Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
DAISY
I had to get things back to normal. Kaia had been asking questions for the last three days and I hated the worried look she kept giving me. I didn’t want her to think something was wrong, so I kept doing my best to act normal. I was getting better at it, I thought.
It was totally normal to say your friend was attractive.
It didn’t have to mean anything. As a lesbian, of course I’d find another woman attractive.
It didn’t mean anything. Maybe I needed to go out?
It had been a while since my last date. I really hated dating, though.
I only dated because I wanted to find my person.
But I’d been taking some time away from that to focus more on work, and now to be there for Kaia.
She smiled when she saw me coming toward her. “All done.” I closed her laptop and put it on the couch next to her.
She frowned. “What are you doing? I was working.”
I nodded. “I know. Now you’re not. We are getting you off this couch and out there.” I pointed to the window.
“Why? It’s comfy in here and people are out there.”
I rolled my eyes. “Come on, it’ll be good for you.
I can see the worry line growing in the middle of your forehead.
You need a break, and I need a few things from the farmers market.
It’s the last weekend before they close for the season.
We can stop for hot chocolate on the way…
” I wiggled my eyebrows, knowing that would get her to agree.
She pouted for a few seconds longer before standing up. “Fine. But Duke’s going too. And you’re buying.”
I grinned, completely happy with those terms. “You’ve got yourself a deal. Now go get dressed.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We walked into the bustling bookstore, and I smiled at the twinkle in Kaia’s eyes. She loved the bookstore and I was so damn proud of her. I never grew bored of seeing her at work, which was why I was there so much instead of working from home.
Before we got our drinks, Drea came up to greet us, signing while speaking. “Hey, lovely ladies! How’s it going today?”
I smiled and waved. “It’s good. Just getting this one out of the house. We came for Rylee’s famous hot chocolate.”
She grinned. “It is delicious. Oh, Kaia, the construction team is here, if you want to go back and talk to them? See what’s going on?”
Kaia looked at me and back to Drea. “Oh. That’s okay. Maybe another time.”
I tapped her shoulder and frowned. “Kai, go ahead. I’ll be fine.
I’ll browse the store or something. This is important.
” I pushed her away and toward the back without another word.
Drea chuckled and I wondered why Kaia scowled at her.
I ignored it and made my way around the store.
I already knew every book they had, but I still liked to look at them.
I found a book that I’d read on my e-reader, but I wanted the physical trophy for my shelves, so I headed to the counter where Drea was checking out a customer.
She smiled at me when I walked up. “Is this all?” she asked.
I nodded, about to thank her, when I looked behind her.
Kaia came out of her office with someone from the construction company, by the looks of her outfit. She wore gray carpenter pants and a tight white T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up twice and tan work boots. She didn’t wear a vest, so I assumed she was only visiting.
They were smiling and laughing, and I wondered if she knew her. I’d never seen her before, and Kaia had never mentioned someone who looked like that.
Short dark hair, tattoos, and the most toned arms I’d ever seen. Thoughts of Kaia being lifted by those arms and pinned against a wall flooded my mind, and I jumped when Drea nudged my shoulder. I rubbed the sweat from my hands and turned to face her.
“You all right?”
I nodded and turned to face Kaia and the stranger. I tried to put on a polite smile, but with the way Kaia stared at me, I feared I looked constipated. What was wrong with me? So what if that was her type? Good for her. It wasn’t any of my business.
“Daisy, this is Veronica. She’s the head of the construction team Drea hired for my office. She was just showing me what they’ve done so far.” She turned to Veronica, who waved.
I was surprised when she started signing back.
“It’s nice to meet you, Daisy. You can call me Vera.
No one calls me Veronica except my abuela when I’m in trouble.
” She smiled, and I was taken aback. She was more polite than her appearance made her out to be, and I kind of felt like an ass. I just hoped she treated Kaia well.
“My little cousin is deaf, so I’ve picked up the very basics.
I’m a really great speller. I’ve got to head out, but it was so nice to meet you, Daisy.
You ladies enjoy your date. Kaia told me you’re going to a farmers market.
That sounds like fun.” She said something to Drea, who followed her to the back.
I turned to Kaia, who had dropped her smile. “I didn’t tell her it was a date. Let me go back and correct her.”
She turned around, but I stopped her. “No worries. It is kind of a date. A best friend date.”
I couldn’t read her expression. She was smiling, but it looked like the effort took every muscle in her face, and the look in her eyes was almost sad. “Yeah, totally.”
