"Okay." I sighed. "But I'm not mad at you, Dee."
"You're not?"
"No."
"Dace told you?" She sounded awed and I laughed, looking up at the most beautiful blue eyes in the world.
"He told me, Dee." I lifted my head, pressing my lips against his. "He told me everything."
"And you're okay with it?"
"We'll talk about that when you get here. I'll make coffee."
"Don't bother." Her keys sounded in the background. "I'm already here and I brought Starbucks and cinnamon rolls."
I gasped. "You were going to bribe me!"
"I thought I might have to." She admitted. "Get your ass out of bed and let me in."
"Be right down."
I hung up the phone and Dace shook his head stubbornly. "You're not ditching me before I've had my good morning kiss."
I stretched to press my lips quickly to his. "Good morning."
"Smartass." He accused, pinning me to the bed.
I giggled on a struggle. "She's waiting outside, Dace."
"I don't care."
"Dace," I fought him and he didn't relent at all. I sighed, falling back into the bed. "She brought Starbucks and cinnamon rolls."
He pondered the new information. "All right." He lifted himself from above me and I laughed.
"You're ridiculous."
"I'm starved." He eyed me with mischief. "You worked up my appetite with your twisted little demands."
"They were not twisted!"
"You're a little nympho." He teased as I pulled his shirt over my head. "Fuck, you're sexy as hell in my clothes."
"If you play your cards right I might just let you take them off." I winked before I darted to the door. I plucked a pair of yoga pants from my floor, shoving my legs into them and pulling them up onto my hips as I ran for the stairs. Dace caught up to me easily, wrapping his arms around my middle.
"What does playing my cards right entail?" He nibbled my neck and I squealed.
"Letting me have a moment with my best friend." I squirmed in his arms. "And be nice to her."
"I'm always nice to her." He released me and I opened the door.
Dee stepped inside as soon as the door was open. "Finally."
"You were the one who chose not to give me any notice."
She raised her brows. "I've always had a key to your place."
Dace smirked. "Not happening."
I laughed and Dee rolled her eyes. "Believe me, I don't want a key. I'd end up walking in on your naked ass." She cringed as though it would be the end of the world and Dace's eyes widened in mock offense.
"I have a nice ass." He looked at me. "Tell her, Ella."
"He has a nice ass." I stated bluntly and Dee laughed. "Come on, those cinnamon buns smell delicious."
Dee followed me into the kitchen after handing me the tray of Starbucks. "I didn't know if Daman liked Starbucks, but I got him one too."
"He does," I assured. "But I think he's still asleep."
"Give me a Cinnamon bun and I'll leave you two to the girly gossip I'm sure you'll end up yipping about." He reached into the box, plucked a bun and darted for the stairs. No doubt he was headed for the movie room.
I rolled my eyes and focused on Dee who was looking at me with a small smile. "I really am sorry."
"I know you are, Dee." I wiped a finger over the icing of my bun. "But I'm really not mad."
"You looked so hurt when you saw me." She shook her head.
"I was." I said. "But I'm not anymore. I really don't want to talk about it."
"You've forgiven him?" She nodded to the stairs and I sighed.
"How couldn't I?" I shrugged. "I'm in love with him."
"He's in love with you, ya know."
"I do know."
She laughed on a breathy sigh. "It's so good to see you happy."
"Thank you." I smiled. "When are you and Kyle heading out?"
"Right after our visit. He's already got my bags in his car." She rolled her eyes. "He's so excited to spend this Christmas with his family."
"Are you seeing your family at all?"
"The day after boxing day." She looked down at her bun. "They understand."
"You guys did spend last Christmas with your parents." I reminded gently. "I think you've gotta let yourself feel happy to be spending this one with Kyle's family."
"I am excited." She shrugged. "It's just going to be the first Christmas I don't spend with my parents." I was silent and her eyes widened as she realized what she'd said to me. "Oh shit, Ella," She reached for me. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking."