Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
Kiera
Kiera sat at the dining table in Danica and Pete’s house, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee. The room was warm and inviting, filled with signs of their life together — cozy mismatched mugs, a half-finished crossword on the counter, Pete’s leather jacket slung over a dining chair. The faint scent of cinnamon lingered, a memory of a recent breakfast.
Across from her, Danica leaned against the counter, sipping her own coffee, looking impossibly well-rested in an oversized CSU sweatshirt and joggers. The morning light filtered through the large kitchen windows, making her light brown hair glow golden, and she felt at ease around Danica for the first time in a long time.
Gladys lay sprawled on the floor beside them, her massive head resting on Kiera’s foot. She let out a deep, contented sigh, her stubby tail wagging slightly even in sleep.
“So,” Danica said, drawing out the word as she arched a brow. “Are we actually going to close the book on Telluride?”
Kiera took a long sip of her coffee, buying herself a few seconds. “Thought we already did.”
“We talked,” Danica said. “But I don’t think we finished.”
Kiera sighed and set her mug down. “Yeah. You’re right.”
She looked at Danica, her expression open for once — no edge, no evasion.
“I was wrong,” Kiera said quietly. “About all of it. I pushed too hard, I overstepped, and I didn’t listen when you told me what you needed. I wanted to fix things, but I wasn’t actually showing up for you in the way that mattered.”
Danica didn’t interrupt. She just waited.
Kiera’s voice dropped. “I hurt you. And I hate that I did.”
The silence between them stretched, but this time it didn’t feel uncomfortable. It felt honest.
“I appreciate you saying that,” Danica said finally. “I think I needed to hear it in plain language. No ‘I thought I was helping,’ no justifications. Just… that.”
“You deserved that the first time,” Kiera said, her voice tight. “I’m sorry, Dani.”
Danica reached across the counter and gave Kiera’s hand a squeeze. “Thank you.”
A beat. Then she smirked. “But if you try to fix my love life again, I’m calling in backup.”
Kiera raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess. Gladys.”
“She has very sharp elbows,” Danica said, rubbing at a part of her ribs as if remembering that very fact.
Kiera laughed, a little breathless with relief. “Noted.”
Danica tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly. “Speaking of people you shouldn’t be trying to fix… what’s going on with you ?”
Kiera blinked. “What?”
“You’re glowing,” Danica said, grinning. “Either you’ve joined a cult or you’re into someone.”
“I am not glowing.”
Danica just sipped her coffee, eyes twinkling. “That’s exactly what someone who’s glowing would say.”
Kiera hesitated, but the words were out before she could stop them. “Izzy asked me on a date.”
There was a sharp clatter as Pete, who had clearly been lurking in the hallway, dropped whatever she was holding. A second later, she burst into the kitchen holding a broken picture frame. “What?!”
Kiera startled. “Jesus, Pete.”
Danica just blinked, watching Pete set the broken frame down on the kitchen counter.
Pete crossed her arms, eyes wide with glee. “Izzy asked you out?”
Kiera sighed, rubbing her temples. “Yes, and now I regret saying anything.”
Danica, to her credit, looked pleased. “I knew it.”
Pete spun on Danica. “Did you know? Did you know and not tell me?”
“I only suspected,” Danica said, wiggling her eyebrows. "How do you feeeel? Do you like her? I mean, I know there's always been something there, but..."
Pete turned back to Kiera. “You said yes, right?”
“I said yes,” Kiera mumbled. “I feel… I don’t know. I’m nervous, but I’m excited, and I’m trying not to freak out about what it all means . Maybe it won’t even turn into anything, and we’ll just decide we’re better as friends, you know? And then I’ve freaked out about my identity for nothing.”
Danica nodded, but Pete tilted her head in confusion. “If it doesn’t work out with Izzy, it’s not like you’re just out of luck. If you’re into the idea of tiny tomboys, the queer community has plenty,” Pete said.
Kiera flushed and Danica laughed, smacking Pete’s arm. “That’s not the point, babe,” Danica chided.
“I’m trying not to overanalyze and freak out, okay?” Kiera took a deep breath.
Danica grinned. “Look at you, dating.”
“It’s one date,” Kiera said, rolling her eyes. “Can we not make a thing out of this?”
“No, we absolutely will be making a thing out of this,” Pete said. “You have been pining after Izzy for literal years .”
