Page 142 of Not Until Her

The door opens before we get to it, and Vic steps out in a beautiful blue, floral dress. She smiles so sincerely when she sees us, that my body has the sudden urge to produce tears. I clear my throat before I go in to hug her.

“Happy birthday, babe!” I kiss her cheek when I pull away. “You arestunning! This dress is everything.”

At that, she feels around the sides of the dress and slips her hands inside the fabric.

“It has pockets!”

“It’s a ten out of ten from me,” I say.

Then I gently grab Kara’s hand and pull her a little closer.

Vic doesn’t give a second of hesitation before going in to hug her.

“Thank you for coming!” she tells her. “I love your outfit.”

Kara slips her hands into the pockets on her skirt and gives a little wave to show them off. Vic lets out an amazed laugh.

“I need one!”

They make more small talk, telling each other where they shop, and I step past Vic to go inside. Everyone’s in the living room, and they all turn to stare at me when I walk in.

“Play it cool,” I mouth to the room.

Lacey and Wyatt, a couple of Miles' friends, look just fine. They’re maybe a little confused, which makes sense if no one has filled them in yet. Julian is his normal self, his ever-calm demeanor in place.

Autumn looks way too nervous, and my heart sinks for a minute. She’s another person that told me she was ready for this, but now I’m worried she only told me what I wanted to hear. Before I can ask if she’s okay, Kara steps up beside me. She gives the room an awkward wave, and it’s returned by everyone but Autumn and Miles. He looks pretty uncomfortable too now that I actually look.

Crap.

Well, there’s no going back now.

“Let’s get you two some drinks,” Vic says cheerily from behind us.

My beloved icebreaker.

Kara takes my hand as we turn to follow her into the kitchen. Only once we’re hidden behind a wall do I lift hers to kiss the back of it.

“You’re amazing,” I whisper. “You’re a star.”

She scoffs under her breath.

“I love you, but tone it down a notch. I’m not freaking out, it’s okay.”

I wouldn’t say all of the worry falls off my shoulders, but at least a few pebbles of it tumble down.

“We have margaritas, juice, water, and–obviously–Pepsi.” Vic gestures to the counter full of things with a flourish, and I giggle.

“How is a girl to choose?”

Without another word, she goes to hand me a can of Pepsi, but I shake my head.

“You kidding me? I need adrink.” I tug on Kara. “What are you thinking?”

“A margarita sounds nice.”

“Strawberry, blackberry, or peach?”

If this was a cartoon, I’d have heart eyes at our options.