Chapter 24
24
T he last rays of sunlight painted the Santa Monica sky in shades of orange and pink. Kate didn’t think she’d ever get tired of the view from her deck.
Arms slid around her waist from behind. Vanessa pressed against her back, her chin resting on Kate’s shoulder. Kate’s skin tingled where Vanessa touched her, the same electric response she’d felt all weekend. Her breath caught as Vanessa’s fingers splayed across her stomach.
Kate closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of Vanessa’s body against hers. The weekend at the cabin had changed everything, and Kate still couldn’t believe this was happening, that Vanessa felt the same way about her.
She turned in Vanessa’s arms, meeting those mesmerizing hazel eyes that now held such tenderness.
Vanessa’s phone buzzed in her pocket. With a slight frown, she reached between them to retrieve it, glancing at the screen.
“It’s Elliot,” she said, her thumb hovering over the answer button. “And it’s a video call.” She took a deep breath. “We can’t keep ignoring him.”
Kate nodded, and Vanessa answered the call, turning slightly so that Kate remained in the frame.
Elliot’s face filled the screen. His eyes lit up as he took in the sight of them together. “Look at you two. All cozy and always in character. I love it,” he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. “The photos from the weekend in the jacuzzi? I don’t know how you two keep outdoing yourselves. I take it you had a relaxing weekend away?”
Kate glanced at Vanessa, a silent understanding passing between them. Vanessa cleared her throat, drawing Elliot’s attention back to her.
“Elliot, we have something to tell you,” Vanessa said.
Elliot waited, his eyebrows raised in anticipation.
“We’re together,” Kate said, the words tumbling out in a rush. “For real.”
Vanessa chimed in. “After this weekend, neither of us are pretending.”
There was a beat of silence, and then Elliot’s face erupted into a smile so wide it seemed to stretch beyond the confines of the screen. His eyes sparkled with joy, and he let out a whoop of delight that startled Kate, making her jump slightly in Vanessa’s arms.
“I knew it!” Elliot exclaimed, his voice rising with each word. “I knew there was something special between you two! Oh, this is fantastic! I’m so happy for you both!”
He clasped his hands together, bouncing slightly in his seat as if he could barely contain his excitement. Kate couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. Vanessa’s arm tightened around her waist, and Kate leaned into the embrace.
“Obviously, this changes things,” Kate said.
“I understand completely,” Elliot said, his voice softening from its earlier excitement. “I’m stepping down.” He held up his hand in mock surrender.
Kate watched as Vanessa’s expression softened, her eyes misting over as she looked at their agent through the phone screen.
“Thank you,” Vanessa said, her voice thick with emotion. “For everything.” She paused, her fingers finding Kate’s and interlacing them. “If you hadn’t suggested this whole arrangement... Kate and I might never have gotten to know each other.”
Kate’s chest tightened at Vanessa’s words. She remembered that first dinner, how nervous she’d been sitting across from her idol, trying to hide years of admiration. Now here they were, together on her deck, holding hands while talking to their agent. The universe had a strange way of working things out.
“Oh, stop it. Seeing you both happy is all the thanks I need.” He dabbed at the corner of his eye. “Now, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone. Talk soon!”
Vanessa smiled as she hung up and slide her phone back into her pocket. Kate turned back toward the sunset, Vanessa’s arms wrapping around her once more. The last remnants of daylight painted the horizon in deep purples and golds, the ocean a dark mirror reflecting the fading colors. A cool breeze swept across the deck, carrying the salt air, and Kate pressed back into Vanessa’s warmth.
“I never thought I’d be standing here with you like this,” Kate whispered, her fingers trailing along Vanessa’s forearms.
Vanessa’s lips brushed against her neck.
Kate turned in Vanessa’s embrace, reaching up to cup her face. Everything about this moment felt perfect. The gentle crash of waves, the way Vanessa looked at her.
“Stay tonight?” Kate asked, her thumb ghosting across Vanessa’s jaw.
Vanessa’s gaze searched hers. “I’d love to.”
Hand in hand, they turned from the darkening sky and headed inside, leaving the last of the sunset behind them, their story now entirely their own.