“I have not ? — ”
“College, Kiera,” Danica echoed, pointing her coffee stirring spoon at her. “ College. You didn’t even tell me you kissed her, but then when I learned it, it all makes sense now.”
“It was one kiss,” Kiera muttered.
Pete raised an eyebrow. “The story changed like four times. First it was, ‘We were drunk, it didn’t mean anything.’ Then it was, ‘It was a dare.’ Then suddenly it was, ‘We were just experimenting.’ And then... radio silence for, like, a decade.”
“You think we didn’t clock what was actually going on?” Danica asked, grinning. “You’d light up like a sparkler anytime she texted you. Even when it was just some dumb meme.”
“And she always asked about you,” Pete added casually. “Even years after graduation. Not constantly, but enough that it stuck.”
Kiera blinked. “She did?”
“Oh yeah,” Pete said. “Any time we caught up. ‘How’s Kiera?’ ‘Is Kiera still teaching?’ Super chill, very casual, obviously loaded.”
Danica leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “You two have been orbiting each other forever. It all makes so much sense now.”
Kiera groaned, slumping back in her chair. “You’re both deeply annoying.”
Pete leaned over and stole a sip of Danica’s coffee. “Also, you’re totally glowing.”
“I am not glowing.”
Danica grinned. “See, I told you.”
Kiera shook her head, but she couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at the corner of her mouth.
Gladys let out a heavy sigh and dropped her head onto Kiera’s lap like she was bored of all the drama.
Kiera scratched behind the dog’s ears. “Even the dog thinks you’re being ridiculous.”
Danica set her mug down and clapped her hands together. “Alright. First date. That means we’re dressing you.”
Kiera groaned. “Oh, I don’t?—”
“Oh, yes ,” Danica said, already standing. “Upstairs. Now.”
Pete grinned. “I’ll get the accessories.”
Kiera buried her face in her hands. “This was a mistake.”
Danica dragged her off the stool, already leading her toward the stairs. “No take-backs, sweetheart.”
Kiera huffed, but when she caught Pete’s delighted grin and Danica’s excited energy, she felt something settle in her chest — something light, something good.
Kiera fastened her earrings, smoothing a hand over her dress as she took one last glance in the mirror.
She stared at her reflection. It’s just dinner. With Izzy. Who you kissed. Twice. And who talked you through a very satisfying orgasm over the phone. As friends do.
She was being cringey. She had been on dates before. She had been in serious relationships. She had gotten married, had kids, gotten divorced. And yet, somehow, meeting Izzy at a small Italian restaurant in Sloan’s Lake felt more intimidating than any of those things.
Tonight was supposed to be a step forward — to explore her connection with Izzy, and to do something out of her comfort zone. But before she could grab her purse, a small sniffle from the hallway stopped her.
"Mama?" Quinn’s voice was thick with tears as she shuffled toward her, clutching at her ear. "It hurts."
Kiera’s heart sank. She knelt down, brushing damp curls from Quinn’s flushed face. "Your ear, baby?"
Quinn nodded miserably, her lower lip trembling. She'd always been prone to ear infections, just like Eliza, so at least Kiera was in familiar territory. Any thought of going out vanished instantly. Kiera scooped her daughter up, holding her close as she grabbed her phone from the dresser.
"Hey," Kiera said when Izzy picked up. "I have to reschedule. Quinn’s not feeling great."
There was no hesitation in Izzy's voice. "Do you need anything? Medicine, soup..."
"No, no, we’re okay. I just don’t want to leave her. I'm sorry."
"Don't you dare apologize. Would it be okay if I brought dinner to you?"
Kiera’s voice caught and she cleared her throat. "Izzy, you don’t have to do that."
Kiera could hear Izzy's smile as she talked. "I know I don’t. But I want to. I want to see you and I want to help. I could grab some pizzas and keep you all fed and happy while the little one convalesces, if that’s okay with you?"
“Pizza?” Kiera hesitated, glancing down at Quinn, who sniffled but perked up slightly at the mention of pizza. There was a part of her that did want Izzy here, in her space, with her girls. "Okay," she said softly. "Yeah. That actually sounds really nice."
