“Tommy,” she murmurs, taking Kira’s hands from mine. “Thanks for watching our girl for me until I could get here.” She’s not being quiet about it, and since several nosy attendees snuck closer once she arrived, her words are heard.
The impact is immediate, with jaws slackening and whispers pinging around the room. I want to laugh but manage to hold it in, because Janessa basically just implied that we’re in Kira’s, like, harem or whatever.
“It’s my pleasure,” I drawl, like Tommy Claremont would, and give Kira’s cheek a kiss before she joins Janessa in circling the room and facing her fears.
“She’s braver than she used to be,” Lexie whispers as the stares follow the couple around. “She never would’ve done this before.”
“Before what?”
“Before you, before Janessa. Before the lake? I don’t know when it happened, but she’s getting braver. Tougher. She wants to be with the girl she loves and she’s willing to make it happen, even though it’s scary.”
“Maybe that’s what love is all about,” I say, my mind flashing to Young-gi. I wonder if he has Tyler in a box yet. I wonder if he’s thinking about me, too.
“Oh my god, stop,” Lexie elbows my side. “You get the stupidest look on your face when you think about Mr. Sokolov.”
I just laugh, because she’s right.
“Let’s go confuse some people,” I invite, holding out my arm so she can loop hers with mine.
“Oh, let’s,” she smiles, eager and wicked.
“Have I ever told you that your vindictive side appeals to me?” I ask her quietly as we make our way back to the crowd, back toward where Janessa is handling conversations like a politician, like a queen, holding Kira to her and projecting an image of confidence and love.
“No, but I’m glad someone finally appreciates me,” Lexie sighs with a smirk.
I lean toward her ear so I can talk to her without being overheard. “Wanna make a bet? I bet before the night is over, if we play our cards right, we can get people so desperate for gossip that they’ll straight up ask you if you’re part of her harem, too.”
“Oh, I love the way you think.”
And we jump into the party, ready to finally stop avoiding drama and to just let it burn, to start the fires and be open about it. To be brave.
And before I know it, despite the nerves and the way the choice of when she wanted to come out was taken from her, Kira isn’t acting timid anymore. In less than an hour, she’s glowing, because Janessa is showering her with the kind of affection she’s always wanted, right out in the open, without a care for who might see.
I rub my chest, wondering if Young-gi and I will ever get to be together in public.
Now wouldn’t THAT be a fun scandal?It will have to wait. Kira’s being brave, but there’s no reason to make these rough waters even more turbulent for her. No, I’ll wait for my happy-ever-after, if there even is such a thing. For tonight, seeing her look so happy and confident and in love is more than enough.
I make Lexie snap a picture of her while she’s not paying attention.
“For their wedding,” she nods decisively, taking way more than one photo. “I’ll be the maid of honor, obviously. I need to start making the PowerPoint presentation for my speech ASAP.”
And I win my bet. Because right as the party starts to wind down, the crowd can’t take the mystery and suspense anymore, and Lexie finally gets asked if she’s also part of Kira’s open relationship.
We just laugh hysterically, nearly falling down from it, as we stagger out the door to the waiting car.
The ride back to Kira’s apartment is full of giggles, the kind that come from an adrenaline high and a heist pulled off right.
When we pull up, I stay in the car, because I’m going back to Young-gi’s place to wait for him to come home from his business, so I can suck his dick and tell him I love him a few more times.
But Kira pauses, turns to me, takes my hand. Lexie and Janessa are outside waiting for her, so it’s just her and me.
“Tommy, thank you,” she says emphatically. “Really. I didn’t think I’d ever be brave enough to be in the center of attention like that. I didn’t think I’d ever…but you… Anyway, I want to say thanks.”
“No problem,” I shrug bashfully.
“I want you to be with my uncle whenever you want. Publicly,” she says, startling me. I jerk, totally not expecting that.
“What?”
