by Jessica Yeh
Claire exited with Talia trailing behind her. She twirled, holding out her hands for Melody to take it in. It was definitely gold and matched the color scheme for the wedding, but also looked extremely frilly. By the scrunch of Melody’s nose, Kadence already knew what the answer was going to be
“No.” Melody shook her head with a flick of her wrist. She gave a nod toward the next dress in line.
This time Talia emerged in a golden gown with a taupe princess cut at the chest.
Melody narrowed her gaze, turning to her younger sister for a second opinion.
“The cut is nice, but the colors clash. The gold is just a little too far on the color wheel from the taupe and it looks like the designer was colorblind, rather than making the choice intentionally.”
Claire, having changed out of the first dress, nodded, impressed. “Wow! Kadence, I didn’t know you knew that much about color theory.”
Melody snorted. “She doesn’t. Avery does.”
Kadence’s ears burned.
Claire nodded as Talia returned to the changing room. “So, are you seeing anyone after Iris?”
“Oh, my god!” Talia marched out with her dress half unzipped, holding it up by the fabric near her breasts. Her free hand quickly shot to her younger sister, bopping her upside the head.
“Oww!” Claire hissed with a glare. “What the fuck?”
“Go change!” Talia demanded, pointing to the next dress in the lineup.
Kadence looked at Melody, overwhelmed by the sisters’ method of argument. Talia was even more intense than Melody.
“You’ll have to excuse Claire,” Talia apologized, turning to Kadence. “My sister is dumb and,” she raised her voice loud enough for Claire to hear, “doesn’t know when to shut up. It’s like she has zero filter, one hundred percent of the time.”
“It’s okay. No, Claire,” Kadence called out. “I’m not.”
Claire pulled back the curtain to send her sister a deadly stare before Talia flipped her off, returning to her own dressing room. Kadence slumped in her chair, releasing an exhausted sigh.
Melody flopped down in the seat next to her. “So, what’s the problem?”
“Well, I think since Claire is shorter, most of the dresses don’t fit her the same way they do on Talia and me. And the different shades of gold are…”
Melody shook her head. “I don’t wanna talk about that.”
“Mel.” Kadence placed a reassuring hand on her sister’s knee. “I know this is stressful, but we’re here to help you. It’s your big day. Don’t overthink it. We just want you to pick something that you like. We’ll wear anything.”
Melody scoffed. “That’s because you look good in everything. And I don’t overthink. That’s your job. I wasn’t even talking about this.” She waved her hand nonchalantly to the remaining few dresses. “I meant, what’s the problem with you and Avery.”
Kadence blinked. A problem with her and Avery? She wasn’t aware that there was one. Everything felt pretty right to her.
“I don’t overthink. And there is no problem. We’re good friends.”
“Mmhmm. Sure.” Melody rolled her eyes so hard Kadence worried they’d get stuck. “If that’s the case, here.” Melody reached into her purse, withdrawing a stiff piece of cardstock with metallic gold trim.
“Why are you giving me this?” Kadence asked, befuddled by the invitation in her hand.
“I thought you said you weren’t going to overthink it.”
“But I know when the wedding is.”
“It’s not for you.” Melody flicked her, channeling the Talia of just a moment ago.
“Oww!”
“Invite Avery to be your date.”
“What?” Kadence gasped. “I can’t…we are…”
Melody gave a pointed look just as Talia and Claire reappeared in their street clothing.
“So, what’s next?”
“Yeah, Kadence, what’s next?” Melody said subtly.
Kadence bit her tongue, grabbing the next gown and retreating into the dressing room. From inside, she could still hear Melody cackling. Changing swiftly, she returned to the trio and displayed the shining gold dress with a black lace neckline.
“Oh, come on!” Melody threw her hands up in the air. “You would look this good.”
Kadence blushed.
“Take it off before I feel inadequate about myself in my wedding dress.”
Kadence laughed. “You’re not going to look inadequate.”
“Says you, Talia. Claire, you two try it on.”
