Chapter 22 #2
“Hey, guys,” I said, taking a few steps away from Vera. I cleared my throat, not looking at her, knowing she’d be looking at me. “We were just talking.”
Blair laughed, but I did notice the way her eyes bounced from me to Vera and back again. It was almost as if she suspected something was up. Even though that kiss was real and made the lie more believable, I thought she might still be doubting us.
“Yeah, I can tell. Come on, babe let’s leave these two… love birds alone and greet everyone.” She took Drea’s hand and they walked past us.
“What was that?” Vera asked when they were out of ear shot.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I panicked. I know we’re supposed to be pretending, so a kiss would seem natural, but—”
“Are we still pretending, Cara?”
I nodded. “Yes, Vera. They think we’re dating, but we’re not. I like you. It’s complicated, I—”
“Relax, princesa. I’m not asking for a love confession. I’m just a little confused as to why you acted like we weren’t supposed to be making out if they already think we’re together.”
I groaned. “I know! I don’t know, okay? I just didn’t expect anyone to be behind us. I’m sorry. This whole thing is just stressing me out.”
It was true. I was balancing the lie with the truth of my feelings while hiding both of those things from my friends while also not hiding anything. It was all too much and I wanted to scream. I liked her, yes, but would we be anything more? Most likely not.
“It’s almost over, then we can go home and put this whole thing behind us if that’s what you want.
But tonight? We are pretending to be together and going to enjoy a relaxing night on the beach.
I’m going to pretend to hold hands with my pretend girlfriend as I safely walk her down the beach, okay? ” She smirked.
“You’re impossible.” I rolled my eyes but let her take my hand.
When we got down to the bonfire, there were chairs set up all around it. Enough chairs for everyone, but everyone was in their partners laps.
I waited until Vera took her seat before taking my own. I took my seat on her lap and her eyes grew wide. I shrugged and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize this seat was taken. Would you like me to get up?”
Her grip tightened on my hips and she whispered back, “Not a chance. This is where you belong.” I grinned and ignored the twitch in my core.
Everyone started their own conversations, asking Blair and Drea questions, talking with Penelope and asking where her husband was.
“He’s in the room with Nora. It’s her bedtime and momma’s girl time.” We all laughed. Her husband was such a good father and hadn’t complained once about being on baby duty the majority of the time.
Everyone was in their own world after a while and I fluttered my eyes closed at Vera’s voice in my ear. “Is this okay?” she whispered.
She was caressing my arms and playing with the back of my neck, causing goosebumps. I nodded, unable to do anything else. It felt so good.
Vera was still caressing me and peppering my neck with small kisses when she spoke. “Fallon, I hear congratulations are in order for you? How’s pregnancy been going so far?” she asked.
She had noticed Mackenzie on the plane, touching Fallon’s stomach, which had slightly grown over the past few months when she first told us she was pregnant, and asked me about it.
Fallon smiled and Mackenzie pulled her closer. “It’s actually going pretty perfectly. I had a bad case of morning sickness at first. Now it’s just lugging this thing around.” She rubbed her stomach and it was so wild to know a little human was growing in there. Just a whole life source and all.
The rest of the night was spent laughing and sharing s’mores with my friends and I couldn’t have asked for a better night.
I texted Eloise to check in, knowing she was probably sleeping and would see it in the morning.
I had just sent the text when I heard a soft chuckle in my ear.
I’d gotten into my own chair when they brought out the s’mores.
I was sure Vera’s lap was getting tired, even though she insisted she was fine.
“Are you ready to head inside?” she asked.
Everyone else had gone in except for Blair. Drea had gotten a call from her parents and went inside to take it.
I shook my head. “You go ahead, I’ll meet you in a little bit. I want to spend some more time with my best friend. If that’s okay?”
She kissed my cheek. “Of course. Stay as long as you need. I’ll be in the room when you get there.”
She rubbed my arm before heading towards the villa, leaving Blair and I alone for the first time in a long time.
“I’m glad it’s just the two of us, babe. I feel like we haven’t had any time together in forever. I’m sorry about that, by the way. Planning a wedding and working was a little harder than I thought it was going to be.”
I smiled. “Don’t even worry about it, doll. Life gets chaotic sometimes. I get it. I’ve been keeping busy with work.”
“And Vera.” She winked. “I still don’t understand how that happened.
For as long as I’ve known you, you’ve said butch wasn’t your type.
I’ve only seen you with femmes like Fallon and Mackenzie.
How did this happen? Don’t get me wrong, I’m incredibly happy for you.
I haven’t seen you so lit up in a very long time.
Vera’s brought some color back into your life and I’m so here for it. ”
I shrugged, not wanting to deny the truth. I didn’t know if all of that was true, but I definitely felt happier having known Vera.
When she showed up back in my life, I was determined to forget about our night.
I wanted to focus on work, and I knew it was a waste of time to think about it.
There wasn’t going to be a repeat. We were just so different and butch wasn’t my type.
I tended to go for women that were a little more… put together, I guess.
That’s not to say Vera wasn’t. She had checked all of the right boxes outside of the physical things, but, clearly, she still managed to take my breath away, which I hadn’t realized was possible with someone like her.
It only took a forced fake-dating situation for me to open my eyes and see that what I was looking for, may have been right there all along.
“Vera is… different. She’s hardworking, dedicated, and so compassionate and patient. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever known. She pushes me to be a better version of myself, and I’m learning to let myself enjoy the things that make me happy,” I answered honestly.
“Well, I fully support your decisions and I just want you to be happy. And it seems like Vera is doing very well in that department. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy. I fully support dating outside your normal comfort zone.”
I was so far out of my comfort zone, but at least I was trying. I’d rather try and fail than regret not trying at all and always wonder what could’ve happened. It didn’t hurt that she could work magic with any part of her body.
“Enough about me, let’s talk about you and Drea. You’re really getting married!”
She laughed. “I know! How crazy is that? I mean, I’ve always wanted to be a wife, and I knew I would be someday.”
“But to Drea? Who the hell would’ve ever thought that would’ve happened?!”
“I know, right? Life is crazy sometimes. But have you to thank for all of this.”
“Me? Why?”
“Because, if it weren’t for your meddling and forcing us to work together, we wouldn’t be here.
You and your successful business kept you away more this time, and it forced us to work alone together.
Forced me to see what we had in front of us all along.
That is the greatest gift you could’ve given me, and I don’t know how to ever repay you, or tell you I’m sorry enough for what we put you through. ”
I smiled, hoping if I crinkled my eyes enough, the tears wouldn’t come out.
“Babe, we’ve been over this. All is forgiven, I promise.
I understand why you guys hid it from me.
And with the way I reacted, you made the smart choice.
I don’t do well with mixing business with pleasure, but you guys are so in love that I realized how small-minded I was being. I love you both so much.”
“We love you, too. And from the way Vera looks at you, it seems you two are handling your pleasure and business very well.” She winked and the blush that crept up was unmistakable.
We had only kissed a few times since her grandmother’s house, and we hadn’t done more than that since we first met.
That didn’t mean I didn’t want to, I just didn’t know what would happen after.
I was scared, to be honest. Of what I wanted, and whether or not it aligned with what she wanted.
Who knew what would happen once we got back to the real world.