Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
DAISY
Could legs actually melt and fall off your body? Probably, right? I’d need to look into it, but I was pretty sure that was a real medical disorder. Especially when I looked at Kaia. That dress. Her hair. Her skin. Did sell legs? I’d probably have to get a new pair after tonight. God!
“Kaia… You look absolutely incredible.”
I had to pick up my jaw from off the floor. She was wearing a gold long-sleeved dress that stopped mid-thigh with black pumps, and I had to pull her in for a kiss. “Do we really need to go to this party? I can think of so many other things I’d rather count tonight,” I said with a wink.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks, and my smile grew. I loved that I could still produce a reaction from her.
“Oh, do I wish I could say yes to that. But yes, we do have to go. We already promised Drea we’d be there. If we don’t have a good excuse not to go, she’ll be upset, and I’ll have to hear about it later.”
My smile warmed. Kaia was such a caring person. Always thinking about others. That was one of the reasons we got along so well, because we had the same views on so many things.
“And sex is not a good enough excuse, I take it? Fine, are you ready to go, then?”
She laughed and nodded, bringing me in closer. Every time her hand came up to hold my face in place, a piece of me melted. It felt like being in her hands was my safe space. I felt at peace and at home whenever she touched me.
The kiss was slow and languid, like we had all the time in the world.
She was making it very hard to leave the house.
I wanted to get naked and count all the freckles on her body.
Count all the times she clenched under me.
Count all the times I thought about how much I never wanted a moment with her to end.
When she finally pulled away, she took a step back, and her eyes traveled down the entire length of my body. I was wearing a sparkly red off-the-shoulder dress with gold heels.
“You look perfect.”
When we got there, the party was already in full swing. People dancing, servers walking around with trays of food and drinks. Drea really knew how to throw a party. It was fancy yet casual at the same time.
Fallon and Mackenzie, who were getting close and cozy, greeted us. I swore every time I saw them together, they were touching in some way. Honestly, I couldn’t blame them. I felt that way whenever I was around Kaia. I just wanted to always be as close to her as possible.
Fallon was wearing a skintight red silk dress, and Mackenzie complemented her wife in a red pantsuit.
“Daisy! Kaia! Hi!” Fallon waved us over, and I looked at Kaia and smiled, placing my hand in hers. It felt incredible to touch her like that. To let everyone know I was there with Kaia, and she’d be leaving with me.
At the Christmas party, the same statement was true, but we were friends back then. Everyone knew we were leaving together, but she wasn’t mine like she was now.
We walked over to where they stood next to the stairs, and everyone said their hellos, hugging and exchanging compliments.
“Where are the hostesses?” Kaia asked, signing our conversation.
Fallon and Mackenzie shared a look before Fallon turned back toward us. “Upstairs, I believe. Doing Lord knows what.”
I crinkled my nose but smiled. I’d like to say she was joking, but from the stories I’d heard of Drea, I wasn’t so sure.
“No Cara tonight?” I asked. “Doesn’t she come to all these parties?”
Mackenzie nodded.
“She said she had work, which is probably true. But honestly, I think she’s tired of being the only single person at these parties.
I mean, Vera’s here, so I guess she wouldn’t really have been, but I don’t know.
She’s focused on work these days. It’s kind of sad, and I feel bad for her, but I understand. I miss her,” Kaia said while signing.
I frowned. “I know, me too. You should call her later, just to let her know we’re thinking of her.
I know she’s burnt out from dating right now, but I don’t want her to give up.
If anyone deserves to find their happily ever after, it’s Cara.
She’s been through a lot these last few years.
It’s time she gets her happy ending. Don’t you agree Mrs. and Mrs. Bennett? ”
They looked sheepish and nodded at my stern look. “She really does. We have apologized so many times, especially Mackenzie. I know she’s forgiven us, but I still feel awful.”
Kaia chuckled, and I loved the feeling it produced in me. Fallon, Mackenzie, and Cara had… an interesting history with each other. Somehow, in the big city of Seattle, they had both dated Cara.
They had just started dating when this happened, and they were keeping things casual. From what I’d heard from Kaia, they were anything but that from the beginning.
Long story short, Mackenzie was in the same place Fallon was on her date with Cara, and she didn’t handle it very well. It caused a fight between them, but considering they were married and still good friends with Cara, I’d say everything worked out.
Then, Cara had a big falling out with Drea and Blair when she found out they were dating behind her back. She cut ties with both of them, professionally and personally, for a few months, until Drea’s accident.
I was beyond happy that everything worked out in that situation, but I felt bad for Cara.
I was the biggest advocate for love, and I really wanted her to find that special person.
Someone who made her knees weak and her pulse quicken.
Someone who, when she saw them, made her heart skip a beat until it matched in rhythm with theirs. I wanted her to find her Kaia.
“Well, we’re going to mingle a bit. You two should enjoy yourselves. The guests of honor will be down in a bit, I’m sure.”
We waved them off and got ourselves a drink before dancing a little. By the time we agreed to take a break, it was getting closer to midnight.
As soon as we walked toward the bar, we spotted Drea and Blair descending the stairs hand in hand.
They looked at us and waved, walking over and saying hello. “Have you been here long?”
Kaia smirked. “Only a few hours. And where were you two?”
“We were FaceTiming with my parents. We’re planning a trip for the summer.”
I scrunched my eyebrows in disbelief. “Were you pretending to be on an airplane, or is Blair’s hair usually that disheveled?”
