34. Chapter 34
34
“ I don’t care for bars. Or most public places, really,” she tells me as she’s braiding her hair in front of my bathroom mirror.
She’s sitting on top of the counter, having pushed all of my clutter out of the way. I heard my can of hairspray fall over and clatter against the granite. I’m hoping she’ll pick it up when she’s done, but not counting on it.
If she was anyone else I’d be annoyed that they’re imposing on my space in such a way, but I can’t bring myself to be annoyed at her these days.
“I know. I won’t pressure you to go, I just figured I’d ask.”
She starts humming some song I know I’ve heard, but can’t remember. I watch as she finishes one side of her head, and looks around for something to secure it with. Before I can tell her where she can find a bag of hair ties, she opens the closest drawer and lets out an amazed little gasp.
“I haven’t seen butterfly clips since I was a kid!” She clips the bottom of her braid with a bright smile. “How freaking cute!”
She is too freaking cute.
I watch as she clips the end of her braid and holds it between her fingers to study it in the mirror. A pleased expression is plastered on her face, reminding me of the day I found those clips at the store. Who doesn’t appreciate a little piece of childhood nostalgia here and there? I was so excited, but I had completely forgotten I even had them until now.
Kara finishes the other side of her hair, topping it off with a matching clip.
“I should’ve been getting ready in here every morning. What else are you hiding from me?”
Without waiting for an answer, she hops off the counter and opens another drawer. I should be embarrassed, knowing I’ve never spent a second of my life organizing or decluttering anything in those drawers. A peek over her shoulder shows me that one is filled with loose cotton swabs, scrunchies, earrings, random makeup I don’t use but don’t have the heart to throw away.
As expected, she grows bored with that quickly, slamming it shut.
“What’s there?”
I squint my eyes.
“Did you not just see?” I ask.
She smirks.
“Not in the drawer, at the bar . Why are you going?”
“Vic has a friend who has a thing,” I poorly explain. “And she hasn’t been out in a while, so I feel obligated to not miss it.”
I have a feeling if I neglect to mention what the thing is, there’s a slight chance of convincing her. I really do want to spend a night out with my friend, she deserves to have a fun night away from the house after being in baby mode for the last couple of months. I also know that she and Kara get along, and it’d be nice to have some extra company while she’s being bombarded by all of her old yoga pals.
“I feel like you’re neglecting the obvious,” Kara says.
If there is something obvious, I’m missing it.
“That you don’t like that kind of place? No, I get that. It’s–”
“That you and Vic have a mutual friend that you might not want to see us together.”
Oh.
I laugh out loud, visibly confusing the woman in front of me.
“Not a concern.”
“Why? Is she not a fan of being there for her friends?”
“No, she absolutely is,” I defend. I don’t think Autumn would appreciate me divulging her issues to Kara of all people, so I keep it short. “Let’s just say she’s also not a fan of public places.”
It feels like a miracle that Kara followed me out the front door, got in my car, and let me drive us here.
I’m giddy about my win,
But as soon as we step inside and I glance at the bar, I want to link arms with Kara and drag her back out the door.
I must be quite the idiot for not thinking that part through.
Somehow, like she sensed me walk in, Bailey’s eyes meet mine. She doesn’t look bothered to see me, but it’s worse. She looks excited. I doubt her tunnel vision even allowed her to see how close Kara is standing to me.
I don’t know why I feel the need to do it, but I grab her hand. That should do the trick.
Except my girlfriend— maybe I shouldn’t call her that in my head, but oh well— doesn’t like that at all. It’s the first time I’m genuinely disappointed that she’s an affection-phobe.
A look of disgust fills her face when she pulls away.
“Why would you do that?”
I sigh, playfully.
“Normal people hold hands, babe.”
“Don’t call me that. And don’t hold my hand.”
I take it one step further, and give her a pat on the ass. Not obvious enough to draw attention, but it’s enough to see her ears go red.
Ugh. Such a fireball.
“If I’d known you were going to—“
“You can take your anger out on me later.”
Her expression falls blank, as if there’s a lag while one emotion is being flushed by another. I know it’s the case when I wink at her, and any sign of irritation vanishes.
She wants me so bad.
I smile to myself as I guide her up to the bar, mentally preparing myself to pretend I don’t even know who the bartender is.
And silently praying she lets me.
The same guy I recognize from the last time I was here is also back there working, so I intentionally end up on his side. He moves fast, takes our drink orders even faster. By which I mean Kara
Bailey touches my hand that’s resting on the bar, and I’m a pile of fear. Things I know for a fact: I don’t want to sleep with ___ again, and I really want to keep sleeping with Kara.
I don’t think Kara is going to be eager about the latter if I sit here and let this other woman flirt with me.
I slowly pull my hand away, but I’m polite enough to pretend it was so I could fix my hair.
“I’m relieved of my duties in about fifteen minutes, so speak now if you want any more free soda.”
I glance at my almost empty glass. I do wish it was full.
“I’ll take another one. Thanks.”