She texted her parents, insisting they go out to a nice dinner instead of staying home on babysitting duty, and by the time Izzy arrived, arms full with pizza boxes and a bag of snacks, Kiera started to feel more at ease
Izzy hovered in the doorway of the living room as Kiera shut the door and put the bags of snacks in the kitchen. Izzy paused, balanced the boxes and Kiera took in the scene — Quinn curled up under a blanket on the couch, Eliza sitting cross-legged on the floor, eyeing her suspiciously.
"What kind of pizza?" Eliza demanded, arms crossed.
“Whoa now, let’s use our kind words,” Kiera said from behind Izzy, “Especially when we’re meeting Mom’s friends. Eliza, this is Izzy.”
“And I’m Quinn,” croaked the moving blanket on the couch.
“Thank you for bringing pizza and it’s nice to meet you, but what kind of pizza is it?” Eliza said, still stone-cold.
Kiera tried to shoot a desperate look of apology toward Izzy.
Izzy glanced down, suddenly looking unsure. "Uh, cheese, pepperoni, and some fancy one with mushrooms and goat cheese."
Eliza wrinkled her nose. "That’s Mom’s."
Izzy pulled a disgusted face instantly. "Yeah, I figured. She’s got interesting taste."
Quinn, still sniffling, peeked out from her blanket. "Did you bring dessert?"
Izzy hesitated, then lifted the extra bag she’d brought. "I didn’t know what you guys liked, so I got some options. Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and, uh... gummy bears?"
Eliza studied her for a long moment, then nodded approvingly. "You can stay."
Kiera stifled a laugh as Izzy exaggeratedly wiped her brow and let out a breath, like she’d passed some kind of secret test.
Izzy was dressed up — not anything extravagant, just a simple button-down and dark jeans, but the effort was there, and it caught Kiera off guard. Izzy was always more Patagonia fleece and cutoff shorts than crisp button-downs. The sleeves of the shirt were slightly too long, cuffed once at the wrists, the fabric just a little too big on her frame.
Kiera laughed. “I was going to ask if Pete dressed you, but I already know the answer.”
Izzy rolled her eyes but grinned. “She picked out, like, five options. This was the least tragic.”
Kiera let her eyes skim over Izzy again, the way Izzy had neatly tucked the front of the shirt into her jeans like she was trying, but not too hard . “I like it.”
Izzy’s grin softened, and Kiera’s felt giddy at the sight.
The evening unfolded with a surprising ease. They sat on the couch, plates balanced in their laps, debating which Disney movie to put on. Quinn, despite her earache, kept sneaking bites of Eliza’s pizza, and Eliza retaliated by stealing sips of Quinn’s juice box. Izzy took it all in stride, tossing in playful commentary and glancing sideways at Kiera whenever their hands brushed.
Eventually, Eliza, turned to Izzy. "Are you one of Mom’s friends who she goes on trips with?" she asked, curiosity in her voice.
Izzy froze for half a second before looking at Kiera, unsure what to say.
"Yeah, she’s one of my friends from college," Kiera supplied easily.
Eliza squinted. "You look younger than my mom."
Kiera scoffed. "That’s an inside thought, honey."
"Thank you. Our other friend Maggie has me on a strict tretinoin regimen," Izzy said, deadpan. "When you’re older, I can share my secrets with you."
Eliza nodded sagely. "You know, you can call me Lizzie, if you want. Aunt Danica does."
Izzy smiled. "Izzy and Lizzie. What a good pair of names, huh?"
Eliza beamed. “You can sit beside me on the couch, if you want.”
“Okay,” Izzy said, positively beaming. “I’d love that. Can I sit beside your mom, too?”
Eliza shrugged. “If you want to.”
Kiera snorted in amusement as Izzy settled on the couch beside her, Eliza climbing to sit on Izzy’s side.
As the night stretched on and Muppet Treasure Island hit its stride, Quinn, half-asleep, burrowed deeper against where she was koala-ed into Kiera’s side. "Mom?" she murmured sleepily.
Kiera smoothed a hand over her daughter’s hair. "Yeah, baby?"
"Can Izzy stay for a sleepover?"
Kiera glanced at Izzy, who was already looking at her, amusement twinkling in her eyes.
"I’m honored," Izzy said. "But I have to get back and feed the spider living in my hotel room or she gets mad and eats all of my left shoes."
Quinn and Eliza giggled in amusement.
Kiera shook her head, laughing softly. "Nice try, Quinn."
