“Okay, okay,” Dana said with a grin.
“Yes ma’am,” the other girls replied in unison.
Isabella leaned in and quietly said to Kelsey, “We’re a couple.”
Kelsey nodded and squeezed her hand.
Isabella sat back in relief. So far, so good.
It had been such a strange day. Kelsey was relieved when she was able to look into Isabella’s eyes and that giant hug on the plane certainly helped. She had no idea what their relationship looked like going forward, but there wasn't any awkwardness between them for now.
The strange part was having someone else with them. They usually traveled alone and experienced these trips together, just the two of them. But not just anyone was with them this trip: It was Kelsey’s daughters and friends. It made Kelsey tentative. Where she usually didn’t hesitate to reach over and squeeze Isabella’s hand or bump her shoulder, now she was aware of every time they touched.
As they were walking through the airport Kelsey glanced over at Isabella and smiled.
Isabella put her arm through Kelsey’s, “Relax, this is going to be fun.”
Kelsey sighed. “I hope so.”
Once they’d made it to the resort everything happened quickly. They were whisked away to their rooms which were on the ground floor and poolside. Carmen’s kids, Tanner and Mia, were waiting to greet them at the pool. After quick introductions they made plans to meet at the pool bar once they’d unpacked.
Kelsey left her room and was about to knock on Isabella’s door when it opened.
“Hey,” Isabella said.
“Hey.” Kelsey felt her heart begin to hammer in her chest. “Maybe we could sneak away for our beach walk after dinner and talk.”
“I’d like that, Kels,” Isabella said with a smile.
The way Isabella said her name and the look in her eyes sent warmth through Kelsey’s body. All she wanted to do was kiss her. It was as if their kisses last month had opened some kind of gate and all the feelings Kelsey had been trying to tamp down were now free.
“Hey, Mom,” Dana said excitedly, walking over to them. “This place is amazing. Thank you so much for bringing us.”
Kelsey smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“Come on Isabella.” Dana grabbed her hand. “I want one of those fruity drinks you’re always showing in your posts.”
Isabella looked back at Kelsey with a grin. “Come on, Mom,” she implored her.
Kelsey chuckled and followed behind them.
As everyone got their drinks Tanner and Mia were quick to tell Kelsey’s girls how much fun they’d had with her at Christmas.
“Yeah,” Dana said. “We messed that up.”
“We thought we wanted to do our own thing at Christmas, but we were wrong,” Emma added.
“What?” Kelsey exclaimed. “I can’t believe you’re admitting it.”
“It wasn’t so great for you either,” Dana said.
Kelsey looked over at Isabella. “We had a wonderful Christmas, didn’t we, Bella?”
“Yeah we did. It would’ve been nice to have our families with us, but we made new friends,” Isabella said.
“And family,” Mia added. “The Peaches crew loves you both.”
“That’s the bar on the other island, right?” Dana asked.