They ended up reserving three of them and getting alteration measurements taken. Kadence let out a sigh of relief. On to the next task.
Chapter Twenty-four
AVERY TAPPED HER FOOT against the wall as she laid on the hardwood floor in her bedroom. Her cellphone was grasped in her hands, hovering at the tip of her nose. She had spent the majority of the afternoon in that position, doing nothing in particular while engrossed in sending texts back and forth with Kadence.
Kadence Cooper: Melody is about two seconds from canceling the wedding and eloping to Vegas.
Kadence Cooper: You think I’m joking. But she’s dead serious right now.
Avery Bennett: That bad, huh? So, no dress then?
Kadence Cooper: I already got my dress.
Avery Bennett: Really? No alterations?
Kadence Cooper: Nope. Just got the one off the mannequin modeling it and it fit like a glove.
Avery Bennett: That’s because your body is perfect.
She froze, smacking herself in the forehead for being so forward.
Avery Bennett: Sorry. Ignore that.
Kadence Cooper: Thank you. You’re sweet.
Her cheeks grew warm.
“Tell Kadence I said ‘hi.’” Emma appeared in the doorway.
The phone collided with Avery’s nose.
“Damnit! Stop eavesdropping.” Avery rubbed at her injury.
Emma laughed. “That isn’t a verbal conversation.” She rolled her eyes, tilting her head toward the device. “You can’t eavesdrop.”
“Then how did you know I was talking to Kadence?”
“Because you’re always talking to Kadence. Simple deductive reasoning.” Emma shrugged. “If you’re not together in person, you’re still texting or on the phone.”
“Are not!” Avery flushed at Emma’s all-too-accurate observation.
“Whatever you say. I just wanted to let you know, Danny and I are planning on going on a camping trip next week with Jayce and Lola. You should invite Kadence to come. Maybe Melody could take Jordan, too, if he isn’t traveling for work again.”
Avery knew for a fact he wasn’t, Kadence had told her as much. The future in-laws were planning to pick up wedding favors and get suit measurements with the groomsmen later that week.
“I don’t know, Em. You’re all couples. Kadence and I are just friends.”
Emma’s brows reached her hairline. Avery almost laughed at how comical it was to see her roommate so serious.
“Puh-lease. You’ve already shared a bed. You can share a tent. It’s not a big deal. The worst thing she could say is ‘no,’ but I doubt she will.”
“All right.” Avery couldn’t argue with that logic. “I’ll give her a call later.”
“Yay!” Emma clapped, launching herself at Avery and pulling her into a tight hug. “I’m glad you’re so whipped for this girl. I could never get you to go camping otherwise.”
“Hey!” Damn, Bennett. She sniped you.
Emma gave a smug grin, puffing her chest. Avery thrust a pillow at her, but her heart still skipped at the idea of a potential getaway with Kadence.
***
“I’d love to,” Kadence chirped into the phone. “Just let me check with Melody. She’s pretty overwhelmed with everything, but you’re right. We could definitely use a break.”
“And you’re okay with the tent situation?” Avery picked at her cuticle.
“Maybe,” Kadence
purred into the phone. “It depends.”
Is she flirting? “On what?”
“Are we cuddling?”
She is definitely flirting. Avery grinned. “Definitely.”
“Good.” Avery could hear the smirk in her reply.
“Good,” Avery parroted back.
“Okay.”
“Okay.” At the giggle in her ear, Avery increased the volume on her phone.
“Kadence is the best.”
Avery didn’t miss a beat. “Kadence is the best.”
Kadence laughed. “Okay, enough of that. I have an invitation for you, as well.”
“Oh?” Avery quirked her brow, interest piqued. “And what’s that?”
“Are you home right now?”
“I am.”
A knock on the apartment door interrupted their conversation. Avery groaned. “Hey, Kae. Hold on a sec. Someone’s at the door.” She placed her phone on the kitchen counter, skidding to a halt in front of the apartment entrance. Rising to her tiptoes, she peered through the peep hole.
