Page 64 of HER SISTER

"Just so you know, Kiara is the childhood best friend I talked to you about."

Mili hummed as we walked across the sand—I had officially changed into a red two-piece bikini that Mili picked out for me, which I wore a pair of ripped Levi's shorts over.

Meanwhile, Mili was in a patterned bikini top that showed off her toned stomach and arms while she wore loose linen pants.

I swear she looked good in anything.

"The childhood best friend?" Mili repeated back to me in clarification, clearly knowing that I had kissed her.

But in the end, Kiara ended up politely rejecting me.

Still, it was something that I had previously told Mili about.

I nodded as we approached the bonfire, "That's her," I said, hoping Mili wouldn't feel too awkward.

If she did, I wouldn't hesitate to go home.

I would never want to put her in an uncomfortable situation.

Mili smirked slightly as she pulled her long straightened hair back into a low ponytail.

"With how I just had you in that bathroom, I really don't think there's an issue," she said, clearly not intimidated or uncomfortable by the mention of my best friend.

I pursed my lips when my face managed to grow unbearably hot, easily earning a laugh from Mili.

"You're so fucking cute when you blush," she said, leaning down to press a kiss to my cheek and then my lips.

I gave her a skeptical look as I reciprocated the brief kiss, "So you do enjoy making me blush?"

Mili's lips twitched up in amusement, "Oh of course, I never denied it," she determined, instinctively snaking her arm around my waist as we began walking through the large crowd closer to the bonfire.

And as we walked past everyone who was focused on their own conversations, I made sure to keep an eye out for my best friend.

But the glow of the bonfire could only illuminate so many faces, and I knew it would be hard to actually find Kiara.

"No way..." I heard a familiar voice trail off.

Just like that, Mili and I were turning around, easily laying eyes on the light-skinned girl who had her long wavy hair down while she wore a yellow bikini top and Nike athletic shorts.

I smiled as I met her familiar hazel eyes, "Hi Ki," I said speechlessly, clearly not knowing what else to say.

Meanwhile, Kiara only managed to pull me into a full-on hug—easily causing Mili to unravel her arm from my waist.

"I swear I'd spot your jet black hair from a mile away," Kiara joked as I hugged her back, "I actually can't believe you're here right now."

I laughed as we pulled back from the brief hug, "Yeah, it was a last minute trip—I couldn't make it for Christmas," I said.

Kiara shook her head, "Oh I know, when your parents told me the news, I was devastated," she joked as she took a sip from her red solo cup, "So how is LA—" she suddenly looked to Mili, "—And who is this?" she asked, clearly curious about my other life.

I smiled—so wide, it almost felt like a grin, "This is my girlfriend, Mili," I introduced her.

Mili didn't hesitate to hold her hand out, "It's nice to meet you," she said as they briefly shook hands.

Kiara smiled, "You as well," she said to her before she looked back to me, "I knew someone would snatch you up as soon as you stepped foot in LA," she joked, and I couldn't help but laugh slightly.

"I don't know... that wasn't exactly first on my list," I admitted, knowing I planned to focus on school, but then Mili and everything else managed to happen.

Kiara jokingly rolled her eyes, "Ana, seriously, look at yourself. You never have to plan anything," she said, and I couldn't miss the way Mili raised a slight brow at Kiara's statement.

And even at Mili's slightest skepticism, I was willing to drag her away and bid Kiara goodbye.

Well, until she managed to lean into me and say, "I'm going to go grab us some drinks."

And it was clear that she was trying to give us space to catch up.

Maybe I was reading her wrong?

Maybe she was just being observant rather than skeptical?

I nodded, "Don't be too long," I whispered.

Mili hummed in acknowledgment, suddenly leaning down into me to press a kiss to my lips.

And it wasn't like our typically brief kisses—no, this one was deeper, especially when she managed to slide her hand around the side of my neck to tilt my head up for more access.

As her lips moved perfectly against mine, I couldn't fight the heat coating my body.

Even as we pulled away from the deep kiss, Mili managed to press another kiss to my lips, but this one was more brief, along with the one she pressed to my cheek.

When she pulled away completely, I couldn't help but determine that I definitely didn't read her wrong.

Even I knew that the kiss we just shared was to prove a point.

I turned back to Kiara when Mili walked away toward the coolers, "So um how's surfing?" I questioned, clearly flushed as I looked back to her.

And Kiara seemed to be still processing what she had just witnessed, but somehow she shook it off, shaking her head as she said, "It's good—I'm planning to go off professionally this year."

I smiled, "That's amazing, Ki," I said as I suddenly handed her the bottle of rosé wine that my mom told me to bring.

Kiara's eyes lit up as she took the bottle, "Okay momma Cato is officially responsible for providing more of these for more bonfires to come," she joked.

I laughed, "You know she'd never share her rosé—I'm surprised she even gave me the bottle," I said easily earning a laugh from Kiara—who was curiously looking past me.

I tilted my head, following her line of sight to a girl who was taking off her cover-up.

"Wait," I suddenly turned back to my best friend with confusion, "Are you..." I suddenly trailed off, clearly not wanting to just openly say it, especially after I managed to kiss her a couple of years back and she rejected me.

