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It may be that she still regretted the developments with her family, but I had already stopped thinking about it when the door fell into the lock behind us.
I had expected something different from my long-time friend, especially since it was his daughter and not some random woman he was judging so harshly.
I joined Amo and Blake, mostly because I was tired of dealing with my thoughts on the subject, which were going around in circles. I could tell from their faces that they had already heard about the events. Probably through Kaia– who had certainly talked to Audrey about it.
"If you need any help– of any kind– let us know. Before her father disinherits her, we'd like to check the original contracts and see if he could be obligated to make her the next CEO."
"Not that she would want that but thank you. I guess if it becomes necessary..." I didn't finish the sentence because I didn't want to speak of the devil right away.
A few more months would pass in which the dust would settle, and at some point it would become clear what would happen next.
"Audrey has a fantastic circle of friends around her. I think no matter what happens, she can't come out badly in the end." Amo raised his shoulders slightly as he said this. "We didn't plan on it, but a small community seems to be forming."
Common interests were always a good motivator to create closeness and make friends. Especially when it was an interest that was still misunderstood by many people and still used to demonize or call someone sick. If you were looking for someone to talk to, you almost always found them in your own ranks, and so it could almost only be called fate that we met Kaia and one of her two men in the sex club a few months ago.
Otherwise none of us would be standing here tonight.
Before I could answer, I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder. The next thing I knew, Audrey planted a kiss on my cheek, and I reached out to pull her against me, changing the chaste version to a slightly less cheesy one.
"I was going to make a little speech for Audrey, but I guess that's totally unnecessary," Kaia announced, raising a glass, though I still hadn't pulled away from Audrey and instead continued to sink into the kiss.
"Audrey is a wonderful woman and I am glad we met. Everyone needs good friends and I found mine in Audrey and Nikau. So I guess I should thank the men in my life for bringing me all these wonderful women."
That was reason enough for Audrey to slowly step away from me and pull Kaia into a tight embrace. We all watched as they were in each other's arms. "I think I've said it a thousand times, but this is the best birthday party I've ever had. Thank you for that." After pulling away from Kaia, she held out her arms. "And now we've all stood around long enough. Let's get something to eat and then go back to dancing. Maybe Lei will break out some of his hula moves."
I winked at her. "Only if you dance with me."
While the others were already moving forward, Audrey grabbed my hand. We automatically fell back a little. I pulled her to my side. She looked up at me.
"In case you haven't heard I'm glad we decided to cut the pretend part out of our relationship. It was probably long overdue, but I've been shutting myself off from it all this time and deliberately not looking."
That almost sounded a little bit like I could be angry at her for that– the opposite was probably more accurate. I was relieved that the end result was like that, and not like I'd been imagining it almost obsessively over the last few months, and then pushing it away because I didn't really want to acknowledge the possibility.
"Of course, I realize that we still have a lot to talk about, but for now, I'm really glad that we agree. And I'm sorry you had to wait so long. It really wasn't my intention to keep you in suspense," she went on without me getting a word in edgewise.
For now, there wasn't much to say anyway. "I would have waited much longer, Audrey. Do you realize that? After we managed to ignore everything for years, weeks and months didn't matter anymore. Besides, I didn't want us to take this step until you felt ready. Not a second earlier."
Because otherwise there could have been chaos.
Because otherwise she might have decided at some point that she didn't want me after all.
For so many reasons.
But ultimately none of that mattered because Audrey had decided that she wanted me. And that was the perfect outcome of our evolution together.
Audrey
My fingernail slid over the rope that held Lei's hands behind the chair. A soft scratching sounded– followed by a hiss from him which should make me realize how much his current inability to act disgusted him... even though he had voluntarily agreed to play with me tonight. A belated birthday present, if you will.
For the first time in a while, I felt like I was ready to step in front of the camera and do a livestream again. Only I wouldn't be alone, because Lei was the focus of attention. Of my desire, my curiosity, my attention. I had to know that I could trust him blindly. If I let him tie me up, if he brought his beloved knife into play, and if he, which was what it all came down to, took control of me. So far I had shied away from giving myself completely, but after tonight I might finally have enough courage to give him this last part of me.
Everything else was already his.
"Are you sure you want to do this live?" I asked again, straightening up and running my fingernail over his strong arm and the tattoos that curled over it. I remembered exactly how I had always wanted to explore it. With my tongue, lips and...
"I wouldn't be sitting here if I minded, would I?" his counter question made me smile.
"And you're comfortable without the mask?"
