Chapter 16 #2
She groaned, and I wondered if they had gotten into a fight. Things had been seemingly perfect between them since they’d gotten back together, and I hoped they weren’t having marital troubles already.
“She’d rather hang out with Houdini than her wife.” She rolled her eyes. “She’s working, but she’s trying to get off early so she can get me—”
“I get the idea. Thanks, Fal. I really don’t need that visual” Those two were just as bad as Drea and Blair. “Hey, can I ask you something? While we’re on the topic?”
She grinned. “Yes, I think you should sleep with Daisy. It’s about time, honestly.”
I blushed at the idea but quickly pushed it out of my mind. That wasn’t going to happen. “You’re so funny. I meant the topic of marriage. Do you think Drea will ever propose to Blair? I mean, they’ve been together for what? Almost four years now?”
Fallon shrugged, looking toward Drea’s office.
“I’m not sure. I know Blair is her entire world, and I know Drea is Blair’s.
Watching them together, I don’t know why I ever thought Drea was in love with Skylar.
It’s just so different. I really hope she does.
I’ve talked to her about it, but she just changes the subject.
I think a part of her is still a little scared.
Like she thinks Blair would say no or something. ”
I laughed. “Like I told Mackenzie when she was shopping for your ring, there is no way that woman would say no.”
“You told her that?” she asked, her voice becoming soft.
I smiled and placed a hand on her arm. “Of course. I love the two of you, and I wanted to put her mind at ease. She was freaking out thinking you’d say no.
I had to assure her that was never a possibility.
Even after everything you have been through together, I could tell your love for her never faltered. ”
A single tear ran down her face before she wiped it away. “I better get started on the window. Tell Drea to lock shit down!”
I laughed and headed to the back.
“Come in,” Drea answered after I knocked on the door.
I smiled and closed the door behind me. “Hey. Fallon’s here, and she sent me with a message.”
“She sent you? Why not tell me herself if she’s here?”
“She’s working on the window. You know how she gets in her zone.”
She laughed and closed her laptop. “That she does. Well, what is it? What is this important message she gave you to tell me?”
I sat in the chair across from her desk. The same one I sat in when I agreed to come back to the store as co-owner. “She told me, and I quote, ‘Tell Drea to lock shit down.’ I believe she is referring to proposing to Blair,” I said with a smirk.
She turned her head, but I didn’t miss the slight blush that painted her cheeks. “Thank you for that lovely message. Was that all?”
I groaned. “Dre. What are you so afraid of? You’ve been together for a few years. You literally almost died without her. Are you scared she’ll say no?”
She shrugged. “I’m not scared, okay? I just… I want it to be perfect. She deserves the most perfect proposal. If and when I do it, you and Fallon will be the first to know, okay? I want to give her the world.”
I smiled. “She doesn’t want the world, Dre. She wants you.”
I got up and walked toward the door before stopping to turn around. “If you have any doubts at all, she won’t say no.” She smiled and shooed me away without another word.
After I left her office, the front door opened, and I was pleasantly surprised when Cara walked in. She said something to Fallon who hugged her and rubbed her shoulder. Cara gave her a sad smile and walked to the counter.
“Hey, Cara. How are you?” She rounded the counter and gave me a hug without a word. She shrugged, and I could see the defeated look on her face.
Drea came out from the back as soon as Cara walked to the other side of the counter. “Another date gone wrong?” she asked.
“Drea!” I admonished. “Why would that be your first guess?”
She shrugged. “No, she’s right,” Cara cut in. “She’s always right. Do you have a minute?”
Drea walked over and hugged her. “For you, always, love. Let’s go to my office. Kaia, I was just coming out to tell you to go to lunch. You haven’t taken one today.” She smiled, and Cara followed her to the back.
I rolled my eyes with a smile. “Yes, mother.”
Drea was always making sure I took a break.
Even if I tried to tell her I was too busy or not hungry, she’d make me take one anyway.
That was one thing I loved about her. She was such a compassionate person, and it had only grown since being with Blair.
She would sell her entire store if that was what Blair wanted.
After I told the girls I was going on break, I got my bag and sent Daisy a text on my way out:
Me: Hey! I’m on break. Just wanted to check in. Are you doing okay? I know you want a quiet day, so I’m hoping your notifications are off. So whenever you see this, just know I’m thinking of you and I hope your day is going good.
I couldn’t hide the smile on my face as I saw the three dots appear. They disappeared before reappearing, and then her text came through:
My sunny girl: Hey, doodle! Thanks for checking in. Yeah, I’m doing okay. They were off, but I happened to glance at my phone, and I’d never ignore a text from you I hope work is going okay, and I’ll see you tonight!
My sunny girl: Oh, I almost forgot! Girls’ night is this weekend. Don’t forget!
Me: Thanks for reminding me! I’ll be there. Where are we going again?
My sunny girl: Go-karts… duh! Then drinks? I’ll drive!
Me: That sounds nice, actually. I gotta head back in. See you tonight!
She sent me a waving emoji, and I smiled, before putting my phone away and heading back inside.
I was looking forward to hanging out with her friends. It had been a few months since the last time I saw them, and they were all so sweet to me. I felt like I fit in with them, like they were my second family. The end of my shift couldn’t come fast enough.