by Jessica Yeh
“Hey.” Kadence seemed to sense her arrival. “Still doing okay?”
Avery nodded.
“All right, well, Mel was just telling me she’s ready to head out.” Kadence toyed with the keys in her hand. “Do you think you’ll be okay on your own?”
“My own?” Avery looked around in confusion. She had been too frantic in her quest to get to the bathroom she hadn’t noticed the entire apartment was empty, save for the two Cooper siblings.
“Emma went home with Danny,” Melody said.
“You’re kidding,” Avery exclaimed. “Abandoning me at my own party.”
Melody snorted. “You’re at your own apartment. You’re fine.”
“I can stay with you if you want.” Kadence offered, biting at her bottom lip.
Avery blushed. “I, uhh, you don’t have to…”
“It’s okay. I want to.”
“Are you positive?”
“If you still need me…”
Avery fought back a smile. “I’d love that. But are you sure?”
“Oh, my God.” Melody let out a frustrated groan. “Kadence. You’re staying. I’ve decided for both of you dumbasses. Okay? Bye.” She rushed out without another word while the duo stared with slack jaws at the apartment door closing.
“Uhh, shall we?” Avery asked, now suddenly a lot more sober. She didn’t think Kadence would take her suggestion seriously. And now, well, now she was incredibly nervous.
When they made it to her bedroom, she found Kadence’s focus transfixed on the flower that had now found a home in a vase on her bedside table.
“Kadence?”
Kadence broke her trance, eyes full of affection. “You kept it.”
“I did.”
“You’re cute.”
Avery couldn’t help but blush. Tension crept into the atmosphere around them.
Green eyes drifted to the bed. “I didn’t think this through.”
Avery swallowed. “I can take the couch. You can have the bed. I appreciate you offering to stay but I’m okay. I was just being a brat. I’m not that drunk. And now you’re stranded here.”
Kadence shook her head. “I can’t make you do that.”
“Well, do you wanna take my car keys?” She tried another solution, though not ideal. “Are you sober enough to drive home?”
“No.” Kadence shook her head again. “It’s not that. I just…” Her eyes darted to the mattress, blankets untucked.
“We’ve slept together before.” Avery tried to reason before realizing the insinuations she made. “I mean, in the same bed before. It uhh…wow. I am so sorry. I didn’t…”
Kadence broke into a fit of giggles. “Why is this so hard for us?”
Avery was relieved that Kadence found the situation more humorous than awkward. “Do you think we can we just…cuddle?”
Avery melted at the adorable way Kadence flushed at her own proposal. “Of course! But be warned, I’m gonna cuddle the shit out of you. Get ready for the best cuddle of your life.”
“That’s perfectly acceptable.” Kadence’s shoulders relaxed.
After changing into T-shirts and shorts, they settled under the sheets. Neither of them touched, yet somehow it was the most intimate they’d ever been.
“How are you feeling?” Kadence asked.
“Good.”
“Drunk good or…?”
“Not drunk good.” Avery shook her head. “Just…good.”
Kadence wrapped her arm around Avery’s waist.
Avery gave an involuntary yelp.
Kadence relinquished her hold in alarm. “Did I hurt you?”
“No.” Avery shook her head. “It’s just…I’m just, umm, really ticklish.”
“Oh.” Kadence backed a few inches away.
No. Come back! “Here.” Avery gestured for Kadence to rotate onto her side. She switched their positions, so Kadence was the little spoon instead. “Comfy?”
Kadence nodded and Avery leaned forward just enough to get a whiff of her perfume.
Kadence let out a contented sigh. The room fell silent, and for a moment Avery was almost certain Kadence had fallen asleep. But then she shifted.
“Thomas Grasso,” Kadence whispered into the darkness.
“Sorry?”
“The guy who didn’t get his canned spaghetti. His name was Thomas Grasso.” Kadence yawned.
“You knew?”
Kadence turned to face Avery with a sleepy nod. “I may have looked up random canned spaghetti facts one day.”