“Kae?” She unlatched the door. “What are you doing here?”
Kadence’s lips quirked to the side. “Inviting you, of course.”
“To?”
“Melody’s wedding.” Kadence held out an envelope.
Avery’s head tilted in confusion at the cardstock wedding invitation. “But I was already invited.”
“You were invited as a guest. I…” Kadence ducked her head. She inhaled before straightening to meet Avery’s gaze directly. “Avery, I want to invite you as my date.”
“Oh.” Avery’s skin grew hot. “Okay.” A grin spread across her face.
“Okay?” Kadence said with twinkling eyes, her own features following suit with a grin.
“Okay.”
Kadence laughed. “Are we really doing this again?”
“Yes. But it’ll be better this time. I promise I won’t be a complete dick like I was back then.”
“Not a complete dick.” Kadence smiled in understanding. “You were good for the majority of the evening. It was just toward the end when things got a bit, umm, messy.”
“You can say that again.”
“You were hurt.” Kadence reached out to grasp Avery’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “But I know you now. We’re okay.”
Avery gnawed the inside of her lip.
“You do believe me, right? You trust me like I trust you?”
Avery gave a bashful nod.
“Good,” Kadence whispered, hovering closer.
“Good,” Avery replied just as gently. Her gaze fell to soft lips and for a moment, Kadence’s did, too. Emerald eyes twinkled. Waiting. Just go for it, Bennett. You’re gonna miss your chance if you…
“Umm.” Kadence shivered. “I should probably get going.”
What did I tell you?
“Claire and Talia are still at Melody’s and I’m not being a very good maid of honor by ditching them.”
“Oh, of course.” Avery nodded. “I mean, not of course to you being a good maid of honor. I mean, a bad maid of honor. I meant that you’re a good maid of honor. You’re a good everything...wait. I just mean that…”
Her idiotic rambling was rewarded by Kadence stepping forward and placing a soft kiss to her lips, cutting her off. Stunned, Avery barely managed to reciprocate before Kadence pulled away. Everything tingled.
“I...I…”
Kadence giggled again, pecking her cheek. “You’re cute.”
“You...” was all Avery managed to sputter in her awestruck wonder.
Green eyes sparkled as Kadence tucked a stray hair behind Avery’s ear. “Goodnight, Avery.” Kadence bid her a gentle farewell.
The softness of her tone wrapped itself around Avery, filling her with warmth. She was unable to get her jelly legs to move until Kadence descended the staircase and vanished out of sight. She spent the rest of the night tracing the outline of her lips, remembering the press of soft, warm skin against them.
***
They didn’t talk about the kiss. In fact, they barely talked at all with Kadence being so busy hosting her two future sisters-in-law. Avery knew she shouldn’t fret. But she wanted to discuss it—them. And the press of petal soft lips, coconut scented perfume, and the subtle caress of fingertips across her cheek as they tucked hair behind her ear. The unusual lack of communication caused her to worry that Kadence thought the entire thing was a mistake.
Avery needed to ensure that Kadence had no doubts about her intentions. That her feelings were genuine and that she was ready to make the effort. To make the first move, even. As long as her stupid, thirsty brain didn’t turn into mush around the green-eyed goddess.
A week went by before their next reunion. It was humid outside when the three vehicles finally made it to the campground. Avery was thankful her unruly hair was secured under the snapback on her head as she climbed out of the backseat. Like magnets, her eyes sought out Kadence standing by the familiar red SUV. She was in the middle of braiding her hair into a long, single French braid that rested on her shoulder.
The simple beauty of the woman made Avery’s breath hitch, cheeks tinting a hue bright enough to rival the vehicle Kadence stood next to. As if Kadence detected her catch of breath, she turned to meet her gaze. Avery offered a shy wave. Kadence, hands occupied with her hair, responded back with a full-blown smile and a wink that made Avery’s heart rate run amok.
The band of friends sought out a level area to start assembling their tents and unloading their bags of gear. They then broke into task forces to finish setting up their weekend home.
