I had to pick up my jaw from off the floor. She was wearing a gold long-sleeved dress that stopped mid-thigh with black pumps, and I had to pull her in for a kiss. “Do we really need to go to this party? I can think of so many other things I’d rather count tonight,” I said with a wink.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks, and my smile grew. I loved that I could still produce a reaction from her.
“Oh, do I wish I could say yes to that. But yes, we do have to go. We already promised Drea we’d be there. If we don’t have a good excuse not to go, she’ll be upset, and I’ll have to hear about it later.”
My smile warmed. Kaia was such a caring person. Always thinking about others. That was one of the reasons we got along so well, because we had the same views on so many things.
“And sex isnota good enough excuse, I take it? Fine, are you ready to go, then?”
She laughed and nodded, bringing me in closer. Every time her hand came up to hold my face in place, a piece of me melted. It felt like being in her hands was my safe space. I felt at peace and at home whenever she touched me.
The kiss was slow and languid, like we had all the time in the world. She was making it very hard to leave the house. I wanted to get nakedand count all the freckles on her body. Count all the times she clenched under me. Count all the times I thought about how much I never wanted a moment with her to end.
When she finally pulled away, she took a step back, and her eyes traveled down the entire length of my body. I was wearing a sparkly red off-the-shoulder dress with gold heels.
“You look perfect.”
When we got there, the party was already in full swing. People dancing, servers walking around with trays of food and drinks. Drea really knew how to throw a party. It was fancy yet casual at the same time.
Fallon and Mackenzie, who were getting close and cozy, greeted us. I swore every time I saw them together, they were touching in some way. Honestly, I couldn’t blame them. I felt that way whenever I was around Kaia. I just wanted to always be as close to her as possible.
Fallon was wearing a skintight red silk dress, and Mackenzie complemented her wife in a red pantsuit.
“Daisy! Kaia! Hi!” Fallon waved us over, and I looked at Kaia and smiled, placing my hand in hers. It felt incredible to touch her like that. To let everyone know I was there with Kaia, and she’d be leaving with me.
At the Christmas party, the same statement was true, but we were friends back then. Everyone knew we were leaving together, but she wasn’t mine like she was now.
We walked over to where they stood next to the stairs, and everyone said their hellos, hugging and exchanging compliments.
“Where are the hostesses?” Kaia asked, signing our conversation.
Fallon and Mackenzie shared a look before Fallon turned back toward us. “Upstairs, I believe. Doing Lord knows what.”
I crinkled my nose but smiled. I’d like to say she was joking, but from the stories I’d heard of Drea, I wasn’t so sure.
“No Cara tonight?” I asked. “Doesn’t she come to all these parties?”
Mackenzie nodded.
“She said she had work, which is probably true. But honestly, I think she’s tired of being the only single person at these parties. I mean, Vera’shere, so I guess she wouldn’t really have been, but I don’t know. She’s focused on work these days. It’s kind of sad, and I feel bad for her, but I understand. I miss her,” Kaia said while signing.
I frowned. “I know, me too. You should call her later, just to let her know we’re thinking of her. I know she’s burnt out from dating right now, but I don’t want her to give up. If anyone deserves to find their happily ever after, it’s Cara. She’s been through a lot these last few years. It’s time she gets her happy ending. Don’t you agree Mrs. and Mrs. Bennett?”
They looked sheepish and nodded at my stern look. “She really does. We have apologized so many times, especially Mackenzie. I know she’s forgiven us, but I still feel awful.”
Kaia chuckled, and I loved the feeling it produced in me. Fallon, Mackenzie, and Cara had… an interesting history with each other. Somehow, in the big city of Seattle, they had both dated Cara.
They had just started dating when this happened, and they were keeping things casual. From what I’d heard from Kaia, they were anything but that from the beginning.
Long story short, Mackenzie was in the same place Fallon was on her date with Cara, and she didn’t handle it very well. It caused a fight between them, but considering they were married and still good friends with Cara, I’d say everything worked out.
Then, Cara had a big falling out with Drea and Blair when she found out they were dating behind her back. She cut ties with both of them, professionally and personally, for a few months, until Drea’s accident.
I was beyond happy that everything worked out in that situation, but I felt bad for Cara. I was the biggest advocate for love, and I really wanted her to find that special person. Someone who made her knees weak and her pulse quicken. Someone who, when she saw them, made her heart skip a beat until it matched in rhythm with theirs. I wanted her to find her Kaia.
“Well, we’re going to mingle a bit. You two should enjoy yourselves. The guests of honor will be down in a bit, I’m sure.”
We waved them off and got ourselves a drink before dancing a little. By the time we agreed to take a break, it was getting closer to midnight.
