Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
DAISY
“Are you sure your parents won’t mind if I tag along for dinner?” Kaia asked with a nervous expression.
I tried and failed to hide a smile. “Doodle, you know they love you. I’m pretty sure they love you more than they love me at this point. You’re the golden child who can do no wrong. Besides, they insisted I bring you. They told me if you didn’t go, I wasn’t allowed to.”
She blushed, and my heart warmed at the sight. “Now you’re being dramatic, but I believe you. We better get going if we don’t want to be late. You know your mom hates tardiness.”
I rolled my eyes. “This is what I mean! Such a rule follower. Let’s go, boss.” She scowled at me and put Duke’s leash on him before we headed out the door.
The house I grew up in was in Fairview, just about an hour out of Seattle. It was an average-sized house with a white fence. Typical American dream-style home. It was perfect.
My best friend Remy, her sister, Nova, and I grew up together. Their house was only a few blocks down from mine, and we’d ride our bikes back and forth.
When we pulled in, Kaia pointed out the pride shirt the porch goose was wearing, and smiled. My parents were very supportive when I came out, and they still did small things to show their allyship.
“Kaia!” My mother’s smile as she swung the door open was bright enough to blind someone. I just gave Kaia a knowing look. I told you so! She smiled proudly and hugged my mother before going for my father.
“I’m here too, Mom. In case you forgot your actual daughter,” I signed. She rolled her eyes and kissed my forehead.
“I’d never forget you, honey. I just didn’t want to be rude to our guest. I’m glad you brought her. She’s good for you.”
Thankfully, Kaia was too busy chatting with my dad to catch my mother’s words. I blushed and hugged her. Even though we had just been over a few weeks ago, a lot had happened since.
“Come on, girls, let’s get inside. Dinner’s almost ready.” I always appreciated when my parents signed when they spoke around hearing people. Kaia did the same thing, and it never failed to make my chest feel warm.
We smiled, and I put my hand on the small of Kaia’s back, letting her go in front of me. We immediately sat at the dinner table, and my mom went to go check on the food.
“Can I get you ladies anything to drink?” my dad asked, walking over to the drink cart.
“Water, please,” I replied.
“Yes, water would be lovely. Thank you, Mr. Fletcher.”
I rolled my eyes. “Kiss ass,” I signed when my dad was busy getting our drinks.
She smiled and shook her head. “I’m just being polite.” I adored Kaia. She was the perfect best friend.
My mom returned shortly after we got our waters. She had two plates in hand and set them in front of us. Mashed potatoes, meatloaf, asparagus, and macaroni and cheese filled our plates, and it looked delicious.
I grabbed her wrist to get her attention after she put my plate down. “Mom, you didn’t have to. We could’ve served ourselves.”
She smiled and kissed the top of my head, making me blush with embarrassment. “I know honey, but you work hard enough as it is. Plus, I know what my girls like.”
I didn’t work that hard, but who was I to argue with her? “Thanks, Mom.”
We waited for my parents to sit down and for my mother to tell us it was okay to eat. While I was starving, I wasn’t rude and I’d wait.
We all started eating, and I was surprised when my father signed. Usually he didn’t interact in a conversation unless he was being talked to first.
“So, what’s new with you girls? How’s the bookstore, Kaia? How’s your father?”
I looked at Kaia, and my stomach immediately bottomed out.
I could see the shine in her eyes, and I knew the tears were coming.
I rubbed her hand and squeezed it three times like I always did to let her know I was there.
She smiled and turned to my parents, raising her hands at the same time she opened her mouth to speak.
“The store is doing really well. We are renovating part of the back so I can have an office. Drea insisted I needed my own space even though I told her I was perfectly fine on one of the couches.” She smiled softly before it fell away.
I hated this for her. I never brought up her father unless she did. I didn’t want to upset her, and anytime someone mentioned him, I could tell she fought so hard to keep the tears away. Tonight wasn’t any different.
“My dad passed away a few weeks ago. He had another heart attack. Daisy’s been kind enough to let me stay with her for the time being.”
I looked toward my mother, who wore a sad expression and rested her hand on Kaia’s arm.
“I’m sorry, honey. That must be very difficult.
I’m glad my daughter finally moved you in.
I’ve been wondering when that would happen.
She adores you, dear, and so do we. If you need anything at all, you know we are always here for you. ”
I was so embarrassed, but Kaia just smiled as if she didn’t pick up on what she was saying. “She did tell me I was the favorite. And thank you, that means a lot to me, truly.”
“Of course, honey. We love both of our girls the same. I can’t wait to spoil the grandbabies you give me. I’m—”
I slammed my hands on the table to get my mother to stop word vomiting. “Mom!”
