Page 138 of June

“Stop! That tickles!” She laughed until Enid slowed and stopped completely, straddling her hips and staring down at her with something like adoration in her eyes.

Caroline hadn’t ever had anyone look at her how Enid always did, and she hoped she always would.

“Want to maybe pop that champagne and eat some of those cookies I brought?”

“Yes. Then, we hot-tub,” Caroline replied. “My guess is your new apartment willnothave a hot tub for us.”

“It will barely have parking for your car when you stay over,” Enid said.

???

“So, how was it?” Jodie asked.

“How was what?”

“The hotel room. You two had a whole night alone in a fancy room. A suite, right?”

“It was great,” Caroline replied as they sat down at the table. “I can’t believe she did that for me, but it was perfect. There was a hot tub, champagne, and a view. I got–”

“Laid?” Jodie interrupted.

Caroline laughed and said, “I was going to say that I got to wake up to her, and I want that.”

“You’re not going to, like, move in with her right away, are you? We have an apartment lined up, Care.”

“What? No. We’re not that crazy. She’s getting her own place, too. I’m checking it out with her after lunch. It’s a one-bedroom, though, so we’ll probably spend a lot of time there. Is that okay? I know you wanted to get our place together, and it’s not like I’ll be at Enid’s every single night, but that’ll give you and Viv some space as well.”

“As long as we don’t lose our friendship. That’s my only rule,” Jodie replied.

Caroline nodded just as Viv arrived, carrying a tray of drinks.

“This is heavy. Can you take yours, babe?”

“Babe? You’re atbabealready?” Caroline teased.

“Shut up,” Jodie said while laughing.

She took two of the drinks off the red tray and placed them on the table, enabling Viv to sit down next to her with the rest of them. Caroline removed her own drink and Enid’s while Viv took Jill’s and Rory’s off and set them aside.

“So, did you have a good birthday?” Viv asked.

“I did, yes. Thank you for my surprise.”

“You being with Enid gave us time to be together, so it worked out,” Viv said and smiled over at Jodie. “Did you tell her?”

“Tell me what?” Caroline asked.

“We’re together. We’ve decided to stop pretending like we’re just dating and that there could be other people. We don’t want that, so we’re together,” Jodie explained. “This is my girlfriend, Viv. Viv, this is my best friend, Care.” She motioned with an open palm between them.

“That’s great, guys,” Caroline replied.

“It is, yeah,” Viv said with a soft smile as Jodie placed an arm over the back of her chair.

“Hey,” Enid said. “We got the food.”

“Great. I’m starving,” Caroline replied.

Enid and Jill both carried full trays, and Rory walked behind them, holding a couple of sandwiches wrapped up. They were probably for her and Logan for later or something. Enid sat down next to Caroline, and Jill sat on Caroline’s other side. Rory sat next to Viv.

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