The Loneliest Stars || EDITING

Chapter 29

Hey, it's me again, with an update :) It's a pretty long chapter but the storyline called for it. Pull up a chair, grab some tea and settle in. Also disclaimer, I don't speak Arabic so if any translations are wrong my apologies. Feel free to leave the correct translation in the comments.

"Where have you been?" Natalia asked Lima as she let her in through the door.

"Church."

"You went to church?"

"Yes."

"Lima, need I remind you that you're a Muslim?"

Gabe sniggered into his coffee cup.

Lima rolled her eyes. "It's the same God," she said in a duh voice. "Besides I've always wanted to go to a Black Sunday Service in the South, and yes it was the life-changing experience I thought it would be. Thank you for asking."

Natalia laughed at her friend's antics. There was never a dull moment with her around.

"Do you want to go to the Farmer's market?" Natalia asked. She was doing Gabe a favour by grabbing some groceries, he'd invited some friends round and they were going to grill some meat in his backyard. The weather was a lot warmer after the storm and it felt more like a British summer's day than just before Thanksgiving.

"Yes, my American experience continues!" Lima stated excitedly, grabbing her purse.

"Here, take my truck. There's a dirt road leading up to the market and I'm not sure your car will make it."

Natalia's face softened, she sidled up to Gabe using his forearm to draw him nearer to her.

"—And that's my cue to leave, I'll be outside," Lima shouted.

He pulled her into his arms, pressing her into his wide chest, swaying with her side to side. Natalia closed her eyes, and felt warmth spread through her. Her skin still fizzled when he touched her. It would never get old. He kissed her forehead, the bridge of her nose and finally her mouth, before he let her go.

"I want to live in your relationship," Lima told her once they were in the car.

"Like sister-wives?"

"No, like an adult child you've adopted."

"I'm —"

"I thought I was joking, but I'm actually not."

There was a second where they just stared at each other before they burst out laughing, they laughed so hard Natalia had to pull up the hand break because her legs were shaking and unable to hold the footbrake. Lima had that ability to make her laugh until her chest hurt and her cheeks ached.

"You're so dumb! I've missed you."

"I've missed you too. Have you thought of coming back to Dubai after this?"

"I haven't thought that far ahead to be honest." She must have had a panicked look on her face because Lima immediately changed the subject.

"So what are we getting from the Farmer's market?"

"I'm not sure Gabe asked me to get some meat to grill, typical man he didn't mention anything about sides."

"We can make an executive decision then."

"Not you, you have disgusting taste in food combinations. You have ketchup, mayonnaise and banana with every meal."

"So do you!"

"I do not. Banana and plantain aren't the same thing." It was an argument as old as time in their friendship and they never resolved it.

Lima was quickly distracted by a stall selling toffee apples and fudge. She whipped out some dollars from her purse and was purchasing enough candy to power a car purely off the sugar rush.