I stood there, unmoving, as she leaned in and kissed my cheek, close enough to my mouth for my palms to start sweating. She lingered a little longer than was probably necessary, and I knew I didn’t imagine her hands moving lazily across my back, or the light squeeze she gave as her lips rested on my cheek. I didn’t know what was happening, but I wasn’t about to stop it.
When she pulled back, she was looking at me, something in her eyes that I couldn’t figure out. She licked her lips, causing my eyes to land on them. I wanted so badly to kiss her. To feel her soft lips against mine. My resolve was breaking the longer she looked at me. Did she want me to kiss her?
I leaned in half a centimeter, seriously thinking about it, butstopped. I forced myself to break us apart. I couldn’t handle the rejection that was sure to be waiting for me.
I closed my eyes and gathered all the strength I could to say goodnight and walk away. Tonight had sealed the deal for me. When I returned from my trip, I had to move out. I wouldn’t survive living with her for much longer.
Chapter Twenty
KAIA
“Kaia, you know I love you, right?I love you and support your decision to go the grid for the weekend. I support you so much that I’m not dignifying that question with a response.”
I rolled my eyes. “Come on, Fallon, I just asked if you’ve seen her. What’s the big deal?”
She made a sound between a huff and a snort. “You took this trip to spend time away from her, and now you’re asking how she is? No, ma’am, I will not be an accessory.”
“Oh my God, you spend too much time with Dre. Fine, I’ll drop it. But I can’t relax if I’m worried and thinking something happened to her.”
“Jesus, Kaia. Relax, please. I promise Daisy is very much alive and missing you, okay? Feel better? I’m hanging up now. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment in an hour, and Kenzie is demanding my attention beforehand.”
“Yeah! I need help getting ready!” Mackenzie shouted into the phone, and then Fallon squealed.
“Sorry, babe. Wife duties call. I love you. Please keep your mind busy with other things besides what Daisy’s doing. You took this trip for a reason, so remember that. I’ll see you at the party.”
She hung up and I groaned, trying not to think about how Mackenzie needed help. I couldn’t help but feel happy for them while still feeling a little jealous.
I loved that they’d found each other and they were so incredibly happy, even after being married for a few years. Their honeymoon phase seemed never-ending.
But I couldn’t lie and say I wasn’t a little envious of their relationship, or even Drea and Blair’s, for that matter. I wanted that life formyself. Someone to come home to. Someone to share my days and nights with. Someone who would want me at all hours of the day no matter what I looked like. Someone who loved me and looked at me like I personally hung the moon.
It was impossible to find that when I hadn’t even tried, I knew. Maybe after this trip, I’d try to get back out there. Start going to Queer Quarters on the weekends or try dating apps again. If I wanted to find my person, I couldn’t sit at home and wait for them to appear on the couch. I had to go out and find them.
I was determined to forget about Daisy, so I decided to leave my hotel room and explore the city.
Fairview was a few hours outside of Seattle. Drea knew where I was, but she promised to share the information only in an emergency. The last thing I needed during my escape weekend was for Daisy to show up because she was worried about me. I needed this weekend to spend time alone and think about how to move on from my feelings for her and be the best friend she needed while also trying to find my own person.
The town was small and perfect for walking around. It was a little cold, but I could use that as an excuse to browse a new store and get hot chocolate. I wondered if Daisy was drinking—No!
The first store I stopped into was a handmade jewelry store. They had bracelets, rings, pendants, necklaces, you name it. I ended up purchasing a pair of emerald earrings, and I almost bought a sunflower ring until I forced myself to walk away.
It seemed like the universe was against me. Everywhere I went reminded me of Daisy. Sunflower jewelry. Hot chocolate. A pet store with a dog that looked just like Duke resting by the door. I couldn’t turn my head without seeing something that made me think of her. I even stopped someone walking down the street because, from the back, she looked like her.
“Oh, sorry. I thought you were someone else,” I said when she turned around.
She wasn’t even remotely close to Daisy, and for that, I smiled.
She returned my smile. “Please, mistake me for someone else anytime.” She winked, and my cheeks flushed slightly. “I’m Corrine, and you are?”
Shestretched out her hand, and I accepted it. “I’m Kaia. Nice to meet you, Corrine.” My smile was genuine.
“It’s very nice to meet you. Are you from around here? I’ve never seen you before, and I know I’d never forget a face like yours.”
“I’m from Seattle, actually. Just here for the weekend.”
She stepped a little closer. “What a shame. Are you here with someone special?”
Was she flirting with me? Should I flirt back? I’d never been in this situation before. I didn’t know how to handle it. Daisy would’ve?—