Kaia gripped my arm and tried to contain her laughter. Blair’s face turned a few shades of red, and she, too, was trying not to smile. “Babe, that was not nice.”
“Oh, we’re babe now?” Drea smiled.
“Anyway, you guys look absolutely gorgeous.” Kaia told Drea and Blair. They wore matching styles again, and it was just so adorable.
I had grown to love and adore them over the years, and I couldn’t wait to be a part of their wedding… hopefully. The future was never promised, but I hoped I’d get the chance to go, and I hoped I’d get to be there with Kaia.
“Thanks. You look happy,” Drea responded, shooting a wink at me. I smiled at Kaia’s darting eyes and blush.
“We are. At least, I am. I can’t speak for Kaia.”
“I am,” she said firmly. “I really am.” She brought me in for a kiss, and I melted into it.
When we parted, I blushed at the look Drea and Blair were giving us. “You two are too freaking cute. I can’t stand it,” Blair said.
Drea and Kaia continued the conversation about how gorgeous we all were and how cute Kaia and I were, and Drea made sarcastic and dirty comments. I kept my arm around Kaia’s waist as they talked.
When they started talking about work, Blair and I gave each other a look and rolled eyes. Our women never took a day off, but we were obsessed with them either way.
I sort of ignored the conversation, darting my eyes around the room while also focusing back on Kaia in case they’d changed topics. I had no interest in learning about construction updates or ordering cleaning supplies.
My eyes landed back on Kaia and I could tell the party was becoming too much for her in the way her eyes darted around the room and she fidgeted with her fingers at her sides. She was getting overstimulated and I had to do something.
I tapped Kaia’s shoulder to get her attention. “I hate to interrupt, but I need some fresh air. Come with me, baby?”
Kaia smiled and nodded. She sent our apologies to Drea and Blair, and I took her hand and headed for the balcony.
“Thank you. How do you always know when I need space?”
I frowned. “Wow, after all this time together you don’t think I know you? I’d be offended if you didn’t look so stunning.”
“You flatter me, but you, my dear, look absolutely perfect.”
I took a step closer, unable to stand the distance between us. The air was chilly, but with her proximity and the alcohol, it wasn’t that bad.
She leaned in to kiss me but jumped back. “The countdown is starting. Think you can wait thirty seconds?”
I pouted and shook my head. “Definitely not.”
She smiled. “I think you can manage. I promise it’ll be well worth the wait. Ten.”
I believed her, but I didn’t need fireworks. We could create our own together, and it was more beautiful than any display the city could’ve put on.
“It’s been one hell of a year, huh?”
“Nine. Yeah, it really has. I couldn’t have made it without you, sunny.” She smiled and leaned in to lick my neck. Oh, lord, I was getting too turned on already.
“I didn’t do anything. I was just here, Kaia. I’ll always be here.”
I needed her to really know and believe that. Despite anything that life threw at us, and despite whatever relationship we had, I would always be in her life. I couldn’t imagine my own without her.
“Eight. That’s all I need.” A kiss to my jaw. “I just need to know you are always there, no matter what.” A kiss below my ear. “And you have been, in more ways than I could’ve ever imagined. You’ve changed my life this year, Daisy, more than you could ever know. Seven.”
“You’ve changed mine since I met you. I can never tell you exactly what you mean to me. You are the best gift I’ve been given.”
I wanted to tell her. I wanted to say everything I was feeling and how lost I’d be if she’d never showed up in my life. I wanted to tell her how much of my heart belonged to her. Had always belonged to her in some capacity.
“Six.” If she didn’t count faster, I was going to actually cry.
“Five.”
“Kaia, please.” I was getting more desperate. I needed her to kiss me. I didn’t think I could wait even another second.
“Four.”
“Kaia, if you don’t kiss me—”
“Three.” She cupped my face and rubbed my jaw, staring at me with the softest smile I’d ever seen.
Two, she mouthed. Two more seconds and her lips were as good as mine.
“Please, Kaia.”
“Happy New Year, baby.” Before I could say anything, her lips were finally on mine, and I didn’t need to see the fireworks behind us to feel the ones happening inside of me.
Every kiss with her felt explosive, like there were tiny shock pads on our lips and when they touched, they ignited.
But this kiss felt… different. It felt deeper. It felt like it wasn’t only the beginning of a new year, but a new life. Our life, together. Maybe it was the alcohol mixed with the emotions of the night, but I didn’t think it was. This felt like our official first kiss.
She still had one hand on my face, holding me safely in place, like I’d even think about going anywhere. Her other hand firmly gripped my waist. I had one hand on her elbow and the other around her neck as I melted into the kiss.
Her tongue worshipped mine, and I could’ve stayed frozen in that moment forever. It was the perfect way to end the year and start a new one. Anything with Kaia was perfect.
I almost shed actual tears when she broke the kiss. She nodded behind me, and I turned around to stare amazed at the firework show. I glanced back at her and beamed when she came up beside me and wrapped me in her arms.
The night was absolutely perfect. Being with all our friends, sharing in our happiness together, and celebrating.
I had to be honest, though. Just the two of us in this moment, watching the fireworks and looking at each other, that was what really made the night special. That was what made my whole year happy.
I looked away from the show when she squeezed my hand. “I’ve had an amazing night with you, but can we go home now?”
I smiled up at her, not wanting to do anything else. “Yes, please.”