?—”

“I was crushed when Sam left. All I needed was a friend to pull me out of the hole I’d fallen into, not someone trying to get into my pants.”

Alice chewed her lip. “Well, as much as I’ve liked having a friend…”

Ash scratched the back of her neck. “I feel like a total creep saying this, but I was drawn to you from the moment you walked into my A&E department looking completely deranged. It’s only been two weeks, but every moment we’ve spent together has been… I mean, I literally crave your company. When I’m not with you, you’re all I think about.” Ash raised her hands. “And I know I should’ve backed off to give you space…”

“Ash—”

“But I’ve just been falling further and further. And now, I couldn’t stay away, even if I wanted to.”

“I don’t want you to stay away. I like you too, you know that, right?”

Ash slow-blinked. “I know. The way you look at me sometimes, it takes every ounce of my restraint not to just…” Ash growled, and it sent heat coiling through Alice.

“But the thing is, I don’t want to be just a rebound for you. I like you way too much for that, Alice. You’re still so raw?—”

“No, I’m not. My mind has never been clearer. These past couple of weeks, I realised everything I ever had with Fran was fiction. I loved her power and her appetite for me, but beyond the fantasy, there was no substance.” Alice took Ash’s hand, threading their fingers and clasping it in her lap. “So yeah, I got fucked over, but it felt more like a violent awakening than the heartbreak you went through with Sam, because I wasn’t ever really in love with Fran.”

Ash gulped. “How do you know?”