“You know what I meant.” Nicole nudged her in the side.

“I did.” Kelly planted a wet kiss on Nicole’s cheek. “And that’s why we’re friends. We appreciate the simple things in life.”

“Hey, watch who you’re calling simple,” Nicole shot back.

The easy camaraderie between them was something Kelly cherished. Out of nowhere, a pang of sadness hit her. Why couldn’t she meet and fall in love with someone like her best friends, Steve and Nicole?

Kelly shook off the thought. Envy had no place in her heart, it wouldn’t change a thing and she never wanted to become bitter or jealous.

“Do you want the good news or the bad news?” Nicole asked, unaware of the thoughts tumbling through Kelly’s head.

“Give me the bad news first, and don’t tell me you think it was Colette.”

“’fraid so.” Nicole sighed. “Think about it, it’s the reason she’s so snippy with you. She’s covering her backside.”

“Oh my God, do you think so?”

“Nope, just pulling your chain.” Nicole giggled. “The good news is I can’t imagine it was Colette. The bad news is you’re not going to be able to pursue the person I’m ninety-nine percent sure it is, without causing a lot of grief. And now that you’ve decided to break things off with Paula, I don’t think you should go making any confessions.”

Having no idea who Nicole was hinting at, Kelly couldn’t agree or disagree. “Spit it out. Who do you think it was?

“Ashleigh,” Nicole said softly.

Kelly snorted coffee out of her nose. That wasn’t the name she expected to hear.

“You okay?” Nicole thumped her on the back. “I tried to break it to you gently.”

“Thanks.” Feeling like she’d stepped into another nightmare, Kelly wiped her mouth and cleared her throat. “How did you come to that conclusion?”

“Remember when Paula not so subtly divulged to everyone you’re into bondage?”

It wasn’t something Kelly was likely to forget in a hurry. “Yeah, why?”

“I know you heard every word she said, but you couldn’t see every face.” Nicole pointed to the narrow concrete path running along the back of their flat. “Ever seen someone turn that colour?”

Unsure if she was following along, Kelly narrowed her eyes. “You mean grey?”

“Yes! That’s the colour Ashleigh turned when Paula mentioned you were meant to get your kink on then you got sick.”

“Maybe the part about me being into kink embarrassed her.”

“I wondered the same at first, but if that was the case she would’ve blushed not paled.” Nicole’s voice rose in pitch. “She looked panic struck, Kel, like she was freaking out someone would see right through her. Lower your head.”