I looked at my phone again. No text from my parents.
I didn’t expect it. Still, it hurt a little.
“If there’s a knock on the door, it’s food. We’re just going to get changed. Make yourself at home.” I gave Kai a kiss.
I followed Ashton into the bedroom, closed the door, and we started getting undressed.
“Are you okay?” Ashton said softly as he stripped.
“I’m fine. What we found out changes nothing. Certainly, this week has been great. Marilyn didn’t tell us anything about the omega, other than sunglasses and dragonflies. It’s practically asking for a mistake to happen and in this case, the mistake worked in our favor.” I got undressed.
Yeah, this was not our fault–or Kai’s.
“It did,” Ashton said as he pulled on shorts and a shirt.
“I can understand why Kai’s hurt. The break up didn’t happen that long ago and Kai probably hasn’t had time to really process the trauma yet. I can see why this might suddenly hit her really hard. After all, it took us a little time to fully process what happened to us. We’ll just have to reassure Kai that it doesn’t matter, we had a really fun time, and that she shouldn’t let Claire’s actions overshadow our amazing week.” I put on some comfortable shorts.
“We should make sure Kai understands that this week was everything,” he agreed.
“I’ll miss Kai a lot.” I tried to decide if I wanted to put on a shirt or not.
Ashton tossed me a shirt, so I pulled it over my head.
The two of us went back out to the living room. Kai was on the couch underneath all the blankets, which we hadn’t put back in the closet. Takeout bags sat on the coffee table.
“Starshine.” I eyed her blanket pile. “Is there room in there for us?”
“Do you still want to sit with me under the blankets?” Kai’s chin quivered.
“Always. Maybe you weren’t the omega we were supposed to meet, but you’re not a mistake and you’re not the wrong omega. If anything, you’re the right one. Who else would climb trees and play air hockey with us?” I got under all the blankets with her.
“He’s right.” Ashton joined us with a bottle of champagne and some glasses.
He opened it and poured us some. Then he got the food out of the bag. Spaghetti and meatballs for me. Chicken parmesan for Ashton. Eggplant parmesan for Kai. Garlic bread for everyone.
“I think today calls for the nice champagne.” Ashton raised his glass. “I’m so glad that you’re in our life. It has been an honor and a privilege to show you around Nashville.”
“Exactly.” We clinked glasses.
Kai gave us a shy look. “You really feel that way?”
“We do. It was so much fun to help you make all those great selfies for your socials. Auntie Kiki is my hero for the whole idea of putting the fish behind the electric sockets. I may have to use that if anyone ever pisses me off. I kinda have an urge to do that to my parents. They’ll be on the cruise for some time. I have keys.” I grinned.
“If you drive back to Washington you could absolutely stop and do it.” Kai laughed. That laughter meant everything.
“We should,” Ashton agreed.
“I’m sure my cousins and Auntie Kiki have lots of other ideas, too. My favorite was actually something my lab partner did to her ex. She bought a whole bunch of keys and put labels on them with her ex’s number. Then shehid them everywhere–and got friends to help. Years later he’s still getting calls from people who found his keys.” Kai laughed and took a bite of her food.
“That’s actually kind of wholesome, because it’s not really hurting anybody, it’s just really annoying.” I liked that one.
It was too nice for my parents though.
I touched my forehead to Kai’s. “You are absolutely amazing. Don’t let a mistaken identity or a stupid ex let you think otherwise. You’re going to have the best rest of the semester and you’ll graduate, and it’ll be great.”
Maybe we could go to her graduation if she was allowed enough tickets. Of course, that would also mean meeting her brother and the rest of her family.
“It is. While I was at the game, my brother was texting me a bunch of ideas for our summer graduation trip.” She took a sip of champagne.