Though the room was dark, Avery could still distinguish the smile on her lips. “Seriously?”
Kadence hummed. “With the amount of that stuff that you ingest, I needed to make sure I didn’t have to worry about the you getting cancer or something.”
“Oh, my god. I might be in love with you.” Avery laughed until she realized what she had just said.
Kadence didn’t seem bothered by the words. Her eyes didn’t even open. But she did slide closer.
“Kae?”
“You asked for cuddling, so come and get your cuddle on.”
Avery pressed forward, holding Kadence in her arms as the sleepy woman burrowed into her chest. It was the best sleep either had gotten in a long time.
Chapter Twenty-three
THE PAIR WOKE IN a tangled mess of limbs and warm skin. Sometime during the night, they had managed to wrap themselves further into one another’s arms. Avery’s arm was cradled on Kadence’s hip, palm pressed flat against the small of her back, while Kadence’s face was tucked into Avery’s chest, nose buried into her neck as she inhaled the smell of acrylic that permanently emanated from Avery’s skin. It should be unappealing, or at the least, somewhat dizzying. In a way, Kadence guessed, it was dizzying, but in the most thrilling way possible.
Kadence lay in the sheltering embrace, her heart being catered to by protective arms. She reveled in it until she felt a pressure in her lower stomach, reluctantly extracting herself from the sheets. Avery shuffled, blinking awake. The sight of amber eyes reflecting in the morning light caused Kadence’s breath to catch.
“Everything okay?” Avery’s husky voice croaked.
Kadence added it to the growing list of things she was starting to adore about Avery Bennett. “Just need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be back.”
“M’kay.” Avery nuzzled her nose into the pillow where Kadence’s hair had been splayed. The sight made Kadence’s chest swell.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, she settled back under the sheets, bed dipping under her weight. Avery’s front pushed against her back in an instant and the pair released dual sighs of content. Kadence boldly pulled Avery’s arm to snuggly encircle her waist, linking their hands as she clasped their fingers. Kadence knew something had shifted between them. She could feel it. She felt closer. Being with Avery physically, without being physical, felt nice. Really nice.
By the way Avery was holding her, it was obvious she felt it, too. But neither of them made the first move to discuss it. She started to drift off again, lulled to sleep by the rise and fall of Avery’s breathing.
The next time she woke was to Avery running her fingers though her hair, carefully unknotting the tangles in her bedhead curls.
“That feels nice,” Kadence purred, enjoying the feeling of being pampered, a satisfied mewl escaping her lips.
“Really? I couldn’t tell.” She could hear the smirk in Avery’s words. She gave a playful shove backward, feeling the puff of breath from Avery’s soft laughter on her neck.
“Hey, Kadence.” Avery’s words vibrated off Kadence’s skin. “Thank you for spending the night. You didn’t have to.”
“It was my pleasure.” Kadence smiled, tightening her grip on their entwined fingers. “I wanted to.”
“Well, let me repay you. Can I make you breakfast? Do you like pancakes or waffles?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Avery copied. “I want to.”
Kadence snorted. “You’re cheeky in the morning. I guess pancakes wouldn’t hurt.”
“Good! Don’t leave.” As Avery unraveled from their tangled position, Kadence did her best not to chase the warmth.
“As long as you promise not to.” Kadence rolled to face the retreating blonde.
“Well, it is my apartment.” It was a joke, but the sincerity in Avery’s eyes told her that she understood what Kadence meant to say. “I’m not going anywhere.”
After borrowing some clothes and taking a quick shower, Kadence returned to the kitchen to find Avery dancing to an old-school ninety’s playlist, hips swaying to the beat. A current of affection coursed through her veins.
“Nice moves.” Kadence appeared at the unsuspecting chef’s side, causing her to jump. Her spatula flew from her hand. Kadence shot forward just in time to catch it and save it from landing on the ground. Despite her quick reflexes, she still collided with Avery’s body, pressing her against the counter.
