Page 66 of Beaches, Bagels & Babes
“I know.” Candace tossed her free-hanging blonde locks over her shoulder, saying, “That I’m hot, and that it might not be the best idea. To be honest, I only just unbuttoned the blazer, so he hasn’t seen the tank top. I’m not that brave.”
Demi shook her head, her expression earnest.
“Don’t say that, Can-can. You’re one of the bravest people I know.”
“Yeah, right. Call me Xena, I’m a regular action star.”
Candace broke from Demi’s over-serious gaze to take a deep drought. The merlot was from young grapes, bitter and immature, and burned on the way down.
“You are,” Demi insisted. “Anyone else thrust into the privilege and pressures that you were would have turned into a miserable, insipid witch. Christ, do you remember the inspections? The responsibility talks? The ‘camp—”
“Of course I do!”Candace hissed.
She jerked her arm, and wine sloshed over the rim of her glass. Cursing, she set it down on a nearby table and tried to keep the drips from getting on her clothes. If Uncle Perry saw wine stains on her hands, he’d get angry at her for being ‘messy.’ Demi grabbed a handful of cocktail napkins from a waiter passing out crab rangoon and helped Candace contain the damage.
“I’m sorry,” Candace told her. “I appreciate you so much. You’re the only one who understands how weird my life is.”
“I know. So please, be kind to yourself. I just want you to be happy.”
Demi continued to hold Candace’s hand after she cleaned her up, clasping one in both of hers. She squeezed, her gaze filled with adorable worry. In her heels, she almost reached Candace’s chin.
It was sweet of her to come tonight. Candace had texted her about how Vinny Lamarka and his slimeball self came around Bagel Bombs!. She’d needed to freak out a bit, and Demi was the only one who would get it. But for her to spend her Saturday night coming out to keep Candace company was why she was her dearest friend.
Candace returned Demi’s grip. “What is it you say to your yogis? ‘Happiness is a practice?’ I’m working on it, promise.”
As if on cue, Candace’s phone buzzed with a social media notification. She slipped her hands away from Demi’s tocheck it. Norman, as it turned out, had filmed her and Daisy’s “kabedon” moment like a pro. The reaction from their followers had been nothing short of thirsty, with all the usual questions asking about their relationship status. Flushing, she shook her head and slipped her phone back into her pocket.
Demi, who saw the phone screen, did nothing to hide her disapproving frown.
“ThisBagelBabeshashtag of yours… Don’t you think it's going a little too far?”
Candace shrugged.
“It’s marketing. People like watching hot women do things. They like watching them do things together even more. Nothing we’ve posted is lewd. Well,toolewd, and the bagels take center stage.”
Demi crossed her arms beneath the flattering V-cut of her romper. She repeated, “‘Marketing?’ Is that what you call the video that went up today? What flavor was the bagel she fed you?”
“It was sesame. And Daisy is having fun with it.”
“She’s messing with you.”
The words were said gently, in the same tone Demi used when correcting a yoga posture. Still, they landed like a slap.
“What does it matter?” Candace replied as nonchalantly as she could manage. “Our followers are eating it up. What’s the harm?”
“Your heart, for one. We’re not kids anymore. You can’t put on an air and pretend it’s just some summer crush. We both know how hopelessly in lo—”
Candace made a strangled sound as she choked on her own spit. Demi’s gaze enveloped her with steady support.
“I don’t want you to get hurt. That’s all.”
“I can handle it, really. You worry too much.”
In truth, Candace would be lying if she said there was not some part of her that enjoyed the attention. She could do without the audience, online or in person. But, even if it was to tease, the woman’s newfound attitude was unbelievably hot.The way Daisy’s eyes blazed into Candace’s melted her. Every touch was a delicacy she savored with greed. Their chemistry was so palpable, she could practically taste the fingers Daisy licked each time she acted out their little game.
So, what did it matter if Candace got hurt? For at least a little while longer, she was happy pretending that it was real. Once Daisy moved on, she could figure out how to be happy without her.
From across the venue, Candace eyed Uncle Perry looking for her. She gave Demi an apologetic smile.
