Chapter Thirty-Seven

MACKENZIE

“You really need to stop getting me drunk!” I said as the curtains opened and the blinding light threatened to shatter my corneas.

“Me? I’m sorry, you’re the one who insisted on taking shots!” Fallon laughed and ripped the covers off. “Just get up, buttercup. Breakfast is calling.” She smacked me on the ass, and I let out an involuntary moan, jumping up to glare at her.

“What?” she asked, staring back.

I smirked ever so slightly and whispered, “Run, Sunshine.”

And she did—laughing and shouting down the hall to the kitchen until I jumped onto the island and landed right in front of her.

“That’s cheating,” she said in between breaths as I pulled her close and kissed her.

She pushed me off and turned around to grab the cooked bacon from the pan. As she placed it on a plate, I stood behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and nuzzling my nose into the crook of her neck, peppering it with kisses.

“You know, I think I could get used to waking up with you half-naked in my kitchen everyday.”

She hummed as we started naturally swaying back and forth slowly. This was a life I could’ve gotten used to if I wasn’t careful.

After a few minutes of watching her cook, I spun her around and started slow dancing with her.

“What are you doing, babe? There’s no music playing.”

“Your voice is the only music I need.” She rolled her eyes, and I kissed her nose.

“Jesus, you are so lame.”

“Yeah, but you like me anyway.” I winked.

She grinned from ear to ear, and I swore her smile never failed to almost knock me out. I never wanted these moments between us to end. I really was becoming lame, but I was oddly comfortable with it.

“For now, if you’re on your best behavior.” She giggled.

“I know it’s breakfast, but I think I would much rather have dessert instead.” I winked.

She playfully punched my shoulder. “Keep it in your pants, for now. Sit, sit,” she said, pointing to the stool by the island.

I pulled it out and sat down. She turned around, holding two plates of food—bacon, sausage, and pieces of toast with eggs and cheese in the center. It smelled absolutely delicious.

I took a bite and moaned so loudly she gasped, turning pink.

“Should I be jealous that I was sitting over here when you made that sound?” she asked, biting her lip.

“I’m sorry, it’s just so good!” I said, with a mouthful of food and embarrassment on my face. “I’ll make it up to you later.”

We spent the whole day lounging around the house, talking more about spending Thanksgiving with her family. It reminded me that I needed to call Harper. I went into the other room so Fallon wouldn’t distract me—she was a professional at that by now.

“Hey, sis,” I said cheerfully, hoping she’d match my energy.

“What do you want?” She sounded suspicious. “You sound too happy. What’s wrong?” Damn my sister!

“Why do you always assume something’s wrong? Can’t I just be happy to talk to you?”

She sighed loudly on the other end. “Alright, alright. I’m glad you’re in a good mood. What’s up?”

I took a deep breath. “Well,” I said, my voice a few octaves too high. “I wanted to talk to you about Thanksgiving. Do you have a minute?”

“Yes,” she said slowly. “What about it? You’re still coming over, aren’t you?”

I really hated this. I was more scared of disappointing my sister than anyone else in my life. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I haven’t said yes yet, but Fallon invited me to spend Thanksgiving with her in Portland, and obviously, I want to go, but I wanted to run it by you first.”

I sat there while the line was quiet for so long, I honestly thought she hung up.

“Boog, I love you. You know that, right?”

“Yes?” I said hesitantly. Where the hell was she going with this?

“I can’t even express how happy I am for you that you’ve found Fallon. Of course, I’m sad and want you here for Thanksgiving, but that’s selfish. If you want to go, then I think you should.”

“Are you sure? I know how important family time is to you, especially on holidays.”

“Kenzie, seriously, go! Family is important, and it sounds like you’re finding a second one, which is equally as important.”

I smiled sweetly. “I don’t know if I’d go that far, but maybe. Her family is so special to her, and if she wants me there, I want to be there. Thank you for understanding.”

“Thank you for talking to me about it. It means a lot that you wanted my opinion. I love you, Boog.”

“I love you, too. Oh, and Harp?” I felt a nervous flutter in my stomach, but I needed to tell someone.

“Yeah, Kenz?”

I took a deep breath and whispered so Fallon couldn’t hear, “I think I’m going to tell her how I feel. She needs to know.”

I think I knew I was in love with Fallon long before that first night we went out. I knew I felt something for her that was more than just friendship, but because of my past, I was so afraid to admit it—a part of me still was. But I couldn’t let that stop me from going after what I wanted, and that was Fallon.

“Yeah? Honey, that’s amazing. We’ve all known for a while, but I’m glad you finally figured your shit out. And don’t worry, that woman loves you more than the air she breathes.”

I cleared my throat. “I better go, she’s waiting for me. I love you, Harp.”

“Love you, Kenz.”

I hung up and went back out to Fallon, who was on the patio.

“I’m sorry, babe. Sisterly talk. She’s chatty.”

She smiled when I came out and handed me a glass of wine. “It’s okay. I wanted to give you your space. I know family is important to you, which is one thing I… really like about you.”

I looked at her with raised brows. “Anyway, she was sad I wouldn’t be there, but she understood some things are just too important to pass up,” I said with a smile. “Speaking of… I was wondering if I could take you out on a date?”

“What do you mean? We’ve been on dates.”

I smiled. “True, but not a real one as an actual couple. I want to properly take you out.”

“Well, I guess I can’t argue with that, can I? Fine. What did you have in mind?”

“Oh, it’s a surprise.” I winked.

“Is that so? I’m sure I can find some way to get it out of you.” She walked over to my chair and straddled me.

My body surged with heat, and I was convinced she could get anything out of me without saying a word. But I would never tell her that.

“I’m sure you could try,” I said, caressing her hips as she kissed below my ear and down to my neck.

She spent the rest of the night trying to make me tell her about the date. I would’ve never told her the truth, but she could’ve gotten anything she wanted with just her smile.