Just Between Us

Chapter 25

Lillian's POV

I'm getting started on cooking brunch now that Stefani's occupied with Rachel..

This morning on the other hand....

I was stunned with chills, Stefani knew from the very start of our interaction where the conversation was leading. I'm not sure how to feel; embarrassed?

I shouldn't be, I took it there the second I was staring at her.

I shouldn't be doing this, she's right.

My relationship is with Kent- I don't know what to feel. All those things Stefani said about falling in love and how she'd rather invest in her happiness and freedom than maintaining a successful business made me feel a certain way.

I don't even know what day of the week this is I'm losing focus by getting caught up in this and this is silly.

I reached over the counter to grab my phone to text Kent.

Me: what time do you come home tonight?

Future hubby: early tonight, around 8-ish. Things are running smooth today at the office, I'm feeling pretty lucky :)

Me: oh yeah??

Future hubby: oh yeah ;) shall I take you out for dinner tonight? I realized it's been awhile.

Me: are you asking me or are you telling me?

Future hubby: put on something nice :D

Me: 🥰

Some alone time with Kent just might be what I need, a date is exactly what I need.

I made my way over to Stefani's bedroom door-

"In state or out of state?" I recognized Rachel's voice.

"Goddamnit Rachel, I'm on the phone," Stefani muttered.

I fought a giggle, she sounds like her usual self despite the previous events. She didn't seem bothered at all with the way Kent blew up at her, but I certainly didn't enjoy it.

"It's a legitimate questionnnnn," Rachel whined.

"Why?!" Stefani shouted.

"Becauseeeee Bentley university is in Massachusetts," Rachel explained and I was caught off guard with how I felt something tug at my chest..

I know I'm excited that Stefani has found an interest in college, but with Stefani not being home.. it'll just be me by myself waiting god knows how many hours just for Kent to toss his brief case and roll over to sleep. He's hardly talkative after work and I sometimes wake up the same time as him just so I can kiss him off..

A part of me really doesn't want Stefani to leave.

"Ugh, I can't. I told my dad I won't get a dorm. Isn't there an online schooling option- Uh, yes this is she- Rachel, look to see if there's anything about online schooling for the love of God," I could hear the frustration from Stefani's tone.

I couldn't stop smiling.

"There is!" Rachel was taken aback.

"Yes, I can come by the earliest time you provide- Thursday? The day after tomorrow? Okay, I'll be there by 9am if that- okay, no I don't mind being placed on hold- RACHEL APPLY ME THEN FOR FUCK SAKE," Stefani's voice was out of breath.

It's weird.

She has an affect on me without her speaking to me directly.

"Hey girls, I'm leaving you two alone for the night while me and Stefani's father are out for dinner. If lunch isn't enough, you can order in. I'm gonna go get started on brunch and pick something nice, okay?" I knocked on the door.

There was quiet mumbling and eventually nothing through the door.

"Okay, be safe!" Rachel replied.

I didn't here anything from-

"Ow, okay- have fun I guess," Stefani grumbled and I giggled.

"Ow! I showed genuine concern, stop hitting me before I slap you to another ethnicity!" Stefani yelled.

I couldn't fight my laugh, "Stefani, please be nice," I started walking away.

I was practically waltzing my way back to the kitchen after the wonderful mood I've been put in. I was thinking I could put something fun together for the girls to snack on. I can run to the store and pick up all of Stefani's favorite junk foods, now that I know for a fact she's been eating healthy lately. She could let loose for once and-

They're not here?

None of Stefani's snacks are in the cabinet!

They're all replaced with-

"I stopped eating junk food," Stefani comes from behind me and I was startled.

"Stefani, you scared me," I caught my breath.

"Do you want me to cook brunch?" She ignored what I said and I'm still trying to pull myself together.

"No, I was going-

"I was only asking because I was gonna make muffins," she reached over me to grab a box of whatever brand she had in place of her hot chips I once saw stashed away.

"They're a good brand," she started unboxing the mix and gathered materials.

"Go back to your phone call, I'll make these for you and Rachel to have for brunch. Are these all you two want?" I finally manage to face her.

Her dark brown eyes never left me for a second and the moment they met my eyes, they're not the same brown eyes I first came across. They're a lot more- approachable.. and that's what's making her intimidate me.

"You don't know how I like my lattes, so I can make that myself while you do that," she shrugs and pulls out a carton of oat milk.

"How does Rachel like hers?" I tried to be more helpful.

"She's already eaten, I, on the other hand could use something to eat," she spun on the back of he heal and started up her coffee blend.

"How about i throw in a couple of chocolate chip cookies along with the muffins. I'm only offering because you seem to have bought a lot of chocolate chip muffin mixes... you do know these contain a lot of protein?" I read the back of the labeling.

"But they're sooooo good. And- I'm not a cookie fan unless they're oatmeal and raisin. Here-

Stefani goes back into the cabinet and pulls out a container of oats from the same brand and a pack of raisins.

"For some reason, oatmeal cookies that have been made from actual oatmeal taste so much better. I'm not sure if you've made a batch like that but they're worth it," she lays out the ingredients.

Her tone still had no emotion or enthusiasm to it, but I'm still pleased that she's conversational to-

"Normally, you're the talkative one.. I'll leave you to your thoughts... My dad likes red dresses as a side bar note," she finishes making her latte and walks off.

I'm still speechless at how her voice is so monotone and calm. There's no expression to them but at the same time her words ping at me.

"Hmmm," she lingers around the hall taking one last look at me.