Page 25 of Kayla's List

“I didn’t realize it was already three in the morning. Let me walk you to your room.” Anderson leads us to the elevators once I give him my room number. We hold hands the entire way, and it feels so natural to be so close to him.

After Anderson walks me to my room, kisses me on the cheek, and promises to call me later, he leaves. I was expecting another toe curling kiss, but I’m glad he didn’t give me that. I might have asked him to stay, and I know I’m not ready for that. Hell, I’m not ready for him!

12

Cross Them Off Sis

KAYLA

“Istill can’t believe you left with Anderson last night, Kayla. That’s so unlike you,” Emani says from the lounge chair next to me.

The conference is over, and it’s our last full day in Vegas, so we decided to go to a pool party. Actually, Shelby decided it was time for me to cross more items off my list since we were in Vegas, and “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

I couldn’t help but agree because although Shelby can be a little pushy, she’s only doing what I asked. Besides, we all know that my list would collect dust if my friends weren’t by my side, encouraging me to put effort into accomplishing the goal of crossing everything off.

“Girl, whatever! After that scorching tongue down, I can’t believe she came back!” Shelby exclaims, then sips her fruity drink. I blush at her words.

I still can’t believe Anderson kissed me like that. It was our first kiss, and it left a lasting impression.

“So, what did ya’ll do anyway?” Emani asks.

I roll my eyes because I’ve already told her exactly what we did last night. “Mani, I told you all about our date. Anderson was a perfect gentleman, and I had a good time.”

“I believe you, Kay. I just… he was so possessive at the club, and after that kiss, I wouldn’t blame you if you slept with him last night. I mean… no judgment. Plus, it’s not like you haven’t slept with him already, so…”

I sit up and look at Emani while clutching my imaginary pearls. She said no judgment, but she sure is sounding like Judge Judy to me.

“First of all, I didn’tsleepwith Anderson that night. Well, I didn’t have sex with him, and you know that. We had a whole conversation about it, or did you so conveniently forget while sitting up there on your high horse?” I ask with a quirk in my brow.

I know Emani is a little prudish, but we normally agree, so I hadn’t had to think about her views before, especially since they were usually directed at Shelby. I guess I’ve been pretty judgmental myself now that I think about it.

“Emani knows that you didn’t sleep with Andy, Kay. But I must say that I’m pretty shocked that you left with him. That is pretty wild for you,” Shelby says, humming her approval.

I swear my friends are the embodiment of the angel and devil on my shoulder. But I guess I’ve never agreed so much with the devil before now.

“I said, no judgment.” Emani raises her hands.

“Well, it sounds like it. So, put down your gavel and pay attention. We’re done talking about Andy for now,” Shelby cuts in before I can start feeling bad for my choices. “What you need to do is take off that cover-up and show those curves in that bikini so you can cross that off your list,” she continues with a devious smile on her face.

Shelby’s dark brown cheeks lift, and her eyes twinkle, showing just how funny she thought my humiliation was. I can’t believe I’m wearing a bikini in the first place. Well, actually, I can’t believe I added that to my list.

I’ve never worn a bikini in my life. I’m a shorts and t-shirt or a one-piece if it’s absolutely necessary for me to wear a swimsuit, but a bikini… Never!

“This isn’t the beach, so technically, I can’t cross anything out,” I argue, not wanting to take off my tropical print Kimono.

“Whatever, heffa. This is a pool party, and it has sand,” Shelby says, pointing to the manmade beach on the other side of the pool. “So, close enough. And I’m about to finesse us some passes to get into the VIP section.”

“We don’t need to be in VIP, Shell,” Emani says with an exasperated sigh.

I’m not sure what’s up with her today. Although we are all different, and Emani is usually Shelby’s conscience, she seems slightly more uptight than usual.

“This trip is about helping Kayla and her bucket list,Emani.Number twenty and twenty-three are crash a party and wear a bikini if I remember correctly.”

“You wrote them, so you should remember them,” I mumble indignantly.

I know Shelby heard me when she gives me a cheeky smile and a wink. I roll my eyes, but I smile back at her. They were her suggestions, but she didn’t force me to write those things on my list, so I might as well let her help me cross them off.

So, I stand up, take a deep fortifying breath, and strip off my Kimono. My girls cheer and whistle like I’ve done some sort of striptease, and I giggle at their foolishness. But I secretly love how they hype me up.