NowNever. #2
“And you remember that night you came home, pissed because of something that happened at work?” She laughed, and I groaned. “You flashed on every last one of us, and we were shocked as hell. I swear, Adrian was lowkey scared to even ask what kind of pizza you wanted that night.”
“Ugh, please don’t remind me.” I shivered at the memory. “I felt so bad.”
“Yeah, I know.” She nodded. “I still think about how cute it was to wake up the next morning to cookies and an apology note outside my door. I’d never seen someone apologize like that for snapping, even though we all understood that you were just tired and stressed.”
“That’s only because you were always speaking up for me,” I replied. I traced the rim of my glass before glancing up at her. “You always had my back, and I’ll always be thankful that we met. You mean so damn much to me, Kay.”
“The feeling is mutual, Zee.” She smiles, cocking her head to the side.
Her fingers find mine on the rim of the glass, and I feel a jolt run through my veins as our skin touches.
My eyes lock with hers as she takes her hand in mine, brings it to her lips, and kisses.
Her lips were so soft against them that I felt a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach.
If I weren’t blinking right now, I would’ve sworn I wasn’t breathing, but I knew I was, because I hadn’t passed out yet. I was just lost in her eyes.
“Zseyah, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while, and it’s taking so much courage for me to admit,” she says.
I nod slowly. “Me admitting this might, no, will change the trajectory of our friendship either in a good way or a bad way, but I’m hoping for the good way.
But I also don’t want you to feel pressured-”
“Kay, please just tell me,” I blurt, nervous as hell.
She nods, takes a deep breath, and then says, “Zseyah, I like you in a way that’s beyond friends, and I’ve had these feelings for some time now.
There have been so many instances where I was so close to telling you, but it never felt like the right time.
” She sighs. “You’ve been through so much, and I know how hesitant you are to be in another relationship, but I felt like I was going to combust if I didn’t at least make my feelings known.
You mean so fucking much to me, too, and all I want is to care for and love you and Sera loudly and proudly.
You know, like I have been doing, but more. ”
I don’t immediately reply because I’m trying to process her words.
Ever since my dad and Zaiyre pointed it out, I’d noticed more and more just how obvious her feelings were for me.
I’d been waiting for her to confirm them, but I also knew that she respected me too much to let them be known if she thought it’d make me feel uncomfortable.
But I’d made up in my mind that when she finally did, I’d stop being afraid and tell her that the feelings were mutual, even though I’d suspected that she knew that by now.
The nerves in my stomach were on ten as they mingled with the liquid courage I’d consumed.
There was excitement, anticipation, and impatience bubbling up inside of me at once, and all I wanted to do was tell her that I felt the same.
That I’d always felt the same. I made eye contact with Kay once more, and she looked nervous.
It was my turn to let her know that her feelings weren’t one-sided.
My heart was pounding because I knew exactly what I wanted to say even before I opened my mouth to blurt it out.
Kay and I continued to stare at each other, and I could see something similar to hope in her eyes.
Seconds turned into minutes, and as my rejection and relationship anxiety slowly started to creep in, I noticed the same emotion mirrored on her face.
No! That’s not what I intended to happen!
Zseyah, please just speak up!
You can’t go another year without letting her know how you feel!
PLEASE!
“Zee, I-I’m sorry if I came on too strong. I just-”
“I’ve always been attracted to you, too!
” I finally get out, cutting her off. Her mouth hangs open slightly as she stares at me, so I take her silence as an opportunity to get it all out.
“Jakayla, ever since I saw you standing at the door of the shared house the day I moved in, I’ve been attracted to you.
That attraction only grew the more I hung out with you.
I mean, how could it not?” I chuckled nervously.
“You’ve always been so caring and loving and protective of me, and then Sera.
You’re funny, hardworking, and optimistic even in times when I feel like there’s no reason to be.
Kay, you make my world so much brighter every time I hear your voice, see your face, or even think about you. Also, you’re really fucking gorgeous.”
“Zee…”
“What I’m trying to say is,” I take her hands in mine.
“I’ve wanted to tell you how I felt for years, but after all the shit with Sasha, I didn’t think I’d ever be ready to be in a relationship again.
But you’ve shown me time and time again that I have nothing to be anxious about.
I know you won’t break my heart or mistreat Serenity.
I’m tired of depriving myself of having all of you, and now that it’s confirmed that we really are on the same page, I just have one more thing to say. ”
“Yes?” She replies, a smile now on her gorgeous face. She leans in closer to me, her eyes slowly taking in every inch of me. “Let’s hear it.”
“I’m in love with you, Jakayla Collins,” I finally admit. “And I want to be with you. From and beyond forever.”
She doesn't say anything, but instead, grips my chin lightly, pulling my face towards hers. She leans in and presses her lips against mine in the sweetest kiss I’ve ever experienced.
I was still slightly tipsy, so when we broke apart, a string of giggles escaped me.
She looked at me with amusement before kissing me once more, but this time, it was more intense. Hungrier.
The room around us was slowly fading away as we melted into the intimate exchange.
I heard a few people cheering us on, but my mind was focused on how good it felt to be kissed by her.
My body was heating up with the desire for more, so I broke the kiss, and she smirked, swiping her thumb across her bottom lip in that sexy way that had me squeezing my thighs together.
“Not to be too forward, but are you thinking what I’m thinking?” She asks.
“If that thought includes renting a room for the night, then the answer is yes,” I chuckle, and she nods.
“Then let’s go, baby.”
The small endearment sent another wave of desire through my body, and I was up out of my chair in seconds.
I watched as she placed a few bills on the counter and then took my hand in hers.
As we maneuvered through the crowded bar, we stumbled a little, but we caught each other as more laughs flowed between us.
By the time we made it to the receptionist’s desk, my body was on fire, and Kay must’ve noticed because she wrapped her arm around my waist, pulling me close. She kissed my temple softly before bringing her lips to my ears.
“Just a little while longer, love,” she whispered. “I promise I’m gonna take good care of you.”
Fuck.