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“Oh yeah, she’s going to be pissed a while about this one,” Bunny muttered through the grin and kissed Bea again. “And I don’t fucking care.”

“She said she had a plan.”

“I’m sure I just ruined it.” Bunny kissed Bea again, cupping her cheeks and holding her before pulling away. “I’ll take the brunt of it.”

Bea laughed lightly. “I think we can handle this one together.”

“Sure.” Bunny slid her hand down Bea’s arm and laced their fingers together. She nodded at Piper and held up her microphone again. “I’m going to let Piper and Jo sing one more song before we come together for the finale.”

Bunny didn’t wait as she dragged Bea off the stage. Piper did exactly what she should have done and took over the concert. Bea was amazed at how well the two of them worked together, though she shouldn’t have been because they’d been together for so long. She and Jo were the same—for the most part.

Bea stopped at the bottom of the stairs when Bunny wrapped an arm around her waist and pointed at Siena with her free hand. “Yell at me later.”

“Fine. It’ll be a good reaming, and you owe me a bottle of tequila.”

Bunny raised her eyebrows at Bea, and Bea instantly knew there was something she was missing, something that only the two of them understood from their long acquaintanceship.

Bunny faced Siena again, a serious look gracing her features. “Tequila? Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m going to need that after this.” Siena pointed between the two of them. “Some warning would have been nice.”

“Says the woman who tells me I never take risks.”

“Bunny,” Bea said, interjecting. “Now isn’t the time.”

Bunny pursed her lips and then focused back on Bea. “Fine, but only because you’re a really good distraction right now.”

Bea snorted out a laugh. She caught Bunny’s full attention, flicking her gaze between Bunny’s dark eyes and her thin lips. “I love you.”

Bunny’s lips pulled upward. “Finally.”

“It’s not like you waited that long!” Bea complained.

“Long enough.” Bunny pulled her in for another kiss.

Bea was completely wrapped up in her when Piper and Jo called for them to go back on stage. Bunny followed her up the stairs, the stage now completely covered in a fine layer of snow. Would it stick? Would they wake up to a white Christmas tomorrow? Bea wrapped her arm in Bunny’s, walking together.

She never wanted to let go. She never wanted to forget this moment or let it end. Then again, tomorrow would probably be just as good, right? If not better? Tomorrow would be the two of them and no one else in the world. They’d be able to start fresh right before the new year, making their lives what they wanted them to be.

“It seems most fitting tonight, that the song that’ll be our last isWhite Christmas.” Bunny grinned as the crowd went wild again.

Bea couldn’t wipe the smile from her lips. She couldn’t imagine being happier than she was now. She’d needed this, more than she knew. Piper and Jo locked arms together, standing next to Bunny and Bea. They faced the concert goers as the music started up. Bea took a deep breath, finding her center and focusing on the musical notes.

She never could have dreamed this up.

It had to be real.

THIRTY-SIX

jo

The roar of the crowd buoyed Jo off the stage, down the stairs, and right into Piper’s open arms. Piper laughed as she swung Jo around.

“That was amazing,” Jo squealed as Piper put her back on her feet.

Piper’s hands were still warm and present on Jo’s hips, and it took everything in her to resist placing her own hands over the top of Piper’s. She met Piper’s eyes, and the electric energy that crackled beneath her skin from the charity event multiplied by hundreds.

“You’re incredible.” Piper smiled as one hand lifted from Jo’s hips and brushed an escaped curl behind Jo’s ear.