“I understand that. So can I ask, what happened to break that strand between friendship and something more?”
I grinned, thinking of that night and how it changed us for the better. “I think it was when she moved in, honestly. I’d been noticing things about her that I hadn’t paid attention to in the past. And then, at the party, there was mistletoe.”
“Oh my God! Mistletoe? How romantic!”
“It was just supposed to be a quick peck. You know, a little kissunder the mistletoe. But it opened a floodgate of emotions for both of us, and I decided I wanted to see where they would take us. I wanted to at least try, you know? I knew there was no way I could carry on without seeing what would happen. Even if she didn’t want any part of it.”
“Well, clearly she really does.”
I nodded. “Thank goodness for that. I was scared, but I’d rather not live with the what-ifs.”
“Daisy Ann?”
Oh goodie, my middle name. That was always a good sign. “What?” I asked tentatively.
Her smile only grew. “You’re in love with her.”
It wasn’t a question, and my heart threatened to leap out of my body. In love? With Kaia? I had always had love for her. She was my best friend and the only person besides my parents whom I trusted with my life. If I was being honest with myself, Iwasin love with her, but I was scared. Could I trust her with my heart? Could I give her every piece of me and know it would be loved and cared for? I’d like to think so, but somewhere deep down, I still worried.
After a few seconds of deliberating with myself, I nodded. “I’m scared, Mom. What if she doesn’t love me and I lose everything I care about? What if she decides to leave and wants nothing to do with me?” I wiped at the tears sliding down my face. I usually didn’t cry in front of anyone, not even Kaia, but I couldn’t hide anything from my mom.
She came over and gave me one of her magic mom hugs and kissed my forehead. “Sweetie. I would bet my life savings that woman is just as in love with you as you are with her. I’ve seen the way she looks at you when you’re not paying attention. It’s like she doesn’t want to miss a single second. Like she has to see every blink you make, count every strand of hair, love you every second of the day. Baby, Kaia is crazy about you. She’d be silly not to be.”
I wiped more tears away. It was a nice thought, but she couldn’t know that for sure. “Thanks, Mom. I don’t think I’m ready to tell her just yet, so please keep it between us. I need more time.”
“Of course, baby. Whatever you want. Just think about what I said, okay? You won’t know unless you talk to her.”
I nodded and gave her a hug. I had no plans to talk to Kaia aboutthis anytime soon. I wanted to enjoy our bubble of bliss for a little while longer before I made a love confession and it was all over.
We started on the dishes and moved rather quickly with me washing and her drying. When they were all cleared up, we wiped off the counters and packed the leftovers before heading back to the living room.
My heart grew a few sizes when we walked in on Kaia and my dad together in an embrace. When they parted, he kissed her forehead, and it looked like he told her to not give up on me. Tears threatened to escape, but I managed to keep them in long enough to clear my throat.
They turned around, and Kaia’s smile was evident. She came over to me and wrapped me in a hug. I reveled in it and breathed her in, not wanting to leave.
“Are you ready to go?” I asked.
She nodded, and we made our way to the door. We said our goodbyes and promised to come back soon.
“You girls be safe, okay? Especially once you’re home.” She winked and I wanted to throw up.
“We’re leaving now. Love you.” She shrugged and waved as I took Kaia’s hand and left my embarrassing parents behind us.
Kaia was still laughing when we got in the car. “What did you guys talk about?” she asked when she finally wasn’t doubled over from laughing so hard. I’m glad she found that funny.
I paused, not sure what to tell her. There was no way I could tell her I was falling in love with her. I wasn’t ready for that conversation, especially when we had a car ride ahead of us. She did look stunning in the dark of the car with the moonlight shining on her in the right way. She looked like an angel sent to guide me through life and keep me safe. And she had.
“She was asking when the relationship happened and I told her about the party and then we talked about what happened after the party when we got home. She wanted details.” I shrugged, trying to hold in my smile.
Her eyes widened and her mouth gaped open.Not so funny now, is it?
“Daisy! You didn’t! I can never show my face again. She’s going to refer to me as the woman defiling her daughter for the rest of our lives.”
My grin finally popped through, but I bit my lip at “defiling.” That soundedlike a great idea to me. “Yes, please. You can defile me any day, baby.”
She rolled her eyes. “Daisy, now is not the time for flirting. Why would you tell her we had sex?!”
I smiled, reaching out to grasp her chin before I kissed her, not caring if my parents were potentially watching us, and letting everything about her envelop my senses. There was no denying the love I had for her, and I wanted to pour it all into that kiss. Convey everything I felt and could feel for her without saying the words.
