Chapter 23
Cassie curled up next to Drea on the sofa in Drea’s apartment as she listened to Janay and Molly talking.
Sam, Ash, and Jody sat at the kitchen island, snacking on cheese and crackers as they chatted about New Year’s resolutions while the New Year’s Eve celebration played on the TV in the background.
“So Molly, when do you move into your new apartment?” Janay asked.
“I can start tomorrow in case you’re free.” Molly grinned.
Janay pretended to look at her watch. “I think I have a thing at that time.” She flashed a smile. “I’m kidding. Of course I’ll help you.”
Cassie laughed, then caught Jody’s eye in the kitchen and nodded. “And we’ll be there to help as well,” Cassie said to Molly. She intertwined her fingers with Drea’s, still amazed at how good everything felt with this woman. “To start the new year off right.”
“We can help,” Ash said.
“Jake will be happy to help too,” Sam added, smiling.
“Well, I think it calls for a celebration,” Jody said as she carried the cake into the living room and set it on the coffee table.
Ash and Sam followed Jody with plates and forks, and they all gathered around the cake, peering at the intricate piping on top, and oohed and aahed.
“Raspberry chocolate,” Jody said. “Happy birthday, Molly.”
“Oh my gosh, this is for me?” Molly asked.
“Well, forty’s a big deal, so we figured why not have two parties,” Cassie said. “Besides, you deserve it.”
Jody cut everyone a slice and the room fell silent as they ate, punctuated by the clinking of forks on plates and low sighs of pleasure as they tasted the interplay of tart raspberries against the rich chocolate.
“Oh my god, Jody, this might be the best cake I’ve ever had,” Sam said. “You’re hired for every birthday party in my house. I don’t have any baking skills.”
Cassie watched as Ash’s eyes went wide and she shook her head at the others.
“Hey.” Sam slapped her leg. “I have other skills.”
Cassie and the others chuckled.
“You do.” Ash kissed her. “Just none in the kitchen.”
Sam nodded. “That’s true.”
“It’s getting close to that time,” Drea said as the countdown on the TV showed only a few more minutes.
Cassie followed Drea to the kitchen, sliding an arm around her waist as Drea peered into the fridge. “What can I help with?” she asked.
Drea wrapped her arms around her. “You being here is everything I need.” She gave her a lingering kiss then pulled away to grab the bottles out of the fridge.
Cassie pulled out enough glasses for everyone and placed them on the island for Drea. Then she bent down to pet Pickles, who was meowing for attention.
She helped Drea carry glasses of champagne to everyone.Then Drea handed her a glass of sparkling grape juice. “These are for us,” Drea said and clinked it with her own.
They all counted down as the ball on the TV started to drop.
“Four . . . three . . . two . . . one . . . Happy New Year!” They all shouted in unison and went around the room hugging each other.
As Cassie hugged each person who had become part of her inner circle over weeks, months, years, and even a lifetime, she was overwhelmed by the love she felt for them and how lucky she felt to call them family.
They bundled up and went out on the balcony to watch as fireworks erupted over the river, a vast array of shapes and colors lighting up the sky before disappearing into the water.
Drea held her close, keeping her warm. Cassie wasn’t sure what was more intoxicating, Drea’s white musk perfume or the feeling of Drea holding her tight. “Do you have a New Year’s resolution?” Drea asked.
“Hmm.” Cassie thought for a moment. “You know, I feel like everything I’ve ever wanted and even the stuff I never dared to ask for is all right here. I couldn’t ask for more than this. And normally it would make me scared to say that, but it doesn’t. I feel . . .”
Drea tightened her arms around Cassie’s waist. “Full,” she said.
Cassie nodded. “Exactly. What about you?”
“Well, there is one thing,” Drea said in a serious tone.
“What?” A flash of panic gripped Cassie. The last week had been the best of her life, but fears about the future couldn’t help but wriggle through.
“Do you think Digit could teach Pickles how to be a baller?” Drea’s face lit up like a little kid’s, making her as adorable as she was sexy.
Cassie laughed, falling even more for this woman as the worry left her body. She was learning to trust and would eventually learn to trust completely. “I can have my people talk to his people, but I have a good feeling that can be arranged.”
“Cool,” Drea said. “I mean it would be good for them to have a thing since they’re gonna be brothers and all.” Cassie felt her heart swell at the sweet sentiment and the idea of finally having a family of her own.
As if hearing his fate, Pickles slammed his outstretched paws against the other side of the glass door and let out a loud meow.
“See,” Drea said. “He can’t wait.”