Page 44 of Last First Kiss
“We were not making out,” I say, my cheeks warm at the thought. “Wealmostkissed.”
“I knew it! I knew this whole faking it thing would turn real.”
“Oh my God, it’s not turning real! It was a moment. Nothing more,” I lie.
“Mhmm,” Valeria says, side-eyeing me. “I’m sure you’ve both found a way to convince yourselves into thinking that.”
But before I can reply, before I can ask what she means by that, Diana’s voice slices through the house. “Time to practice,” she shouts, and we all head toward the living room where she’s already moved the furniture to make space.
Everyone pairs off with their partner, and I take a few pictures of the dancers waltzing.
Like yesterday, I’m a little too focused on Clara and Olivia, watching them through the lens of my camera,taking note of every time Olivia laughs at something Clara says. I know she’s funny, but damn.
Clara’s hand is on the small of her back, while Olivia’s got her hands laced together around Clara’s neck, and my heart feels like it’s stuck in a fist.
“You okay?” Valeria says, standing next to me, wrapping an arm around my waist.
“Oh, yeah,” I lie. I guess I’m not being as subtle as I was yesterday.
I spend the next half an hour taking pictures, talking sparingly with Lala, so by the time I think I’ve got enough pictures, I sit on the couch pushed to the end of the living room and watch everyone continue learning the choreography.
“I don’t like that girl with our Clara one bit,” Lala says as she sits on the couch next to me.
I laugh. Olivia is still hanging around Clara, as if she can’t keep herself upright without her.
“It’s okay,” I finally say. “I’m not the jealous type.”
It’s true, I’ve never been the jealous type in my past relationships, but I hate the way this woman is swinging around Clara. It doesn’t sit right with me.
Lala grabs my hand and pats it. “That’s probably for the best,” she says.
“What are my two favorite girls talking about?” Clara says as she approaches us with Olivia right on her heels.
“Nothing, honey. Who’s your friend?” Lala smiles sweetly, and Olivia steps even closer to Clara.
I do my best not to roll my eyes, but I’m not sure I did a good job because Olivia smirks. One of those mean-girl smirks, as if my reaction is entertaining to her.
“Lala, this is Olivia. She’s one of Alex’s cousins and oneof her bridesmaids. Olivia, this is Lala, Diana’s grandma, and Alejandra?—”
“Clara’s girlfriend,” Lala interrupts as she pats my hand again. Her protectiveness over my fake relationship with Clara warms my heart.
Clara laughs. Not a nervous laugh, but one of her endearing laughs, like she knew this was coming.
“Yes, my girlfriend.” Clara beams down at me.
The second the word “girlfriend” leaves her lips, my stomach fills with butterflies. It shouldn’t because it’s not true, but it makes my heart flutter and my body warm all over.
“She’s also Diana’s sister,” Lala interjects again.
Olivia nods and slowly steps away from Clara, a move that frankly makes me feel a little victorious. Over what? I don’t know, but it does, and I love it.
“It’s very nice to meet you both,” Olivia says in the thickest Southern accent I think I’ve ever heard, with a smile that never falters.
“Nice to meet you, too,” Lala and I say.
“Are you guys done practicing?” I ask, reaching for Clara’s hand.
We’ve always had a physical relationship, so it’s not weird that I reach for her, but right now, it feels oddly possessive. Her fingers wrap around mine, and when she gives me a small smile, the tension in my shoulders eases a little. She rubs her thumb across my fingers, slow and grounding, and I hold on to that touch like it’s the only thing keeping me steady.
