“I don’t want to rush this,” Danika says. “Our relationship. We live a distance apart. Blending our families completely will take time—if we get that far.”
“Let’s just take it one step at a time. When can we next spend time together?” Kim asks. “You and me, without the girls. Date night.”
“Cami often sleeps over at my parents’ house. They’d love for Bella to go too, if you and she are comfortable with that. I can see if they could do this weekend? We could stay at my place.”
“I’m good with that. I’ll check with Bella though.”
A bubble of heat expands inside Danika. Here they are, she and Kim, arranging date nights and sleepovers, as people in a relationship do. As people in love do.
And they can do other things that people in love do. She takes Kim’s hand, delighting in how Kim’s fingers entwine with hers. She pushes aside her unfinished salad and leans across the table. “I love you. I’m so looking forward to seeing where our journey takes us from here.”
For long moments, they stare at each other. The events of the morning, Alan’s office, their daughters even, at this moment are all pushed to the background. There is just her and Kim, the two of them together. And a future to feel their way into.
They leave the café, walk to their cars, hands still entwined. Danika stops by Kim’s Subaru. Kim moves close, and they come together in a kiss. It’s long and slow and promises more, although not in a suburban car park, where shoppers with laden trolleys trundle past.
“I’ll wait to hear from you before I call Mum about the weekend,” Danika says. “I’m going there now to get Cami.”
“Will you tell your parents about us?” Kim pushes back Danika’s hair so she can kiss her cheek.
“Of course. They mostly know, anyway. I’ll tell them about our legal agreement, too. Take Mum’s advice on selling the house.”
“Okay. We’ll talk soon,” Kim says. With a last kiss, she gets into her car.
Danika watches her drive away, heart thrumming with the joy of new possibilities.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Kim
Kim parks her car outside Shirley and Paul’s house. The car has barely halted before Bella is pushing open the door, keen to see her sister.
Kim grabs Bella’s overnight bag and joins her daughter on the path. The previous time Kim came here, she was too nervous to take note of the house, but this time she looks around. Shirley and Paul’s house is gorgeous, as you’d expect a real estate agent’s house to be—although would that be like expecting a dentist to have perfect teeth?—with a winding path through a native garden to the front door. Kim assesses it, thinking of Danika looking for real estate.
The door flies open, and Cami runs out. Shirley appears in the doorway.
As the girls greet each other, Shirley steps forward. “Welcome, Kim. I’m so happy to see you again.” She kisses Kim’s cheek.
The girls disappear inside the house.
“Thank you for taking Bella tonight,” Kim says. She hands Shirley a container of brownies. “This is a small contribution.”
“That’s kind of you.” Shirley takes them. “Danika’s inside. But while it’s just us, she’s told Paul and me about youragreement. We think it’s a wonderful idea. She’s also told us about your relationship.” A wide smile. “That is even more wonderful.”
The approval isn’t necessary, but Kim welcomes it. “Thank you. We’re very happy.”
“I’m sure you are.” Shirley squeezes her arm. “Danika says you’ll both come around sometime tomorrow morning to pick up the kids. That’s fine with us. Take longer if you want. Paul suggested we take them on the Puffing Billy steam train. Cami loves that.”
“Bella’s never been. That would be lovely, but can we let you know in the morning?” She doesn’t want to presume it’s what Danika will want as well.
“Of course.”
They enter the house and into the open-plan living area. In the modern kitchen, Paul is preparing what looks like lasagne, while Danika tears lettuce for salad.
Paul holds up damp hands. “Hi Kim. Sorry, I can’t come and greet you. I need to get this assembled.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t come to you.” Kim walks around the counter, presses a kiss to his cheek, then turns to Danika. She’s already wiping her hands on a towel, so that when Kim kisses her—on the lips—her hands steal around Kim’s waist to pull her close.
The kiss is publicly acceptable—just—and when they break apart, both Shirley and Paul are smiling.