Quinn made a small sound of disappointment but didn’t argue. Within minutes, her breathing evened out, her small body finally giving in to sleep. Eliza wasn’t far behind, her head resting against Izzy’s shoulder.
Kiera let out a slow breath, taking in the scene before her. The dim lighting, the comfort of a movie she’d seen dozens of times quiet in the background, the warmth of her daughter curled against her. Izzy — here, familiar, fitting into Kiera’s life, cozied up with Eliza like it was the most natural thing in the world… She was surprised by how right it felt.
She had never let herself think too hard about what could be between them. About what it would mean to let Izzy all the way in. Tonight, sitting here like this, still feeling the fizzing giddiness in her stomach even with a sick kid and a kids’ movie on the screen, she couldn’t help but wonder.
Once the girls were tucked in and the house had gone calm with quiet, Kiera tiptoed back downstairs. She found Izzy in the living room, collecting plates and folding up the stray blankets that had ended up in a heap during movie night.
“You really didn’t have to clean up,” Kiera said, lingering in the doorway.
Izzy glanced back over her shoulder, smiling. “I know. But I wanted to.”
Kiera walked over, brushing her fingers against Izzy’s as she took one of the plates from her hands. That tiny contact was enough to spark something — not just electricity, but something steadier beneath it. Something that had been waiting all night for space to bloom.
“Thanks for a really nice date,” Izzy said.
Kiera raised a skeptical brow. “You had to watch Muppet Treasure Island with a koala kid clinging to you. You’re sure it was okay?”
“I loved it. Underrated movie, in my opinion. The cuddles were a bonus.”
Kiera blushed, tenderness filling her chest.
They moved toward the door together, slow and quiet, the air between them thick with possibility. Kiera reached for the handle, but Izzy’s hand got there first. Their fingers brushed again, this time staying there, neither of them pulling away.
Izzy looked up, eyes searching hers. “What?”
Kiera didn’t answer. She just leaned in, let herself close the last few inches, and kissed her — slow, certain, wanting. Izzy kissed her back immediately, like they’d both been waiting for permission.
Her hands came to rest at Kiera’s waist, and Kiera tilted forward into her like she couldn’t help it. One kiss turned into another, deeper now, more urgent. Kiera let out the softest sigh against Izzy’s mouth, her fingers curling in the fabric of Izzy’s shirt.
And that’s when the front door opened.
Keys jingled, the doorknob turned, and Kiera barely had time to break the kiss and jump back — breathless, lips tingling, heart absolutely slamming in her chest.
“Oh!” her mom said brightly, stepping inside with her tote bag slung over one arm. “We’re home!”
Her dad followed a second later, stopping short just behind her. “Evening.”
Kiera froze, her hand still half-raised, like she could pretend she’d just been… gesturing.
Izzy straightened, cheeks flushed, but to her credit, she didn’t bolt. She smiled — smiled, like this wasn’t mortifying — and gave a small wave. “Hi. Sorry. I was just heading out.”
Kiera wanted to crawl under the couch and die. “We were just… uh…”
“Kissing, yes, we noticed,” her mom said, not unkindly. “Izzy, it’s so nice to see you again after so long. We’ve heard so much about you lately.”
“You have?” Izzy asked, voice a little too high.
Kiera groaned internally.
Her mom smiled. “Only good things, I promise.”
Her dad gave a nod that somehow managed to be both chill and conspiratorial. “She lights up when she talks about you.”
“Dad.”
“What? It’s true.” Her dad raised a shoulder in a shrug, tossing his keys onto the entryway table behind Kiera.
Kiera wanted to melt into the floor. She could feel Izzy trying very, very hard not to laugh beside her.
“Well,” Izzy said, eyes dancing, “I should probably go before I get you in more trouble.”
“You’re not in trouble,” her mom said cheerfully. “Unless you count making us feel ancient for interrupting.”
Izzy bit her lip, grinning now. She turned to Kiera, her voice softer. “Text me later?”
Kiera nodded, still pink with embarrassment but also strangely, absurdly happy. “Yeah. Definitely.”
She walked Izzy to the door, this time without touching her, and watched her go with a flutter still working its way through her chest.
Her parents disappeared down the hall, already talking about leftovers, like nothing had happened at all.
Kiera stood there a moment longer, hand on the doorknob, trying not to grin like a fool.
She felt fifteen. And seen. And maybe just a little bit adored.