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Elizabeth couldnโt help but smile at Helenโs words, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. Though it wouldnโt seem like it, she rather enjoyed giving out compliments, especiallyย to the people she loved. And despite everything and the years, she still counted Helen as someone she loved. They may not be together any more but that didnโt mean the redhead wasnโt in her heart anymore.
Her smirk widened then at the words.ย โIโve found Iโve never been tooย lonely,โ Elizabeth told her lightly, letting her gaze drift back towards Harrison for a moment. She really did like the man.ย โThough, Iโm sure for some it can be. What is it they say? Some people find it hard to have a work/life balance?โ Elizabeth teased out, her gaze focusing back on Helen as she spoke. Their problems had been mutual; they both worked too much. But Elizabethโs ideas of fun and relaxation were vastly different to Helenโs.ย
The kiss had been a playful tease but as Elizabeth stood up, she saw the look on Helenโs face. Instead of addressing it or even thinking further on it, she chose to ignore. There was no point bringing it up now, in a ballroom full of their peers. Her eyes strayed to the diamond necklace Helen was fidgeting with, deciding to go easy on her former lover for the rest of the evening; clearly the woman was uncomfortable.
โTastes havenโt changed that much, Helen. Donโt worry,โ Elizabeth chuckled as they made their way towards the bar. As they walked she gave a few waves and courteous hellosย - after all, the event was filled with people she knew. Some from years passed and some that were new.ย
โWhat about you?โ Elizabeth asked as they stopped at the bar, a hand smoothing over the delicate gold bangle that adorned her wrist.ย โYou still drink, aโฆโ and for once, she was a little embarrassed to realise she couldnโt quite remember Helenโs preferred drink.ย โWell, you know,โ she quickly covered, her words coming out playfully as she stepped closer and settled a hand on Helenโs back. The bar was full after all.ย
Helen couldnโt help the quiet laugh that escaped her lips, rolling her eyes at herself at the mention of a work and life balance. That certainly wasnโt something the redhead was awfully in tune with, as her ex wife was probably rather aware of.ย โAh... well, youโve got that right. Itโs the emotional kind of loneliness Iโm experiencing.โ The physical aspect certainly wasnโt. Her bed had someone else in it more often than not, but they were almost always one night stands... people she couldnโt connect with on a psychological level. Of course, they were perfect for an encounter on a whim... physical affection when she craved it. Other than that, her nights alone were often spent wondering if Elizabeth was laying awake too, or if she was in the company of another. Now she think she knew the answer.ย โSorry, I donโt know why I said that... you donโt need to know about my personal life.โ She laughed rather awkwardly then as a free hand reached up to took a loose red curl out of her face.
The moment she realised the blonde probably took not of the expression on her face as she kissed Harrison, deep down she felt a little guilty. There was no logical reason for her to be feeling that way... she knew the CEO wouldnโt have handled it more on the inside, right?
It was obvious the pair were in their element when they were both greeting fellow guests at the event. When they were together, she were known to host lavish affairs regularly, Helen left a lot of the planning to her wife, aware of the fact sheโd probably done it before.ย โOh, thatโs good. Iโm pleased about that, actually.โ Pleased there was still a part of her she still knew.
โA Manhattan? I do, though, lately Iโve been teetering between that and a martini. I suppose it depends on my mood.โ She reminded the other woman whilst her lips curved into a grin. Honestly, she hadnโt expected her to remember her drink order after all those years, and quite frankly, she hadnโt expected her to take a shine to their reunion. Not because Elizabeth wasnโt a welcoming, open person by any means, but due to the fact that break ups were rough, and divorces often kept their sting after many years.
There it was. Elizabethโs touch... again. This time it was on the small of her back, unabashedly so, it was comforting. In a way that made Helen want to shake herself by the straps of her dress and tell her to get it together. Moments passed in silence between the pair, her blue eyes surveyed Elizabeth some more, purely in an act of admiration. Lord, the woman was sublime.ย โItโs nice to have your company again... even just for now. You were always a good friend to me.โ