Page 35 of Last First Kiss
I know she could have found someone else; there are hundreds of talented photographers in Washington. But I really wanted to give my sister some peace of mind and make sure there was at least one thing she didn’t have to overthink or worry about.
Diana must have felt me thinking about her because when I turn, her brown eyes are locked on me. Her long, dark hair trails behind her as she weaves through the crowd of people beelining it straight toward me. Her floor-length green dress moves like liquid around her. When she finally reaches me, she throws her arms around me and pulls me into a big, tight hug.
“Hey,” I say, hugging her back just as firmly.
I don’t get to see her nearly as much as I’d like—she and Alex are constantly traveling for work. Diana’s a flight attendant, and Alex is a pilot. They met on a flight they were working together, and the rest is history. One of those rare, perfect workplace romance stories that actually happened in real life.
“Hey,” she says gently on an exhale.
I sense someone come up behind me, and somehow I know it’s Clara—I don’t even have to look. She wraps herarms tightly around both of us without a word. Her cologne reaches me, and that’s all the confirmation I need.
When the three of us finally let go, Diana dives straight into questioning.
“So, Clara, huh?” she says, peering over at Clara, who’s now standing beside Lala.
“Yeah,” I say, a soft smile spreading across my face.
“I’m glad it finally happened.”
“Yeah, we’ve been getting that a lot lately.” I blush.
“I still can’t believe it. I thought this day would never come. How’d you get our forever bachelorette to finally settle down?” Diana jokes, lightly elbowing Clara’s side as she winks.
I smirk, despite the nervous energy in my body. I glance at Clara, who raises an eyebrow at me, waiting to hear what I’ll say.
“Oh, you know, irresistible charm, stunning good looks; Clara was practically begging for me to notice her,” I joke, and her mouth drops open.
“Was she, now?” Diana says playfully.
Clara shakes her head. “She wishes.”
She reaches for my free hand, and the moment her fingers wrap around mine, it feels ... right. I usually don’t think about how her hand feels in mine; it’s one of the many ways we touch without thinking. But now, my stomach swoops, and my heart gives the slightest flutter.
“Well, you two look great together,” Diana says. “Alex and I had a bet on when this would finally happen. You guys just made me fifty bucks richer.” She winks.
“Happy to help,” Clara says, pressing a kiss to my fingers still intertwined with hers.
Before I can scold her for betting on my love life,someone walks up to Diana and whispers something into her ear.
“Okay, perfect!” She says, turning toward the backyard. “Clara, follow me.”
Clara nods, and her hand slips out of mine. The second her warmth leaves me, an emptiness settles deep in my bones, and I ache for her touch again.
Clara turns to me. “Do you need help setting anything up before I go?”
I shake my head. “No, thank you.” Then, soft as a whisper, she presses a quick kiss to my cheek, but it lingers in a way that makes my skin buzz. I take in a shaky breath as she walks away, as if she didn’t just send my heart into overdrive.
My cheeks burn, and Lala smirks like she just witnessed the most entertaining thing in the world.
I exhale, rolling my shoulders like I can shake off the feeling. “Don’t start,” I laugh.
Lala chuckles. “Didn’t say a word,” she says innocently. “But ... if Ihad, I would have said that I love seeing you two sweet on each other.” Lala grabs my hand and pats it.
I try to ignore the lingering buzz on my cheek, but I can’t stop wondering if this is new or if her kisses have always felt like this. I press my fingers to the spot and savor it, committing it to memory.
“Do you want me to put your chair outside, Lala?” I ask, trying to distract myself.
“Oh, yeah, that would be wonderful,” she says as she stands.
