Chapter 551

Ending the goodbye dinner turned out to be just about as messy a scene as starting it was, there were just fewer people around to witness it since it happened outside.

Tears were shed. Hugs were repeated six or more times. You ended up holding more Tasha in your arms for a while as she got a little overwhelmed, everyone’s emotions feeding back on themselves. Finally, Charlotte and Becca headed one way and Becks and Tasha headed another when the Uber Sabrina had ordered got tired of waiting for you and honked his horn.

Both of your girlfriends were half-depressed, half-chuckling after the long goodbye and at seeing the state of their makeup in the compact mirror Gemma had brought in her purse. They cleaned themselves up a little, but the conversation remained quiet - you had a lot to say, but it was private. There was no need to spill your personal shit in front of the Uber driver.

You got dropped off at the top of Sabrina’s street, and Gemma immediately grabbed your hand while Sabrina looped her arm with yours, assuming their traditional positions before you started to walk.

“Tonight was really good,” Gemma sighed. “God, I’m gonna miss those girls. I’m excited to get back with Birdie and see my other friends at home, but it’s a different kind of close.”

“You know, John is OK with you fooling around with other girls,” Sabrina said, grinning as she looked past you. “So am I. Especially if he gets to fuck ‘em too when he comes to visit.”

Gemma chuckled and rolled her eyes. “It wouldn’t be the same as this,” she said, shaking her head. “My friends ... My friends are great people, but not like that. Then again, I haven’t seen them other than in quick video calls so maybe I’ll feel different about being attracted to them or not when I get home and actually have them in front of me.”

“Gemma, love, considering what we’re going to be doing, you deserve to have someone to be intimate with while we can’t be with you,” you said. “So, just in case you do find yourself presented with an opportunity with a female friend you trust...”

“Permission granted,” Sabrina said.

Gemma smirked a little and shook her head. “I don’t think it’ll happen, but I appreciate it. And I’ll definitely keep you updated if it does - I gotta keep up the sexy teasing somehow when competing from across the world.” You and Sabrina both started to protest but she held up her free hand. “I’m joking, I’m joking. It’s not a competition.”

You blew out a breath, stopping since you had reached Sabrina’s building but not heading for the door yet. It was a beautiful night, the soft breeze adding just enough coolness to the hot August evening that you might have even called it perfect. “So, there’s one other Relationship Rule thing I think we need to talk about,” you said. “Becks brought it up with me earlier today and this is the first chance we really have to talk about it alone, out of the office. She pointed out to me that, if she and Tasha do get together-”

“She’s talking about it happening?” Sabrina interrupted excitedly. “That means she’s basically jumping into bed with her. Maybe they’re doing it right now.”

“Love,” Gemma said, quirking an eyebrow.