“I take that back. Very nice moves,” Kadence repeated with an amused upturn of her lips. She handed Avery the spatula as she chuckled.
“Like you could do better.”
Kadence smiled. “I can.” She spun before Avery could even register the movement and ground her body against the dumbstruck woman.
“Oh, fuck me,” Avery choked.
With that, Kadence dipped once, throwing a wink over her shoulder before sauntering to the stove. She pried the spatula from Avery’s grip in one smooth motion and resumed attending to the pancakes. “You wish.” She shot the most devious look to the baffled blonde.
“Oh? She has jokes now.”
Kadence shrugged. “Guess your cheekiness is rubbing off on me.”
“Maybe it’s my clothes.”
“Maybe. I certainly smell like you.”
“Oh, yeah? And how exactly do I smell?”
She scrunched up her nose in feigned disgust. “Like burritos and paint thinner.”
“Wow.” Avery gasped. “Cheeky and rude.”
Kadence threw her head back, laughing freely. It echoed through the entire apartment as a feeling of ease seeped into her chest.
“No, you smell clean. Like something new and fresh.” She gave a little tug at the fabric hanging from her frame. “And…” Kadence sniffed her hair, dampened by the shower. “Sort of like gummy bears.”
“Gummy bears?” Avery raised a brow. “No way.”
“Smell.” She gestured for Avery to lean in.
Just as Avery was about to inhale, the apartment door opened with a smash. The spatula clattered to the floor as the two shot to opposite sides of the room.
“Umm? Are we interrupting something?” Emma glanced between the pair, eyes scanning Kadence’s attire before cocking a brow at Avery.
“We’re just making breakfast.” Kadence scrambled for the fallen cooking utensil.
“Pancakes. Want some?” Avery asked the newcomer.
“Uhh, duh!”
***
After breakfast, Avery slipped into the shower as Kadence bustled about the kitchen with Emma, cleaning the plates of the savory syrup and fluffy pancakes.
“Looks like Avery’s becoming a part of you,” Emma noted as she took in her attire.
She really has. “She let me borrow some clothes.” Kadence hoped her voice sounded steady, though she was not oblivious to the way her heart leapt into her throat at the mention of Avery.
“Are you two dating or something?”
“What?” Her eyes widened. “No!”
“Oh.” The peppy redhead seemed to deflate. “But she asked you to stay the night?”
“It…it’s not what you think.” Kadence held up her hands in defense.
“No. I know it’s not. It’s just…” Emma seemed to debate whether or not to reveal her next set of words. “Well, Avery never asks people to stay. It’s a rule about commitment or something that she has. Well, had, I think is a little more appropriate.”
Kadence’s stomach lurched, unsure of how to compute the new bit of information.
Emma shrugged. “It’s not my place to be talking about this. Just know Avery really cares about you.”
Kadence couldn’t fight the rosy tint of her cheeks. “I care about her, too.”
Emma reciprocated her grin before stacking the last dish into the cupboard and heading out the door. Kadence sat in the silent apartment until Avery returned, a towel wrapped around her hair and a fresh shirt on her shoulders.
“After a wild morning like that, it’s quiet now, don’t you think?” Kadence surveyed the apartment.
“Wow. Am I not good enough?” Avery jested.
Kadence caught her wrist, speaking softly. “You are more than enough.”
Avery flushed scarlet. “Do you wanna hang out today?” She sounded rather nervous, though they had been doing this for weeks. To be fair, Kadence felt it, too. The air buzzed with tension.
“We can still hang out even if the painting is done. Nothing’s changed.”
“Right.” Kadence bit her lip, fighting the shared smile the two hardly succeeding at hiding. “Of course not.”
They both knew it had.
***
Hanging out consisted of cleaning. Simple, uncomplicated cleaning. They made it a game, chasing one another around the apartment while competing to see who could fill her trash bag quickest. One point for each proper item of garbage, while two points were deducted if a bottle or can was not recycled. Loser had to sort through it all at the end.
