Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
CARA
“Babe! Come in!” I smiled at my best friend and accepted her hug with a strong one of my own.
Life had been crazy with Blair and Drea on their honeymoon, and my relationship with Vera, that we hadn’t seen much of each other except for business meetings and phone calls.
“Hi, doll! I’ve missed you! Where’s Dre?”
“She’s in the living room with Milo.”
Milo was a dog at the shelter Blair volunteered at. She loved him so much that Drea adopted him for her when they first got together.
“I heard my name. Cara, how are you, love? I’ve missed you!” Drea stood up from the couch to greet me with a hug.
“Hi, Dre. I missed you, too.”
“Come on. Sit, sit. Would you like something to drink?”
I smiled and shook my head. “I’m okay, thank you. Sit down and relax.”
I waited until they both sat down on the couch across from me before I continued. They were so cute together, sitting there cuddling up to one another with Milo at their feet.
“Tell me, how was the honeymoon?”
Blair’s smile was infectious. “It was just incredible. We stayed at this adorable Inn. What was it called, babe?”
“The Hearthstone Inn. Absolutely stunning. The staff was so nice and accommodating.”
Blair nodded and turned back to me. “Yes! It was amazing. Better than any five star hotel in a big city.”
“Well, I don’t know about that, but it sounds wonderful.”
Drea laughed. “Of course, Ms. bougie-ass. We like the simpler things in life.”
I looked around her very simple house and nodded. “Oh, yes. I can tell. Your house is very modest.” I rolled my eyes. “So what did you guys do, besides sex. I’ve already assumed there was plenty of that, so no need to replay that part of the honeymoon, thank you.”
Blair smiled. “Obviously. But besides that, we just had a very relaxing time. We got massages, and checked out the local stores. We went to that pottery store you got your coasters from. So freaking cute! We also checked out the farmer’s market.
It was just so adorable, I want to go back there in the fall.
I heard the owners of the Inn talking about it.
It sounds like the perfect small town vibes.
They even do a tree lighting ceremony and have apple cider, which I’ve never had, but I’ve heard it’s a big thing in small towns.
But enough about us. We want to hear about you. What’s been going on?”
“Nothing crazy has been going on, really. You know me, work keeps me busy.” It was hard to keep my eyes focused on them.
I didn’t know how to be honest. How did I tell them that my relationship with Vera was fake but now it’s not and these feelings that won’t go away are very real and very scary? I couldn’t. Not yet.
When I finally snuck a glance at them, Blair was looking at me with suspicion. I should’ve known I wouldn’t be able to hide from her. I just hoped she didn’t call me out on my dicey attitude.
I sagged in relief when Blair’s expression turned softer and she smiled. “Work and Vera now. How’s that going? You guys were absolutely freaking adorable at the wedding. And we know you left early. We’re so happy for you, babe.”
A slight blush appeared on my cheeks. I was happy that I could talk about Vera, but I still had some guilt inside me at the fact that all of my friends thought it was real in the beginning.
“Yes, and Vera. Things with her are wonderful, but scary. We went hiking the other day, and—”
“Wait, what? You went hiking?! You, Cara Brianne, went outdoors? She has really got you, huh?” Drea smirked and I rolled my eyes. I thought she would’ve calmed down after getting married, but I could see her sarcasm was still alive and well.
I opened my mouth to say something, but the sound of a phone cut me off.
“Shit, sorry, love. My mother is calling. If I don’t answer this, she’ll just keep calling and calling. I’ll be right back.” She kissed Blair and turned the corner towards the kitchen.
I turned to Blair and smiled, but it fell when she glared at me. “What?” I asked.
“Okay, what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
She glared at me. “You look like you’re not here or something.”
“I’m fine. I’m just exhausted from work.”
“Cara, I know you better than that. It’s not just work. Something is bothering you. It’s like your eyes are broken. They haven’t landed on us for longer than three seconds since you walked in. What is it?”
I groaned and covered my face, mumbling my confession, hoping she had perfect hearing and I wouldn’t have to repeat it.
“What was that? Babe, look at me.” I uncovered my face and my shoulders sagged at her soft expression. “What’s going on with you? You know you can tell me anything.”
“I think I’m in love with Vera.” I covered my face again but I looked up when I heard laughing.
“Oh, sweetie. That’s what’s bothering you? You’re in love? Isn’t that what you’ve been looking for for so long? You should be happy. Why aren’t you happy about it?”
“Because, B. Don’t you think it’s too soon?”
“Too soon?! Honey, you’ve been together for at least six months now, right? In lesbian terms, that’s like four years.”
I looked everywhere but at her. When I finally did look into her eyes, I sighed. “Funny story. We actually only really got together at the reception.”
She frowned. “What? What are you talking about? You guys have been dating since before then.”
I shook my head. “Not technically. So, we sort of pretended to date for the wedding. I was tired of you guys hounding me about a date, and Vera just happened to be there and offered to help.” I shrugged.
“Wait, I’m so confused. This whole time you were lying to me about being with Vera? All those touches and kisses were fake?”
My eyes threatened to water. I felt so horrible for the whole thing. I’d hoped since we were together now, it wouldn’t matter.
I nodded. “Kind of. We did actually meet at the ball, but we had only just reconnected when she offered to be my date to the wedding. I tried to tell her no, but you see how well that worked. I had only planned for her to be my date, nothing more. You sort of assumed we were together, and it all just blew up from there. I didn’t expect for us to sleep together again, and I certainly—”
“Whoah. Okay, there is a lot of new information for me to digest here. You slept together again? When?”
“Well, the first time was after the rehearsal dinner. Then the reception, of course. Then—”
“Okay, thank you. I don’t need a list. I can’t believe you two were fake dating the entire time. It looked real as hell to me.”
“That was kind of the point. But, the longer it went on, I guess, I don’t know, it didn’t feel so fake.
I mean, there had always been some feelings there.
She always said I’d be hers, but I didn’t believe her.
I should’ve. I didn’t have a chance to be anything else.
The second I agreed to this whole thing, I knew exactly how it would end.
I’m sorry, B. I didn’t mean to lie to you guys.
Especially with how I reacted with you and Drea. ”
“Oh, Cara. I’m sorry you felt like you had to lie.
We love you and just want you to be happy.
You deserve it. You work so hard and should have someone to take care of you.
You’ve been through so much. It’s about time you get your happy ending, babe.
And the way you reacted was perfectly valid.
Maybe not taking away my livelihood, but you were upset, so I get it.
I probably would’ve reacted the same way if I were in your shoes.
I’m just glad it all worked out and I got my best friend back. ”
I stood up and hugged her, letting the tears fall. I was crying because I finally told the truth. I was crying because I was in love with Vera and so damn scared. I was crying because we almost lost Drea. And I was crying because I was upset and dumb and almost lost my best friend.
“I am too. I love you guys. It was a losing battle, I guess.” I sniffed one last time and wiped the tears away. It felt so good to get everything out in the open and talk about what had been locked in my brain for so long.
Blair frowned at me. “What was?”
“Fighting. I was always going to fall in love with her. From that night in Fairview, I knew if I ever saw her again, there wouldn’t be anyone else.
I just didn’t want to admit it. I was scared to get hurt so I tried to push her away.
But she’s shown me I deserve for her to stay.
She’s tried to tell me she’s not going anywhere, and I finally believe her. ”