Page 40 of Finding Wonderland

Pulling Isla toward her, Vera framed her face with her hands and kissed her. She no longer cared about Cameron’s presence; she had to kiss Isla. Vera felt Isla run her hand up her back, only to pause as she quickly took a step back from Vera.

“Oh, Cameron. Hi.”

“Hey,” Cameron waved, a smirk forming on her lips. “I promise I’m not a creep.”

“She was helping me get ready,” Vera quickly chimed in.

“Because Vera decided her entire closet was useless.”

“I had nothing to wear.”

“So, I took care of her.” Cameron nodded toward Vera. “I think I did good.”

“I’ll say you did.” Isla’s arched eyebrow and smile would undoubtedly be the death of Vera.

Gathering her bag off the small table by the front door, Isla and Vera waved goodbye to Cameron before making their way toward the driveway. Vera hoped Cameron knew to leave as soon as they left, but she made a mental note to make sure of her absence before they arrived back home. Her mind was running wild with thoughts of how the night might end when Isla slowly pushed her against the car and began kissing her.

Every fiber in Vera’s body screamed for more. More of Isla’s mouth on her body. More of Isla’s lips on hers. More of Isla, period.

And it was clear that Isla felt the same way.

After what could have been thirty seconds or thirty minutes, Isla took a step back from Vera. They were both breathless as they smiled at each other.

“Hi.”

“Hi.”

“That’s a preview of what’s after dinner.”

With a wink, Isla reached around Vera’s waist and opened the passenger side door for her. Vera caught another quick kiss before getting into the car. She watched Isla walk around the car and take a moment to catch her breath before getting inside.

The drive to the restaurant at the Moonflower Cove Inn was short, barely a few minutes. Vera had made the reservation for them and requested there be candles on the table for them. She hoped Isla liked it. As Isla parked the car, Vera put her hand on her arm.

“Wait.” Quickly getting out of the car, Vera nearly jogged around it to open the door for Isla. She held her hand out to her, helping her out of the vehicle. Isla’s smile was the brightest light in the night sky, and Vera was enamored by it. Hand in hand, they walked into the restaurant.

“Hello, we have a reservation for two. Forsyth.”

“Yes, of course.” The host looked disgruntled at the sight of them holding hands but they both held firm. Vera knew for things to change, people had to be willing to change them. “Right this way.”

They followed the semi-reluctant host to a table with a view of the mountains just beyond the window. Even with the sunlight below the horizon, the view was still beautiful. But not nearly as beautiful as the one in front of her.

“This is lovely,” Isla commented as she ran her hands over the soft petals of the rose in a vase on the table. “And so are you.”

“Right back at you.”

As they perused their menus, they held hands on the table the entire time. Normally, Vera wasn’t one for public displays of affection. But things were different with Isla; they were comfortable. Easy. She didn’t care who judged them; especially not the older couple a few tables away. Isla and Vera were happy and that was all that mattered.

Isla must have sensed her thoughts, as she squeezed Vera’s hand. “It won’t always be like this.”

They sat their menus down as they looked into each other’s eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“The stares. The silent judging. I know that one day, it’s not going to matter who you love. At least that’s my hope. That’s the world I want Mason to grow up in. One where people don’t judge you simply because you’re holding hands with the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Isla’s words matched the sentiment in Vera’s heart.

“I feel that way, too. But,” she felt the playfulness fill her eyes and smile, “you did get one thing wrong”

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