But with how Kiara just eyed that girl up and down, I couldn't help but come to my own assumptions.

Kiara pursed her lips into a smile, "Yeah, you were sort of my awakening—I just didn't want to come to terms with that when it all happened," she admitted, and I couldn't stop my brows from raising slightly, "I'm really sorry for rejecting you how I did," she whispered, and it was obvious she had thought about it.

I only shook my head, "Don't be sorry. You were completely polite about it," I assured her as Mili managed to make her way back over.

And I couldn't help but feel lucky for Mili's presence, suddenly feeling completely awkward around my best friend—whose intentions I couldn't quite pinpoint anymore.

I just wanted to talk to Mili first before diving back into Kiara and I's usual dynamic—mostly because of what happened in the past.

I know if the roles were reversed, I would want Mili to check in with me.

"Okay, well, I'll see you around the island?" I questioned, subtly hinting at our leave.

Kiara didn't hesitate to nod, "Of course-yeah, you know I'll be by the water," she said.

I shot her one last smile before walking off with Mili towards the ocean.

And it was clear Mili was confused, especially when she said, "You didn't want to catch up more?"

I shook my head as we sat in the warm sand by the water, "It got kind of awkward when she told me I was her awakening," I admitted awkwardly.

Mili only hummed, "I figured it was going that direction with the way she was eyeing you up and down and complimenting you," she said, clearly not bothered by the new information.

I blinked a few times, "So you're not uncomfortable or anything?" I said, suddenly turning to Mili.

Mili only shrugged, "I'm not dating her—I'm dating you," she said, suddenly leaning down to my ear, "And you know who you belong to," she murmured, easily sending a warmth coating down my body.

I hummed breathlessly—suddenly feeling not just shy but speechless as well.

Mili suddenly pulled back to meet my stare, "And something tells me, she knows who you belong to as well," she added, pressing a fleeting kiss to my lips before looking past me.

I furrowed my brows as I turned around—quickly noticing Kiara off near the bonfire with her attention subtly on us.

I turned back around to Mili about to discuss this topic more, but I was quickly halted when I noticed her sliding off her cargo pants.

"What are you doing?" I questioned as I stood up with her.

Mili gave me a smirk, "Going for a swim," she determined, suddenly looking down at my denim shorts before she said, "You down to join me?"

I shook my head when she suddenly took off toward the dark water that I knew would be warm—probably warmer in Mili's arms.

The idea alone made me quickly pull down my shorts before taking off toward the ocean behind her.

"Lani!" I laughed out as she purposefully swam further and further away from me.

Mili only laughed as she turned around, "Catch me if you can," she said, swimming toward the right once we had made it out deep enough.

I didn't hesitate to take a right as well, "And if I can?" I called out as I swam towards her.

Mili smirked back at me, "Catch me first and you'll see," she teased me.

But little did she know that I grew up by the ocean practically every day.

Not only could I swim but I could surf as well.

Which means if I really put my mind to it, I could—

"Caught you," I said as I slid my arms around her torso and pulled her back into me.

A laugh fell from Mili's lips, "Okay, competitive swimmer—" she suddenly turned around to me, "Guess what you won," she said, carefully looking between my eyes.

I hummed as if I was thinking about it, when in reality, I wasn't.

"A girlfriend who doesn't smother me in my sleep?" I said, clearly joking with her.

Mili dramatically scoffed, "Nah you love cuddling with me, so don't even go there," she said with an amused smile.

I giggled as I tugged her closer to me, "Yeah, you're right or whatever," I joked back.

Mili's amused smile grew softer as she leaned down into me, "A kiss—you get a kiss and a bedtime story for winning."

I made a fake shocked expression, "No way? Really?" I asked, suddenly acting over-excited, which earned another laugh from Mili.

"Why are we like this?" she laughed yet again as she pressed a brief kiss to my lips.

I laughed as we pulled back, "What? Amazing? Funny? Childish?" I questioned back as I leaned up into her.

Mili hummed to herself, "All the above," she murmured, meeting me halfway for another kiss.

But this one was deeper and much more passionate.

Everything felt so perfect and calm under the full moon that managed to reflect against us and the smooth ocean.

I kissed Mili even deeper, softening the kiss as I slid my hands up her perfect body.

Everything inside of me felt like it was going to explode as our bodies practically molded together perfectly.

Mili gently caressed my cheek as our lips moved gently against one another.

And I couldn't help but notice that familiar feeling.

How loved she makes me feel.

How loved I actively tried to make her feel too.

It was now becoming such a constant theme that I couldn't help but wonder if she noticed it too.

A soft breath fell from my lips as we gently pulled back, allowing our noses to rest against one another while we remained still in the warm water.

Mili suddenly slid her arms around my waist and pulled me into a full-on hug—humming to herself as she nuzzled her face into the crook of my neck.

A soft smile grew on my lips as I leaned in even deeper into the hug, sliding my arms around her torso as the calm air circled around us.

This definitely felt like a core memory that we would reminisce on.

Me, Her—and the moon.