“Hey.” Avery greeted Kadence after she and Emma finished building the fire. The Cooper siblings were sorting through their meals, having been placed in charge of food. This, admittedly, had been due to the fact that Avery couldn’t be trusted around snacks and Lola had an irrational fear of fire.
Kadence turned at the sound of her voice and the movement swayed her braid perfectly across her shoulder in the process. Avery swallowed thickly. They had been in the same position a few months ago, but Avery had been too shallow, her one-track mind too distracted by a toned body and long legs.
You’re still distracted by those things, dumbass. Shut up! But now, things were different. Now, she was invested. And though there was no denying Kadence’s figure was definitely captivating, there was also an incredibly beautiful part of her that Avery had fallen even deeper in love with.
“Hello, Avery.” Kadence blushed as she hunched over one of their supply bags, zipper peeling apart where it was held between her index finger and thumb. “Wanna help me start cooking lunch? You can be sous-chef?” She bit her lip to hide her smile, both of them knowing Avery was the more talented cook of the two.
“Absolutely.” Avery grinned, crouching down to sort through their various options.
“There are beef patties in the cooler.”
Avery retrieved them. “Are these as good as Five Guys?” she asked, watching the memory flash in Kadence’s green eyes.
Kadence smiled. “Hopefully better this time.”
“Better,” Avery repeated, the two sharing a moment as they sifted through their stash of food. When they reached the bottom, Avery caught sight of a familiar red and white label, fighting back a smile as she turned the can in her hand.
“Shh.” Kadence placed a finger on her mouth with a mischievous grin. “There’s only a few of them for you. We’ll hide them in our tent later.”
Avery felt the inside of her chest expand. “Secret’s safe with me.” Avery nudged her playfully but the touch between them felt electric, both cheeks matching with the same rosy hue.
“What’s taking you two so long?” Emma called from the fire pit.
“We should probably…”
“Yeah I…”
They both said at the same time, as they inched their way to the waiting roommate perched on a stump near the crackling flames.
***
They stirred up a few veggies w
hile Avery flipped the burgers, the smell wafting into the warm summer breeze, making her stomach rumble. Rounding up the gang, the group circled the fire with their canteens and granola bars.
“So, we’re thinking of going out for a hike after lunch, now that the tents are set up,” Jayce said, taking a bite of the jerky that Lola split with him. He gave a grateful thank you, smiling like a lovesick fool. Avery immediately found herself looking at Kadence the same way.
“I would be down for that,” Emma piped in, turning to Avery. “Avery, you in?”
Avery blinked, having only partially paid attention to the conversation, mouth preoccupied with stuffing the cheesy burger into her mouth while her eyes were glued to the delicate way Kadence held her burger between her fingers.
“Yo, Bennett!” Melody kicked some dirt in her direction, a few chunks getting stuck in her laces. “Pay attention.” The instigator scoffed as Avery cowered back.
“Mel, stop it.” Kadence rolled her eyes. “She likes you,” Kadence said, leaning to reassure Avery with a soft whisper. “She just doesn’t like that she likes you.”
Avery muttered a quick negation before shaking her head. “I think I’ll pass on the hike. I’ve only got so much energy stored up for this weekend. I’ve got to spend it wisely.” She patted her stomach.
Kadence giggled at her side while Emma shrugged, leaning into her boyfriend. Avery surveyed their circle of friends, resisting the urge to groan in jealousy as all of the couples expressed their affection for one another. She felt, more than saw, Kadence tense as well, clearly noticing the same.
“Me, too, actually,” Kadence added a second later, a sort of stiffness to her voice.
“Kadence, really? You never turn down hiking,” Danny gasped. “Avery, what have you done to my friend?” He looked between the two before securing his arm around Emma’s shoulders.
Kadence let loose an airy giggle. “I promise I’ll go on the next hike. But I have my own reason, not equated to laziness.” Kadence grinned as Avery’s jaw dropped. Her green eyes twinkled as she gave Avery a gentle nudge to assure her it was all in jest.