I couldn’t believe she just said that. I’d told her so many times that we were just friends, but mothers never listened. I gave Kaia an apologetic look, but the expression she gave me was confusing. I couldn’t read what her eyes were telling me.
She turned back to my mom and shook her head. “Daisy and I are just friends. I can’t help you on the grandkid front, I’m afraid. I’m sure someone else can, though.”
She shrugged and went back to eating as if nothing had happened. Something strange twisted in my gut at her words. I didn’t know why; we were just friends and we weren’t going to give her grandchildren. So why did seeing her correct my mom leave a sour taste in my mouth?
The conversation was dropped and we all went back to our plates without another word. I kept glancing at Kaia who wasn’t really eating her food. I nudged her to get her attention and asked what was wrong. She just smiled and said nothing and took a bite.
I didn’t believe her, but I wasn’t about to question her at dinner with my parents, so I left it alone. If it was something serious, she’d talk about it eventually. It was probably about my mom asking about her dad.
We stayed for another hour or so, eating and talking about things other than my lack of dating Kaia, and it was nice for us all to be together.
When we got home, I asked again if she was okay. She gave me a one-shouldered shrug and a sad smile. “I’m fine. I’m just thinking about my dad. I’m going to head to bed early. I’ll see you in the morning?”
I walked over and wrapped her in a tight hug, rubbing up and down her back. When I let go, she had tears in her eyes. I wiped them away and we said goodnight. I didn’t want to press the issue anymore. I wanted her to get some sleep, and we could start over tomorrow.
The next morning, I was sitting on the couch, trying to get some work done. I probably would’ve been more productive if I were sitting in my office, but I wanted to be comfortable.
I was stretching when Duke came running over and jumped on the couch next to me. I rubbed his head to say good morning. When I looked up, Kaia was walking from the hallway, yoga mat in hand and yoga pants clinging to her skin. A good morning indeed.
“Good morning. Time for yoga?” I asked, clearly knowing the answer.
She nodded. “Yes. Is that okay? I know you’re working, so I won’t bother you.”
I swept my hands around the room. “Please.” She smiled and set up in the corner. In my head, it sounded like I was begging for her to do yoga. If she wanted to relax by lifting her ass in the air, who was I to argue?
I tried not to watch her, I really did. I had so many emails to catch up on, and I needed to finish sizing out the project I was working on and get it sent over.
But Kaia was over there, bent over the mat, ass so perky and perfect, I couldn’t help it. I was only human, after all. I didn’t want to objectify my best friend, but ever since she’d moved in, she kept giving me things to look at and appreciate more than I normally would’ve.
I kept noticing little things that I used to brush off. The way her ass looked in any type of pants. The way her skin glistened after yoga or a run. The way all her sports bras were so thin you couldn’t not stare at her nipples peeking through.
I almost ran into the wall after seeing her topless.
I had never seen her sans bra before, and it did not disappoint.
After saying goodnight, I’d tried to go to bed and not think about her shoulders or her collarbones or her pink nipples.
My body had had other ideas, and I’d had no choice but to take care of the building ache between my thighs.
Masturbating had almost become a second language to me as I entered adulthood. Especially when I explored my sexuality and embraced the fact that I was a lesbian.
Since Kaia had moved in, I found myself doing it more frequently than before. Especially the night after our pickleball game. Watching the way she looked at me after admitting she saw me touching myself sent heat through me.
Seeing her eyes trail down my entire naked body before the showers sent an ache through me I had to force myself not to do anything about until we got home. Then her licking her lips sealed the deal. My brain did nothing but think about those lips for the rest of the day.
I hadn’t realized I had been staring at her butt until I blinked and she was looking at me with an arched eyebrow. “You okay over there?”
I shook my head and signed, “Yeah. Sorry. Spaced out for a second. I’m going to take Duke for a walk. Want to come?”
She frowned, picking up her yoga mat and rolling it up. I supposed yoga was done. “I wish I could. I’ve got to open today. The construction team will be there early, and Drea’s going with Blair to her therapy appointment, so she won’t be in until later.”
“I’m glad she’s still going to therapy. I feel like it’s been helping her. No worries. Have fun.”
She smiled. “I agree, and thanks, you too. See you tonight?”
I nodded and got up to get Duke ready for our walk. We’d miss her, but I understood work had to come first sometimes. “Have a good day at work.” She gave me one of her heartwarming smiles, and I had to turn away. The last thing I needed was more warm and confusing feelings toward her.
I decided to dress a little nicer than I normally would on a walk.
Maybe I’d stop by the queer coffee shop on my way home and see if anyone caught my eye.
A distraction would be good, and it had been a while since I’d had a date.
It could be good for me and for my friendship with Kaia.
If she knew the thoughts I’d had about her since she moved in, she wouldn’t stay much longer. That was the last thing I wanted.