“Speaking of date, you two looked real chummy.” I wiggled my eyebrows.
“Who, Vera? Uh, not really. I’ve only met her a few times. Don’t give me that look. She’s not my type.”
The knot in my stomach loosened slightly, but I played it off as if I wasn’t relieved to find out Vera wasn’t her type. It shouldn’t have mattered to me anyway.
“What? Not your type? So your type isn’t a hot woman who looks like she could give you an orgasm with just a twitch of her arm muscle?”
She shook her head. Other than the slight blush across her cheeks, she didn’t seem fazed by my observation. “No, it’s not. She’s hot, that’s for sure. But I like my women… softer. She seems a little intimidating. Like a more butch version of Drea.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I can’t argue with that. Shall we get out of here and head to the market? We don’t have to stay long.”
She nodded. “Of course. I’m in no rush. You got me out, and now that I’m away from the house, I’m going along for the ride.” She linked her arm in mine, and we headed out the door.
The farmers market was unsurprisingly busy. I was thankful we were able to leave our car at the bookstore and didn’t have to worry about finding parking. Duke didn’t complain about the extra walking, either.
“What’s the first stop? Do you have anything specific you need, or are we just perusing?” Kaia asked once we stopped to give Duke some water.
I thought about it for a minute before answering. I didn’t have anything specific I needed; I just wanted to get us out of the house, and the market seemed like a good excuse. “I think the market will tell us what we need.”
She grinned and nodded, bending down to pet Duke. He wagged his tail and licked her, and I loved seeing it. I loved seeing the two of them interacting together.
We stopped at a few stands here and there. We tried samples of cheese and crackers, and even spicy pickles. I was glad I packed some water bottles, because spice and I didn’t get along unless it was in a book.
“Okay, can we look at things other than food? I’m going to have major heartburn later.”
I smiled. “For sure. I think I saw some jewelry over there.”
“Oh, I love that! Yes, let’s go there next, please.”
“Your wish is my command. Lead the way.”
She took Duke’s leash from me and headed toward the stand with earrings and necklaces.
She introduced herself to the person operating the booth and I wasn’t particularly a fan of his response.
His smile was friendly enough, but you could tell he didn’t want to be there.
Maybe it was his mom’s booth, or sister’s? He looked younger than us.
I ignored him and walked around, looking at the homemade jewelry. They were all gorgeous and had a turquoise theme in the designs. Kaia came up next to me and smiled as she looked at everything.
“See anything you like?” she asked. There were a lot of things I liked, and I couldn’t pick just one.
“They’re all so beautiful that I’m not sure what I like more.”
I held up a pair of raindrop earrings and a pair of studs. “Get them both.” She shrugged as if the decision was obvious. Which I supposed it was. They weren’t terribly expensive, and I didn’t think I could pick just one.
Determined, I walked up to the table to pay. I smiled politely and wasn’t surprised when he didn’t return it. I’d hoped by the time we were ready to go, whoever actually owned the booth would be back and friendlier, but I assumed they were on a break or something.
His lips moved like he was talking to me, but I couldn’t really read them. His eyes darted to Kaia when she said something. Probably telling him I was deaf, as always. Anywhere we went, she’d say something before I could.
I didn’t know what he was saying, but she signed at the same time, and clearly he was more irritated and less sympathetic by what she said. He rolled his eyes and scrunched up his nose like he smelled something disgusting.
“Forty dollars, please.” He said the words so slowly, almost in a mocking way. I could only imagine him yelling the words, thinking I’d hear if he was loud enough. I took out my card, and his eyes rolled even harder. Seriously, why was he even there if he was so miserable?
Kaia took my card and handed the man cash. She spoke and signed at the same time. “Here. Try to be a little more compassionate with your next customers.” She took my hand and led me away from the booth.
She apologized over and over about the encounter, and I said it was fine, but I asked to go home. She knew something was up, though she didn’t ask me about it on the walk home.
I appreciated having her in my corner and always having my back, but moments like those made me think about the future.
Was this how life would always be? People being rude and not understanding, and Kaia coming to my rescue?
Not even just Kaia, but a partner? Would I ever find someone who understood me and was patient with me the way she was?
Would they say they understood and that it didn’t bother them, but would they secretly resent me for something I had no control over?
We got home, and after making sure Duke was fed and taken care of, I said goodnight and went to my room. I’d had enough social interaction for one day and just wanted to be left alone.