Chapter 34 Vanna
THIRTY-FOUR
VANNA
Though last night started heavy, I have never felt lighter. In another world, Hunter would have stormed out the house and returned weeks later when he was ready to fuck again. It didn’t take long for him to grow tired of my mess.
But Stone didn’t grow tired, instead he told me he loved me and fucked me into saying yes to his proposal. Weirdly enough, when I woke this morning, I didn’t regret a thing. Not as he made me coffee and settled lazily in bed beside me.
The only weird part about it is that we don’t have to tell his parents because they think we’re already engaged. The only people we have to tell is our friends and I’m not entirely sure how Daphne is going to take it.
By mid-morning, we’re dressed and have driven over to his old condo. Knocking on the door, Daph answers, pulling me into a hug. Stone stands behind me as if he expects one too, but instead, she just yanks me by the hand forcing me to follow her into the kitchen.
“Holy shit, your bump!” It’s on full display with her t-shirt stretched over it.
“Yeah, six months now. Time is flying!”
She rubs her belly, sweetly and I instantly feel a pang of jealousy. It’s odd because I've never really cared before. It felt like some distant dream that may or may never happen and now it’s staring me straight in the face.
“Jace!” Stone calls out, startling me.
Spinning, I find that he hasn’t left us yet.
Jace comes jogging down the hallway, his braids bouncing along his shoulders and stops in the kitchen with us.
“What’s up?”
Stone pulls me into his side with a reckless smile donning his face, his canines on full display.
“Vanna, tell them.” He nudges my side with his hip.
“Now?” I argue.
He just nods as I swallow. I wasn’t planning on saying anything this minute.
“You know how we were pretending to be engaged to make his mom happy?”
They both nod.
“Well, we decided to make it real.”
I almost wince, preparing for their judgement, but all I’m met with is silence.
“She said yes!” Stone shouts, excitedly.
“Jesus Christ, man. I have no idea what to even say.” Jace laughs.
“How about congratulations?” Stone suggests.
His brows shoot up his forehead, and he just shakes his head. “Congrats guys.”
“This is... such a surprise.” Daphne chuckles on an exhale. “But we’re happy for you guys.”
She pulls me into her and wraps her arms around me.
“Thanks, Daph.”
As she separates to give Stone a hug, she clears her throat. “I am all for this. Jace and I pushed for this even, but don’t you guys think this is all a little fast? Maybe delusional?”
I scoff, “Wow. You’re one to talk.”
“Van, think about this for a second.” She eyes me as she takes her place beside her boyfriend.
“You were just talking about getting back with Hunter – which I am so happy isn’t happening – but now this?
I think living together has given you both a warped perception of what a real marriage could be.
This phase, it’s called a honeymoon phase for a reason. ”
“Babe,” Jace warns in her ear.
“No, I need to get this out.” She dismisses him, then turns back to us. “I’ll only say this once, then I’ll continue to support you unconditionally like a friend should. You are just moving way too fast, and you don’t have to. Think about it is all I’m asking.”
Stone tugs my elbow, moving me in front of him and wraps a fist in my hair. He yanks lightly until my face is tilted toward his, then he brushes his lips against mine.
When he speaks, it’s to everyone, but he doesn’t break our stare.
“I don’t need another second to think about what my life would look like with Vanna.
If she’d have me tomorrow, I’d marry the shit out of her.
I knew the second I spotted her in this kitchen those few months ago, she was it.
Whether we’re arguing, fighting demons, or simply existing, I want to do it with her because on the other end of all those things, our hearts will be waiting. ”
“You know the vows come at the alter, right?” Jace snorts.
I don’t miss the way Daphne elbows him, then brushes a tear before it can fully trail down her cheek.
Despite the flush working its way beneath my skin and the slight embarrassment from being put on display like this, I still gift him with a bruising kiss.
I may not be filled to the brim with poetic, heartfelt words, but as my mouth fuses to his, he knows all he needs to – that I’m finally in this with him.
“I hate to break this up, but we have a client coming in a few and we have to get working.” Jace interrupts, his thumb pointing down the hall toward their studio.
“Coming.” Stone calls out over head.
After the guys leave us, Daphne turns to me. “Want to grab lunch?”
I shrug, “Why not?”
We pop into a little French Bistro down the street. By the end of this month, autumn’s cool weather will quell the last of summer’s heat, but today – it's still blazing. So, we opt to sit inside.
Snug in a small booth with our salads, Daphne pushes her food around in its container.
“What’s up?” I press, taking a bite.
Her blue eyes snap to mine and her lips drop into a frown. “I don’t know, Van. I promised I wouldn’t say anything more on it.”
I sigh, “Okay, but that would include not showing it either. Just talk to me.”
She pinches her lips, tucking a stray strand of blond hair behind her ear, then finally opens her mouth to speak again.
