Page 34 of Vicious Little Snakes
I frown.
“Yeah. I noticed. It was hard not to. What the fuck did Liam say now? Did he forget to say you were pretty? Or are we mad that he said you were pretty?”
Now I scowl, but Kai smiles.
“I’m kidding, baby. Tell me what happened.”
“It doesn’t matter. We’re here, and I’m happy—so why let Liam ruin another moment.” I place a palm to his face. “You have my full attention.”
He turns his head, kissing my hand.
“This is us, Caroline. You get to be a mess with me.”
I stare into Kai’s eyes. I love him. He’s everything I wish I could want—my life would be so much easier if I could just bein lovewith him. But instead, we’re best friend-soulmates that occasionally fuck—each other and a curated approved list. It’s actually the healthiest and least complicated relationship I’ve ever had. No jealousy, zero judgment, and a handsome plus one.
There’s just the whole—I’m hooked on Liam Brooks problem.
“There’s no mess here. I promise. Now,” I say, sitting up straighter, looking appropriately excited, “come clean. Who’s performing?”
Kai begins to answer, but I cut him off.
“It better not be that guy that looks like a dirty baby. You love him.”
Kai throws his head back and laughs before saying, “I promise it’s not Post Malone. You’ll have to trust me. This little outing is well worth your time.”
My hands fall into my lap, and I grin up at him. Today was seemingly going to shit, and he’s saved the day. He’s the best boyfriend-not boyfriend ever.
I shrug. “Well, I suppose a secret concert in the middle of the day, plus a stolen stash of nurse’s notes, makes you a legend. So I’ll trust you just this once.”
Kai’s ignoring me, showing off his profile before he turns back, gleaming.
“What?”
He kisses my cheek and points toward the stage. “Happy early birthday, Care.”
I follow to where he’s pointing, but nobody’s taken the makeshift stage. I search the space, confused.
“Am I missing something?”
He groans, taking my chin and guiding my face to a couple sitting toward the front. I grip his wrist, bringing my eyes to his, almost bouncing in my seat.
“No. Is that?”
“Yes.”
“Kai. Oh my God, if you aren’t careful, I might fall in love with you, for real.”
His fingers release me, then take my hand, kissing the top.
“Don’t be ridiculous. We could never stoop so low as to fall in love—homies over matrimonies.”
I smirk, shaking my head at the stupid saying. “You know that’s never going to be a thing, right? Please stop.”
He wags his brows, kissing the tip of my nose.
I push my hair over my shoulder. “Okay, give me a once-over because I need to make my way to the front and introduce myself to the second most powerful woman in New York society. The goddamn personal assistant to the Chair of the International Debutante Committee.”
Liam
