Chapter Sixteen
Sixteen
Avery woke up the morning of the baby shower to Taylor nuzzling into her neck.
“That tickles,” she said, trying not to giggle.
“Mmm, good to know,” Taylor said. She kissed the nape of Avery’s neck, and then ran a hand down her body. “Does that mean you want me to stop?”
Avery kept her eyes closed and smiled to herself. She loved waking up in bed with Taylor.
“I didn’t say that ,” she said.
“Well.” Taylor dropped a kiss on her upper back. “Sometimes people don’t like being tickled, so I wanted to make sure you weren’t one of those people.” Taylor kissed her all along her spine, gentle little kisses that made Avery’s whole body tingle.
“I don’t like being tickled by most people,” Avery said, which was true. Most people didn’t know how to stop, but Taylor did. “But I like everything you do to me.” That was also true, but it was something she probably wouldn’t have said if she’d been fully awake. She didn’t want Taylor to think she was falling too hard. She didn’t want to fall too hard. She wasn’t, actually, falling hard at all. It was just that she was having great sex on a regular basis, so of course she wanted to be around Taylor all the time. But that didn’t mean anything. This thing was going to end, at some point, she didn’t know when, but probably soon, and she knew that. She wasn’t one of those people who were going to get their heart broken by Taylor.
“What a coincidence,” Taylor said as she kissed the small of her back. “Because I like everything you do to me, too.” Taylor dropped a kiss right in the center of first one ass cheek, and then the other, making Avery giggle again. She turned onto her back to find Taylor grinning at her.
“What can I say, I love your ass,” she said. “It’s so soft and round, and it fits into my hands so well.”
Avery couldn’t help but smile as she looked at Taylor. Taylor made her feel so good about her body. So good in her body. Part of it was absolutely that Taylor clearly liked her body so much and had since the very beginning. She’d given Avery compliments that were so casual and matter-of-fact that after a while, Avery couldn’t help but believe her. But a big part of it was also that she found Taylor so attractive that it helped her realize how Taylor—and other people—could be attracted to her . She loved the dimples in Taylor’s thighs; the curve of her belly; her strong, solid arms; and her round, substantial ass. She discovered something new about Taylor’s body almost every day.
“You know,” she said, “there are other parts of my body that are soft and round and fit into your hands well.”
Taylor’s mouth dropped open in mock surprise.
“Are there now?” She moved her hands back up and cupped Avery’s breasts. “Mmm, were you talking about these?”
Avery closed her eyes as Taylor’s fingers moved around the outsides of her breasts, and then slowly inward, until they circled her nipples.
“I was,” she said. “My God, I love it when you do that.” She sighed as one of Taylor’s hands drifted down to move between her legs. “And I really love it when you do that. How did I get so lucky?”
Taylor chuckled as her mouth followed her fingers.
“We make our own luck, you know.” Taylor pushed Avery’s legs open, and Avery propped herself up on her elbows. As much as she loved it when Taylor went down on her, she loved watching her do it almost as much. The way her hands lingered on her inner thighs; the way she smiled with anticipation every time, like she couldn’t wait to do it; the way she manipulated Avery’s body like she was playing an instrument; that sly little grin on her face when she slid first one finger inside, then a second; how serious she looked when she really got into it, like it was the most important thing in the world.
And then Avery’s vision blurred; she couldn’t hold herself up anymore. She had to give herself over to how her body felt, like nothing could ever feel better than what Taylor was doing right now, but then Taylor went faster, and then faster, and Avery could barely breathe, her whole body tensed up, and then she gasped and dug her fingers into Taylor’s shoulder and arched her back as the waves of pleasure hit her, so good it was almost painful, so good she had no idea what noises she was making and didn’t care, she just wanted to prolong this as much as she could. And then with one final gasp, she collapsed, still holding on to Taylor.
When she could talk again, she turned to Taylor and smiled.
“And that was before you knew anything about the surprise I have for you today,” she said.
Taylor’s eyes opened wide.
“A surprise? That sounds exciting. Is it that I don’t have to go to the shower after all? Is it that there’s going to be one of those dunk contests and I’m going to get to dunk Sloane? Ooh, ooh, or is one of the games going to be a pie-in-the-face game, and I’m going to get to—”
Avery put a finger on Taylor’s lips, but she couldn’t help but laugh.
“Stop it. Sloane isn’t that bad. And you have to go to the shower, you’re hosting it, you lost the bet, remember?”
Taylor sighed, then grinned that devilish grin of hers.
“Oh, trust me, I remember. Fine, what’s my surprise?”
Avery laughed as she flipped over on top of Taylor.
“You don’t know the meaning of the word surprise , do you? You’ll see, after the shower.”
Taylor let out a loud groan.
“ After the shower? But what if I can’t wait that long?”
Avery didn’t answer that, she was too busy with Taylor’s breasts. She sucked one nipple into her mouth and heard a gratifying moan from Taylor.
“Are you saying you want me to stop this?” she asked, after she released Taylor’s nipple. She rubbed it back and forth between her fingertips, and watched Taylor watch her fingers. “Because I don’t want to stop, but I will if you want me to.”
