Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
VERA
The entire walk down to the restaurant, my hands and eyes never left Cara. I was trying to play it cool, but I think I failed. What else was I supposed to do when she looked like that? She had so much skin showing, and we were playing a part, after all.
Granted, I didn’t think we were playing anymore. At least, I wasn’t, but I’d never been pretending. I wasn’t lying when I said it all ended tonight. After dinner, I’d finally get mi princesa.
The restaurant was right on the beach and it was gorgeous at night.
The sun had almost set completely. There were tables and chairs set up in rows and lights were strung all around.
Our table was set up in the back. There was one long table for the entire wedding party and the family of one of the bridesmaids.
It seemed we were one of the first ones there. Kaia and Daisy had beaten us, but no one else had arrived yet.
They greeted us with a smile and a wave. “Hi, guys! Cara, you look incredible. Vera, you look dapper as hell!” Kaia signed as she spoke and I thought it was very thoughtful of her to do that for Daisy.
“Thank you. You guys look gorgeous!” I replied. Daisy wore a cute little ivory-colored sleeveless dress and Kaia complemented her with a long spaghetti-strap beige silky dress.
“I know we’re a few minutes early? Where’s everyone else?” Cara asked, looking around.
I nodded toward the entrance, spotting the rest of our party. “Here they come now, actually. Perfect timing.”
“Finally, we were wondering if you were even going to show up,” Cara teased.
“Piss off. We’re still early, you know.”
We all exchanged hugs before Fallon and Mackenzie came over and everything started over again. I loved seeing everyone tease each other, then immediately show their love for one another.
Fallon hugged me first before going to Cara. They exchanged “you look gorgeous. No, you look gorgeous” before Cara went in to hug Mackenzie. Mackenzie looked at me and I gave her a small smile.
I patted her on the shoulder instead of going in for a hug. It was a start. “Mackenzie. Nice to see you again.”
She smiled and nodded. “It’s nice to see you as well. You look very dapper.”
I chuckled. “Dapper? I’ll take it.”
“I think the word you were looking for, Kenz, was sexy. She looks very sexy,” Cara said, settling back at my side. I smiled and kissed her forehead.
It was late and the sun had set, but there was still plenty of lighting for Daisy and Kaia to talk, not that they did much of that. They were just as bad as the rest of Cara’s friends, barely coming up for oxygen.
After everyone was settled in and our food and drinks were ordered, Drea stood up and tapped her glass of water with a knife to get everyone’s attention. The entire patio quieted down as she cleared her throat.
“Hello, everyone. I just wanted to thank you all for being here in Bali with us. You are all so important to us, and it means the world that you’re all here. I don’t have a big, long speech prepared, I just want everyone to have a good night.” She kissed Blair who took the mic next.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself. We love you all so much and appreciate everyone for taking time off work to be here. I know this wasn’t a cheap trip, so thank you. Now, let’s eat!”
Clapping and cheers erupted as Drea and Blair took their seats again. Fallon and Mackenzie stood up next and Mackenzie took the mic from Blair.
“Fallon has a speech prepared, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to say a little something about our Drea. When we first met, she was sweet. I miss the old Drea.” Everyone laughed, except Drea, who flicked her off.
“I’m joking, of course. Fallon and I’s relationship hasn’t always been perfect.
It took me a while to get my shit together, and I’ve made some mistakes I’m not proud of and I still regret them to this day.
Drea was in her best friend’s corner, as she should’ve been, and it took a while for me to earn back Drea’s trust. Drea, I love you and I’m so glad you didn’t write me off.
You’re one of my closest friends and I’ll cherish that forever.
I’ll also cherish the memory of you in the closet at my wedding. That was a sight I thought—”
“Piss off, love!” Drea shouted. Blair was covering herself in Drea’s shoulder while Fallon was laughing. I wanted to know what that was about, but I’d have to ask later.
After Mackenzie’s lovely speech, they exchanged hugs before it was Fallon’s turn. She was already tearing up, so I was expecting more of that from everyone.
“Babe. What the fuck? You’re getting married!
We used to cut out pictures in bridal magazines and create a collage of our perfect wedding.