“I’m just worried about you. Are you sure you’re okay?”
An easy smile finds its way on my face, and I answer her honestly, “Yeah. More than okay actually. I know this is all... messy and chaotic, but Stone’s worn me down.”
“That! Do you hear yourself? He’s worn you down?”
“Woah! Daph chill. I just mean that he’s wormed his way inside my heart and shit. I like him, a lot.”
She slaps the palm of her hand on her forehead.
“Like, Vanna. You like him... a lot. Most people about to get married gush about how in love they are. How they can’t imagine living a single moment without their other half - that shit.
And here you are talking about how he’s worn you down and that you like him a lot. ”
My shoulder’s sag. “Yeah, I know. I’m terrible with words.
I don’t have verses upon verses of confessionals about how much my soul has fused to his.
I’m hesitant and weary because a part of me doesn’t feel like this is real now that it is.
Which is actually insane because it felt more real when it was fake. God, I’m going crazy.”
Her hand slides across the table to grab hold of mine, her thumb rubbing soothing circles along my knuckles. “I think that’s the most honest you’ve been with me about him.”
“I’m sorry.” I murmur, slightly ashamed that ever since she got pregnant and Stone’s invaded my life, I’ve distanced myself.
“Please, enough about me and Stone. How are you guys?”
Daph nibbles her bottom lip, finally taking a bite of her salad and chews slowly before responding.
“Fine, I guess. He’s all dad mode now. Panicking about the nursery, what private school we’re going to pick, colleges. Then there’s finding a new studio. Sometimes, I feel forgotten.”
“Well, on the bright side, he’s going to be a proactive dad.”
She snorts, then starts to sob.
I mutter a curse under my breath and round the table to her side of the booth. Scooting her over with my hip, I wrap her in my arms, tucking her into me.
“I didn’t mean to upset you.”
She sniffs, then lets out a laugh that makes her sound a little manic.
“It’s not you. I’m just overwhelmed with it all, you know?
Just a few months ago we were rolling and fucking until four in the morning and now it’s.
.. cribs and doctor’s appointments and money discussions.
There’s like zero romance and here you guys are – exactly where I wish we were. ”
It all starts to click – her rant and current breakdown – she's more upset with her own relationship than with ours.
“Daph, have you told him any of this?”
She lifts her head from my shoulder and sighs, rubbing her nose. “No.”
“It’s worth a conversation. He can’t know how you feel unless you talk to him.”
“I guess. I mean, Van, we haven’t had sex in weeks. He’s so worried he’ll hurt the baby. I’ve told him over and over that the doctor said it’s totally fine, but he’s so insistent and I’m afraid he doesn’t find me attractive anymore.”
My pinched lips tug up into a devious smile.
“Sometimes you have to remind him what he’s missing out on.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s have some fun tonight.” I smirk.
After lunch, we shop. There were a couple things Daphne needs in order to pull off our plan tonight. I wasn’t entirely sure how it would go down, but if Jace is anything like his friend, then this should work.
Back at the condo, I help her get dolled up. I fix her hair, darken her makeup, and help her decide which lingerie set to wear. I’m a sucker for black, but the lacey white one with gemstones called to me. Besides, she looks good in white.
Evening rolls around and we can hear the front door slamming. The house should be ours again with the guys’ clients gone now.
Before they can emerge from their studio, I set the tequila out on the kitchen counter and turn on some music to set a vibe.
“Hey.” Stone greets from down the hall.
I grace him with a flirty smile, then down a shot while our gazes are still glued. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he nuzzles his face into my neck. “What’s all this?”
“Don’t you want to celebrate?” I ask, spinning in his grasp to face him.
He chuckles, drinking me in from head to toe.
“You look... wow.”
I watch his throat as he swallows, his Adam’s Apple bobbing.
He tugs the hem of my black, pleated mini skirt, then runs his hands over my hips.
Up, up, up my sides, rumpling the black fabric of my crop top.
The fabric is loose, just hanging over my breasts, so the threat of them being revealed lingers as his hands continue.
The only thing covering them is the fishnet bodysuit.
I grab his wrists to halt them.
“Take a shot.” I try to distract him.
He smirks, knowing full well that was my intention.
Jace joins us and stops dead in his tracks as Daphne meets him with a shot glass of his own. We watch as his face contorts in surprise, then darken with an insatiable lust. So far, this night is going exactly as planned.
He trails his gaze over her, the white mini skirt and her pink, sheer top. That lingerie we picked earlier is just visible through the fabric, showing off her swollen breasts.
I stifle a giggle when Jace bites his lower lip, pulling her into him. He leans down and whispers something that has her face turning shades darker than her shirt.
“Take the shot.” Stone barks, laughing when his friend glares back at him.