I don’t appreciate the way her returning smile looks accomplished.
“While you’re giving them out, I’ll take one.”
I look to her with raised brows. Kara hates soda.
Bailey’s smile falters, but she nods in her direction, agreeing to grab her the drink.
For ten long minutes, I sip on my drink while Kara’s sits in front of her. Untouched.
I wait until Bailey is busy on the other side of the bar before asking.
“You going to drink that?”
“No, but you can.”
“It’s all watered down by now, I’ll pass.”
She surprises me by patting my cheek. As simply as the action is, I find myself blushing.
“Sunshine’s too good for a little water in her soda? Poor thing.”
I roll my eyes, but there’s a smile on my face.
“No, thank you.” Kara’s words are followed by her fakest smile.
“What?”
“I have to pee,” Kara grumbles.
“Do you want me to go with you?”
She tilts her head to give me one of my favorite glares.
“I think I can handle it on my own. Why anyone wants an escort to listen to them pee is beyond me.”
I chuckle.
“Got it, grumpy.”
She leans in close to my ear as she stands.
“You better tell me if that pesky blonde tries anything while I’m gone.”
Something about that demand really does it for me.
“I think I like you all possessive.”
She shakes her head, like she can’t believe how ridiculous I am, but I don’t miss the smirk she can’t keep off her face.
To no surprise, Bailey pops up in front of me the second Kara walks away.
“Is she your girlfriend?”
I don’t miss the irritated way she says the last word.
“Yeah,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual.
Except I realize once it leaves my mouth that it’s not totally the truth, and can’t decide if I should correct myself. I don’t really get to decide, because Bailey sees something on my face that makes her huff a laugh.
“Are you non-exclusive or something?”
“Or something,” I answer with a tight lipped smile.
“And you hate that,” she observes.
“It isn’t really your business, Bailey.”
“It could be. You could come back without her sometime, take out your frustrations.”
She has the gall to wink at me, and I want to toss my drink on her face.
Thankfully, I’m above petty fights.
I clear my throat.
“I realize I left you hanging a couple months ago, and that could be left open for interpretation, but I’m not interested,” I tell her. I keep my voice as soft as I can, trying to let her down easy.
She leans in closer, too close. Her eyes are alight, like she's enjoying some game, or hearing a joke. You'd think I'd just said the opposite thing, like I'd dared her to try or something.
“Yeah, right.”
I scoff at her.
“Yeah. Correct. I’m not.”
“As soon as you’re sick of being dangled along by her, you know where to find me.”
Did I say I was above petty fights? I mostly meant that, but there’s an exception to every rule.
“Are you really so desperate that you’ll just be waiting here for me to return and hope that I’ll— what? Confess how badly I actually want to be with you?”
She throws the towel she’s holding down onto the counter and crosses her arms.
“Yeah. I do.”
My filter leaves the room.
“Are you delusional?”
The glint in her eyes makes it seem like she knows something I don’t, but I highly doubt that’s true.
“Reya, no one shares a kiss like we did and moves on. Think whatever you want for the time being, but I know better. You might think you’re the type to play the field, not want to settle with one person for too long. I get it. But you’ll miss me at some point.”
My jaw drops, unable to fathom how actually delusional she is. She really believes what she’s saying.
I stand from the barstool I’m sitting on, and lay my hands flat on the counter.
She must feel like she won when I look into her eyes, but I’m so glad I’m about to burst her bubble.
“I don’t have commitment issues, blondie. But you need serious help if you think I’m destined to end up with you.” I point in the direction of the hallway leading to the bathroom. “If I have any say in the matter, I’m never letting that girl go. If you think our make out session was anything special, you have no fucking idea what’s out there. I’m glad I ignored your texts and got to find out.”
When I turn, ready to make a dramatic departure to go find Kara, I end up face to face with her.
And the smile on her face is deadly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this pleased without my head between her legs.
I feel like a well trained dog, because that’s exactly what the look makes me want to do. I’ve never hooked up in a bathroom before, but there’s a first time for everything.
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
I blink.
I blink again.
It seems like the rest of the room goes quiet, but I doubt that’s the case outside of the bubble that just materialized around us.
“What?”
She chuckles, making my heart flutter.
“I want you to be my girlfriend.”
“O-okay,” I stutter.
Her brows raise.
“Is that a yes?”
I don't hesitate, nodding vigorously. I might wake up any second now, and realize this was some dream, so I'm not looking to waste time.
Kara leans in to place a soft kiss on my cheek. Her hot breath on my face sends a shiver down my spine.
“Great,” she whispers. Then, when she backs away, “Are you ready to head out?”
I nod again, still not sure how to use my words properly.
We step outside, hit by the cool fresh air of an early evening.
“Did you just say that to piss her off?”
“I mean… that was a plus,” Kara admits as we approach the car.
“So… no?” I ask, needing confirmation.
“I might be a bitch, but no. I’m not enough of a bitch to ask you to be my girlfriend just to piss someone else off.”
It's nice to hear her say it.