When you came out to me one night at a random sleepover, I ripped out the men’s pictures and replaced them with women.
Who would’ve thought we’d end up here? I love you so much!
You’re not my best friend, you’re my sister, and I’m so incredibly grateful to know you.
I’m so fucking proud of the woman you’ve become, and I’m so happy for you.
And Blair, I feel like we’ve grown closer since we’ve met.
I cannot thank you enough for just existing next to Dre.
She’s in such a better place from just knowing you.
You bring out the absolute best in her, and I’m so thankful for that.
You two have been through a lot together. ”
She had to take a pause because she was crying too much and it was sad to see. I looked over to Cara who was crying too. Now that I looked around, everyone was crying. I felt awful. It was a sweet speech, but should I have been crying?
Fallon continued after a brief hug from her wife.
I’d give Mackenzie one thing, she treated her wife very well.
“Blair, what you did for Drea? Taking care of her when you weren’t obligated to, and you weren’t even together?
I will never forget that gesture. I will forever be indebted to you for that.
I believe her every time she says you saved her soul.
You’re the reason she’s still with us today. Thank you, Blair. Just thank you.”
Now I didn’t feel bad, because I was crying, too. It made sense now why everyone was crying. They all knew what happened.
I remember Drea telling me about it one afternoon while I was working in Kaia’s office. Kaia had come in saying the doctor’s office had called just to check in on things and I’d asked if she was alright.
We hadn’t known each other, not really, but she smiled and told me she was now.
She told me about her break up with Blair and the accident that almost cost her her life.
She told me how she believes Blair had saved her and I’d remembered thinking it was a beautiful story and proof that life was just too short.
Drea was part of the reason I went to the masquerade ball to begin with.
I had put dating on the back burner to focus on work and spending time with my abuela.
She’d kept pushing me to get out there more, and I’d just shrug it off.
But after Drea’s story, I decided to stop putting it off.
I wanted to find someone and I saw the ad for the ball and thought it was a sign from the universe.
Who would’ve thought I found the meaning of life dressed in red?
“And as a wedding present, we bought you a new chair for the store. We know how much you loved the old one, but I think it’s seen better days.” Fallon continued.
“Oh, it has definitely seen much better days.” Mackenzie winked at Drea who made a disgusting face.
I turned to Cara, confused. “Do I want to know what that means?”
She laughed and leaned in closer. So close her perfume was floating into my nostrils, making it very hard to concentrate on anything else.
“When Fallon and Mackenzie were keeping things casual, Drea sort of caught them on a chair in the back of the bookstore. I didn’t ask for any more details after that, because of our situation at the time, but Drea groans every time one of them brings it up.
She kept saying she needed to get rid of the chair, but never did and I’m not sure why.
If I knew Blair had done something on a piece of my furniture, I’d want to burn it. ”
I smiled. “Well, maybe we should see what the hype is all about.” I winked.
“Hmm, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“You know I’d love nothing more than to bend you over the arm of a chair, or a couch, or sit you on an island. Anywhere you’d like.” I reveled in the blush that appeared on her perfect cheeks.
She knew I was serious, and I knew she liked my ideas. I had so many things planned for us, and tonight would just be the beginning. At least, I hoped. I planned to make it so good she couldn’t get enough. Once I had her, I wasn’t letting her go.
“You’re making it very hard to pay attention to their speech, Vera.” My only reply was a wink.
Mackenzie and Fallon wrapped up their speech with a tearful hug to Drea and Blair. I was grateful to be a part of their special day, and I loved seeing everyone together. Their own little family being there for each other. It was something special to see, especially in a place like Bali.
I was having the best night of my life. I was sitting with a wonderful group of new friends.
Eating and drinking and just enjoying our time together.
And something had gotten into Cara. She couldn’t keep her hands off me all night.
I assumed it was for her friends, but when she started to rub my leg underneath the table where no one could see, I started to wonder if it was real or not.
When she moved her hand up higher and was toying with the waistband of my pants, I took in a breath. She was dangerously close to getting dragged out of the restaurant and taken to our room.