She started to move her hand away. Taylor grabbed it and put it back.
“You have an evil streak, has anyone ever told you that? It’s one of the things I’ve liked about you from the beginning. And no, fuck you, don’t stop a single thing you’re doing.”
Taylor pushed her head back down, and Avery laughed.
Later, she lay in bed with her coffee and watched Taylor get dressed.
“I’ll be at the winery by eleven,” she said. “I think Sloane is planning to get there at the same time.”
Taylor took a gulp of her coffee. She’d begrudgingly admitted that Avery made decent coffee, an enormous compliment coming from her.
“I’m going to be very glad when this is over, you know that, right?”
Avery laughed out loud.
“All of Napa Valley knows that. Probably most of Sonoma, too.”
Taylor walked over to the bed and kissed her hard.
“Okay, see you soon.” She walked to Avery’s bedroom door and stopped. “And if I haven’t said it enough, thank you for everything that you’re doing for this shower. This would be a nightmare without you.”
Avery knew Taylor was grateful for her help, but it still felt very good to hear that.
“You’re very welcome. See you later.”
Taylor opened her eyes wide.
“Don’t you think it would be just as much of a surprise if you told me about it now?”
Avery burst out laughing.
“It absolutely would not be, but nice try.”
Sloane was already at the winery when Avery got there, even though Avery was right on time. Taylor was going to have to get over this thing about Sloane at some point. She was pretty sure Taylor resented how close Sloane was with Erica, but right now, Taylor and Sloane were companionably setting up the decorations in the garden, so Avery just joined in to help Taylor put up the umbrellas to shade the food tables, and all three of them set up the balloon backdrop. (They’d decided on balloons, since flowers would wilt in the late September heat.)
Then Callie arrived with the food, with Erica and Sam right behind her. Avery had been curious to meet Sam, whom Taylor seemed to like just fine but never really mentioned. Avery understood why when she met her; Sam was very nice but quiet. Erica was definitely the extrovert in that pair. Sam smiled at Avery without being effusive but seemed very appreciative of all their hard work.
Avery had been nervous to be at Erica’s shower, where she felt like she didn’t really belong. It would be one thing if she were actually the event planner, but she was there as Taylor’s sort-of girlfriend, and everyone else already knew one another except for her. Would they all give her a look like they were wondering who she was and what she was doing there?
But no one did that. There were people she knew—Taylor’s friend Callie, of course, and Liz and Dani and Nadia, whom she’d met at trivia, and they all gave her hugs and said how happy they were to see her. And everything at the shower went according to plan. They made flower crowns, and all wore them—even Taylor. They played the games that Taylor and Avery and Sloane had come up with, and when people laughed until they cried at the answers to the “invent a new baby food flavor” game, they exchanged pleased glances.
“Time for the toasts,” Avery whispered to Taylor. Taylor nodded and caught Sloane’s eye, and they both went over to Erica and Sam. Sloane tapped her wineglass in an attempt to get everyone’s attention, but that accomplished nothing. Then Taylor whistled, and the crowd quieted down immediately.
“Does everyone have a glass of something?” Taylor asked. She didn’t wait for an answer. “Good. Thank you all so much for coming. As many of you know, baby showers are not, shall we say, my usual milieu—” Everyone laughed, including Erica. “But Erica and Sam and their upcoming baby mean so much to me that I would do anything for them, and that includes throwing a baby shower.” There was more laughter, and Taylor grinned at the crowd. She looked right at Avery, and her grin got bigger. Avery couldn’t help but laugh again; Taylor might not be big on baby showers, but she was great at talking to crowds, that was for sure.
“And I’m serious about that,” Taylor continued. “Erica and I have been friends for what feels like forever—she’s been there for me in just about every way imaginable, and I am so very happy for her and Sam and am thrilled to help them welcome their new addition to the world. Cheers to all three of them.” Everyone lifted their glasses as Taylor turned to Erica. Her smile and eyes both softened. “Auntie Taylor can’t wait to meet you.”
By the end of Taylor’s short speech, her eyes were, if not full of tears, at least slightly damp, and Erica was openly weeping. She stood up and pulled Taylor into a hug. Taylor patted Erica’s stomach and said something to it that made Erica burst into a fresh set of tears and pull her into another hug.
Once Erica had stopped crying, Sloane cleared her throat.
“I also wanted to say a little something. Most of you don’t know me that well—Erica and I are relatively new friends, we only met earlier this year after Erica and Sam moved in next door to me. Even though I’d been in the neighborhood for over a year, I felt like I didn’t really know anyone yet. I can be kind of shy, and I work from home, and my daughter is still pretty little, so I wasn’t going out and meeting a lot of people. And then Erica and Sam moved in, and it felt like my whole life changed. I was…in a very lonely place then, with a stressful job and a baby, and Erica’s friendship has meant so much to me.” She stopped, swallowed, and went on. “Erica, I am so grateful for your friendship, and I’m honored that I was able to help you and Sam out in any small way with this shower. To all of you friends and family of Erica and Sam, but especially Taylor, thank you so much for welcoming me, but I would have expected nothing less from any friend of Erica. Erica, thank you for everything, and I know I speak for all of us when I say that I can’t wait to meet that baby of yours!”
