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Chapter 6

Twenty minutes later Ray was still in the kitchen. Sitting on the kitchen tabletop, head in hands, he groaned. How long had be been waiting for her to come to him; to say that she missed him; to tell him that she had been staying away because of the confused feelings she had? She had opened up, apologised for hurting him and what had he done? Got in a jealous tantrum over Gates!

Cursing himself, Ray leant back and repeatedly banged his head against the wall, "Neela's right I am a wanker," he muttered to himself.

He had let Gates get to him.

"Now he's another wanker." Ray mumbled. Gates had lied and he had believed him. If he had only listened to Neela in the beginning, then he would probably be sat with her right now, drinking tequila, and laughing about how stupid Gates was to think Ray would gullibly believe his little tale. But he had believed him; in the process hurting Neela again and probably paving the way for Gates to worm his way back into her good books.

Sighing loudly, Ray agitatedly thrust his hand through his hair.

So what were his options? He could call it a day, go back to an empty apartment and feel really sorry for himself. Alternatively he could find Neela, tell her he was a fool, and beg her to forgive him?

Ray sat up purposefully. Jumped off the counter and headed for the door.

"Option two."

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"Neela you've barely been here for an hour," Abby moaned, hovering by the doorway.

"I know, but I feel like I've been here for hours," she replied shrugging into a coat.

"Well that's just charming, and that's my coat!"

Neela smiled, "you know what I mean, and I told you I'm just borrowing it!"

"Fine, well what about Tony? You've at least got to wait and take him with you. He definitely wasn't invited, you brought him!" she hurled.

Neela squirmed, and pulled a face at Abby. "Remember that time when I covered your shift at the last minute?" she whimpered, edging closer to the door.

Abby barred the doorway, "Oh no, don't try and shift the guilt. This one lies solidly on your shoulders missy,"

Exasperated she flung off the coat and pouted.

Grinning Abby said, "you and Ray are made for each other."

Neela's face fell.

Abby caught her arm, concerned. "Hey, why the long face? Is he the reason you want to leave early?"

Neela looked away quickly.

"It is isn't it! That guy is useless. Did I need to spell it out?"

Neela looked up curiously.

"Err, we were just talking," she paused "about you," she cringed

"Abby, "Neela said heatedly.

"I know, none of my business, I'm sorry. I just thought he should know."

"Know what!"

"Ok I'm digging a really big hole here. You're right you did cover my shift, I owe you," Abby picked up the coat offering it to her.

Neela pushed it out of the way, "keep digging."

Sighing, she put the coat down and scowled, "you two needed a push in the right direction, so I pushed him," she paused again, "in the right direction," she covered her face, expecting a barrage of swearing, but on hearing nothing peeked behind her hands. Neela was sat on a chair, hands twisting in her lap, looking down heartened.

"Well you didn't railroad him enough," she whispered.

Abby looked confused. Noting that Neela looked on the verge of tears, she sat herself on the arm of the chair and put her arm around her.

"I tried to tell him, apologised, but he wouldn't let me speak, all he did was pick an argument with me over Gates," she said quietly.

"Jealous moron," she retorted gently, resting her head against Neela's.

She smiled sadly, "I realised then that it wasn't going to work. I think our ship has well and truly passed us by."

"But did you tell him how you feel, right?" Abby asked.

"Kind of, but as I said, we're not destined to be together."

"He needs a big smack on the butt, with a large, hard stick."

She laughed feebly, "no, that's letting him off the hook, try a sharp, metal shovel."

Abby got up "Come on, I'll call you a taxi."

Neela held her back, "you're a great friend Abby, What would I do without you looking out for me?"

Abby cocked her head to the side, "Probably run off with Morris and have 2, four nippled children?"

Neela laughed, "Knowing my luck it would probably be 5."

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Abby put the phone down, "right the taxi should be here in five minutes."

"Thanks, I'll go and wait outside," Neela picked up her bag and gave Abby a big hug.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I fancy some fresh air."

Neela headed out of the flat and began walking. Finally reaching the lift she pressed the button and waited.

"Neela, hold up."

Turning, she saw Ray sprinting down the corridor. She frantically pressed the button, mentally urging the lift to hurry up.

"Neela, wait."

Ignoring him she breathed a sigh of relief as the lift doors swung open. Scurrying in, she hit the down button and watched the doors begin to close.

"Not so fast," a voice rasped breathlessly, closely followed by an outstretched arm preventing the doors from shutting any further. The doors opened instantly, letting a physically exhausted Ray enter the lift.

Neela tried to leave the enclosed space, but was halted by an arm snaking around her waist.

"Let me go," she gasped, struggling to free herself.

"Hey, calm down, I'm going to let you go but I don't want you to run off. Promise me you'll talk to me and I'll let you go.

He was too close, she couldn't get away from his scent, she needed to distance herself from him, fast. "OK, just let me out of the lift," she panted.

Letting her go abruptly, Ray looked at her with confusion, "Neela?"

She pushed past him, walking back onto the corridor. Ray quickly followed her.

"What was that all about? In the lift?" he asked, the concern visible on his face.

"What do you want Ray?" she asked harshly, ignoring the question.

He ran his hand through his hair nervously, seemingly at a loss for words. He tucked his thumbs into his jean pockets and stared at her intently. She looked away embarrassed.

"I need to say sorry, for everything I said to you earlier. I wasn't thinking clearly. All I could see was red after my chat with Gates."

Neela's eyes met his.

"I mean Tony."

She smiled hesitantly. Encouraged he continued.

"I, was so angry with him," he paused looking at her closely, "and with you, for choosing to be friends with him over me." He looked away. "I was jealous because I didn't seem to exist," he trailed off.

"But I said sorry for how I acted!" she said trying to meet his eyes.

"I know," his eyes raised locking with hers. "but by then I was too stunned to speak. You've got to remember we haven't properly spoken to each other in a year."

She nodded her head in acceptance.

"What you said surprised me."

She felt her cheeks redden in embarrassment, thinking about what she had disclosed."

Catching her hand in his, he softly asked, "Neela, can we start again, from the beginning. I've missed our friendship. I've missed you."

His eyes were bright, serious, adoring.

"I don't know Ray," she sighed shifting uneasily.

"I know we have a lot to work through, we can't go back, but we can start again, afresh as friends?" he begged, his hold on her hand tightening, "please?"

Her eyes softened. He smiled tentatively, unsure.

"On one condition," she teased.

"Anything!" he grinned back.

"You are never to drink a glass of tequila without salt and lemon again; it's sacrilegious!"

He laughed loudly and swept her up into a big hug. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. He stroked her hair slowly, nuzzling his head into her neck and breathing deeply. After a minute, they pulled back awkwardly.

"So we're friends right?" Ray said over brightly, holding his hand out.

Her smile faltering slightly, she nodded and reached out to shake his hand.

"Friends."

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Real life is about to commence for me as of next week, so want to finish this fic as quickly as possibly. Any thoughts let me know!