I groaned. “It’s not really like that. I was never with her. She’s my best friend.”
She nodded like she understood. “Ahh, in love with the best friend, huh? That’s a bitch. I’m sorry. Can I say something? I don’t mean this offensively, but one-night stands aren’t really your thing, are they?”
“Not really, no.”
“Good. Keep it that way.”
“What?”
“Don’t change who you are just because you want your circumstances to change. If you two being together isn’t an option, then find one that is. Go out and meet people you actually might want a future with. But don’t change yourself to make it happen quicker. Getting over someone sucks, especially if you never had them. Trust me, I know. Itsucks and it’ll take time, but everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.”
“I don’t know who I am. Maybe a one-night stand is my thing and I don’t know it because I’ve never tried.”
She smiled. “Do you want to try again and see? I’m more than happy to help you find out, but I don’t want to push you.”
I shook my head, already knowing the answer to that. “I think you’re right. I don’t think they’re my thing. I’m sorry.”
She kissed my cheek and stood up. “I think you know exactly who you are, Kaia. Embrace it and don’t change it for someone else. You have my number if things change. I’m also more than happy to be a friend if you need one.”
She opened the door and left without another word.
She was right. I did know who I was. I was Kaia Celeste Rhodes. Bookstore co-owner. Grieving daughter. Loving best friend. Monogamy-seeking lesbian. And I’d do well to remember that. I texted Drea and Blair to update them on the night:
Me: She left. I couldn’t do it.
Blair: Good! When you get home, we will be having a discussion about this!
Drea: We love you, kid. We just want you to be happy.
Blair: Yes, babe. We love you. We’ll help you figure out the next steps, if you want us to.
Me: I love you guys. My next step is to house hunt, so if you want to tag along, I won’t say no.
Blair: Hell yes! I’ll start looking too!
Drea: I’ll get out my checkbook.
Me: Don’t even try it!
Drea: Ugh, fine! But I’m buying you a housewarming present and you can’t say no!
Me: You are not using my new house as an excuse to buy me a car! I told you my jeep is just fine! She gets me to where I need to go!
Drea: Okay, I think we need to spend less time together. Fine, no car. What about a pool? Jacuzzi? A dog? You’ll miss Duke when you leave. You need a pet!
Me: How about a ring for Blair?
Blair: Oh, I love that compromise!!
After five minutes of no answers, I assumed they “went to bed” for the night, and I turned off my phone. This trip had gone a lot of different ways, but I was excited to see where the future would take me. I was starting to hope I would find my personandkeep Daisy as my best friend.
Chapter Twenty-One
KAIA
I was still having doubts about going to Drea’s Christmas party.Sure, I knew everyone who was supposed to be there, and I knew where it was, but who knew what would happen? At least I had Daisy for support.
I’d been to Drea’s house only a few times in the seven years I’d known her. She came from money but hadn’t wanted anyone to know that for the longest time. Even as her employee, I had no idea until we had our falling out. If it weren’t for Daisy and Blair, things would still be the same. I’d still be letting her walk all over me without speaking my mind, and she’d still be a closed-off grump drinking and sleeping her way around the city to cope with her breakup with Skylar.