They all toasted again, and Erica sobbed even more. Erica hugged Sloane, while Taylor smiled at the two of them. She caught Avery’s eye and shrugged. Taylor walked across the party to her side.
“Okay, fine,” Taylor said in her ear. “You were right about Sloane. She’s not that bad. I may have been wrong there.”
Avery smiled and put her hand on Taylor’s back. When was the last time someone she was dating had admitted to being wrong? She didn’t think it had ever happened.
“That was a very sweet speech she gave, it’s true. But yours was better.”
Taylor looked half-pleased, half-embarrassed.
“I don’t know if that’s true, but thanks. It was…I mean, Erica’s friendship means a lot to me. I feel kind of like a jerk now after being so bitchy about Sloane. Maybe I’ll tell Erica that. Not now, she has to open her presents. Plus, that would probably make her cry, and I feel like she’s going to be dehydrated if she cries any more; but later.”
Avery rubbed the small of Taylor’s back, and Taylor put her arm around Avery’s waist.
“Good idea,” Avery said. “And thank you for the reminder.” She raised her voice. “It’s time for presents!”
Taylor felt so much warmth and love for Erica as she watched her open her presents. In the end, she was glad that she’d thrown her this shower, and that she’d been able to be a big part of this important day for Erica. She was even glad she’d thrown the shower with Sloane. And miraculously, it had gone well.
The miracle workers, of course, were Avery and Sloane. Either Avery or Sloane could have thrown a shower all by themselves and done an incredible job, but Taylor certainly couldn’t have. Could they have thrown this particular shower, which had been a great meld of Erica and Sam, without her? No, but she didn’t fool herself that they would have managed just fine on their own. But she was glad that she’d been a part of this, for Erica’s sake, and her own. And most importantly, Erica seemed to be having a great time.
Taylor saw Erica’s mom pat her on the shoulder, before walking over to Taylor.
“Unfortunately, we have to leave now, but the shower was lovely,” she said to Taylor.
“Oh, thank you so much, I appreciate that, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it,” Taylor said. “Anything for Erica.”
Erica’s mom nodded and gave her a firm handshake before she left. Erica looked up and watched them leave and then winked at Taylor. Now Erica could truly relax. She had a pile of gifts next to her, which Sloane—because she was Sloane—was neatly stacking into a set of fancy reusable bags that she’d conjured out of nowhere. Honestly, thank God for Sloane.
Taylor saw Erica pick up the enormous package wrapped in plain brown paper and watched her open the card. She mentally read it along with Erica.
“Don’t ask me to change any of these. Love you, Taylor.”
Erica grinned at her, and Taylor grinned back.
“I have a feeling I know what these are,” Erica said, and tore open the package. Every possible variety of diaper came tumbling out.
“A year’s supply,” Taylor said to her. “Just tell me which one your favorite is, and I’ll start sending them your way.”
Erica held out her arms to Taylor, with more tears streaming down her face, and Taylor shook her head.
“No time for tears, we can hug later! Keep opening!”
Erica laughed, wiped her face, and reached for another present.
A few minutes later, Sam whispered something to Erica and stood up. Erica frowned at her and started to whisper something back, then sighed and put a smile on her face. Taylor recognized that face. That was the “Erica is pissed but trying not to show it” face. What was going on?
Sam walked over to Taylor.
“I have a work call that I can’t miss, so I’m heading home, but thanks so much for everything you’ve done for this shower. I know Erica is thrilled. You or Sloane can give Erica a ride home, right?”
Ah, that’s why Erica was pissed. Taylor had a feeling that this work call—if not exactly fabricated—could have happened at a different time. Sam had even less of a tolerance for things like baby showers than Taylor did.
“Yeah, I’m sure one of us can get Erica home,” Taylor said. “And as for the shower, I’m happy Erica is having a good time; I was glad to do it.” Sam met her eyes, and they both laughed. “Okay, I was glad to do it in the end . Why don’t Avery and I help you get some of these presents in your car, so that Erica doesn’t have to worry about that later?”
Taylor, Avery, and Sam each grabbed two of the bags full of presents.
“I don’t know what most of this stuff even is,” Sam said on the way to the parking lot. “Guess I have a few months to figure all this out.”
“Seven weeks!” Avery said. “That is, unless Erica is late.”
Was that a flash of panic that she saw in Sam’s eyes?
“Seven weeks,” she said. “Right. I should know that.”
When they got to the car, Avery nudged Taylor.
“Do you want to head back and grab the rest, while we load everything into the trunk?”
“Good idea.”
Taylor could hear the chatter from the party as she walked back from the parking lot, and she smiled when she heard Erica’s high, infectious laugh. Even if she’d been upset about Sam leaving, she was okay.
“Okay, quick,” Liz said. “Before they come back, what do we all think of Taylor and Avery?”