Their harmless competition was accompanied by bubbling laughter and girlish squealing as they tried to sabotage one another, bumping the other out of the way, or in Kadence’s case, tickling Avery. The giddy feeling from hearing Avery’s laugh was just a bonus.
It had been a rather uneventful, lazy day. And yet, Kadence was positive it was her favorite day they had spent together by far.
***
The next few days were not. Most definitely not. That was, in part, due to the fact Kadence didn’t see Avery after Talia and Claire’s arrival for the bridesmaids fitting. Melody had arrived with her fiancé’s sisters bright and early to get breakfast before making it to their appointment.
Jordan’s sisters weren’t particularly rude people, but they were intense and unfiltered. At times, their bluntness could be mistaken as offensive. They got on great with Melody for that same reason, but sometimes their behavior overwhelmed Kadence. Now was one of those times.
They had already been to two other boutiques but hit a roadblock each time. Melody was growing frustrated, Claire was hungry, and Talia’s indifference was making it more difficult to decide, rather than easier. As such, it brought them to their current situation where Kadence sat in the waiting area with Claire while Talia and Melody worked with the sales associate to pull dress options to try on. The soles of her feet thanked her for finally getting a rest.
Her phone vibrated in her purse. Despite the discouraging morning, she couldn’t help the smile when she saw the sender’s name.
Avery Bennett: How’s dress shopping going?
Kadence Cooper: Not too well.
Avery Bennett: How come?
Kadence Cooper: Melody is angry.
Avery Bennett: So basically, like any other day then? :P
Kadence sniggered, smiling at the message.
Kadence Cooper: Careful. I might show her your text.
Avery Bennett: No! I want to live!
Avery Bennett: I take it back!
Avery Bennett: I’m sorry!
Avery Bennett: How can I make it up to you?
Kadence giggled behind her hand as Melody and Talia returned with a plethora of gowns laid across their outstretched arms.
“Who are you texting?” Claire, Jordan’s youngest sister inquired.
Kadence locked her phone. “Umm, no one.”
It vibrated again.
“Doesn’t seem like no one.” Claire craned her neck, trying to peek at Kadence’s screen.
Avery Bennett: Kaaaaeeeee!!! Please!
“Just a friend.” Kadence hoped the vague response would be enough to satiate the young teen’s curiosity so she’d drop the subject. Claire rolled her eyes with a shrug.
Luckily, the saleswoman finished hanging up their options, mumbling something about chiffon and satin being more ideal materials than silk or some other fabric Kadence didn’t quite catch the name of, still distracted by the buzzing in her lap.
Melody directed Claire into a dressing room, pointing to the arrangement of dresses on the hook.
“Claire, you’re up.”
Avery Bennett: Your silence means I’m about to die, aren’t I? Melody wants to kill me.
Melody caught Kadence’s grin.
“Are you texting Avery?”
Claire peeked her head from behind the curtain. “Ooo! Who’s Avery?” “Oomph!” She gasped suddenly. “Talia! Not so tight!”
Talia’s grumbling voice could be heard from behind the squirming eavesdropper. “Stop moving then.”
“Like I said, she’s just a friend.”
Talia pulled Claire back into the room, adjusting the dress with hushed whispers and the shuffling of fabric. Kadence chanced a glance at her phone.
Avery Bennett: Should I start writing my will? I want to leave all of my art possessions to Adam, my guitar and books go to Emma and Jayce Walsh, and my father’s hat to Kadence Cooper. #RIPMe
Kadence chuckled at the melodramatic reaction, remembering a time not too long ago when jokes about dying would make her cringe. But now, Avery made her smile. She found herself able to bask in the humor of the statement, rather than sulk at the solemn exaggeration of it. She equated it to Avery and her silliness, which normally Kadence would find immature. But Avery, with her childish, happy-go-lucky personality, coupled with her deep concern and genuine heart, was nothing but endearing.
Kadence Bennett: You’re so dramatic.