"She can cook and be a good host, double score," I sarcastically made an enthusiastic statement and ate diligently and my dad groans in irritation.
"What? I'm listening now," I scoffed a laugh.
He gives me one of those signature glares and I brush...
I'm not sure why I was struggling to pick out something, it's just dinner with Stefani. But the urge to impress her is really taking a toll..
I tidied my black dress slacks and sleeveless turtleneck. My brown leather trench coat was in my hand, although it's freezing outside.. I didn't anticipate to stand out here this long but then again I didn't knock..
I was pacing back and forth trying to think of a nice greeting until the door swung open.
"How the hell am I suppose to know you're out here and you didn't even knock? It's freezing," Stefani's glare was icier than the weather.
"S-sorry! I was going to but-
"Here," she brushed me off as she places a black gift box with a silk bow tied around it.
"Open it later, literally. Get in here," she reached for my hand and pulled me inside.
"How was decorating?" Her tone completely did a 180. Just a second ago she was ready to raise hell on me.
"I took your take on the blue and white themes, kent seemed to like it as well and plans to use it for the company Christmas party," I set my things down on-
I didn't even realize the kitchen had been remodeled until now..
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"You were saying?" Stefani leaned over the countertops giving me her full attention.
"I- I really love this kitchen," I couldn't help but get flustered.
"Do you now?" I was too nervous to look at Stefani but I'm guilty to already assume she's smirking at me right now.
"In due time, I hope to see you cook in here. But realistically speaking, that white wall has to go," she pulls my attention but my eyes are glued to the living room.
"I know you didn't do all the work by yourself but I was just here yesterday!" I shook her off of me to take in the detail of her work.
"It's called throwing money to get them to work faster, now Lillian, you can look at my living room all you want, but the sun is setting rather quickly... this is the best hour for the ivory to have a soft glow and set the mood," she mumbled off to herself.
"Alright alright, I'm coming I just-
There were stone pavers laid out amongst the green grass that lead to a little stone deck of off white chairs and a fire pit as the centerpiece. Freshly planted flowers that bloomed were offset to the right and the blooms brought out the white as the soft orange and yellow sunset from the sun was making the overall view peaceful...
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"I just need to lay out the blanket and get the basket, give me a second," Stefani rushes to her fridge to retrieve a small picnic basket and grabs a dark emerald green picnic blanket.
"Shall we?" She holds out her free hand and I carefully put mine in hers. There's definitely something deep between us because I feel all sorts of things just by holding her hand.
I was taking in every inch of Stefani's home, I was so into it, I didn't even realize she had moved the chairs and laid out everything..
"I should've helped," I blushed.
She paid no mind and patted a spot next to her for me to sit by the fire with her.
"I lost track of time, I didn't get a chance to cook so I went with the next best thing," Stefani pulls out-
"Oh you've got to be kidding me," I had a childish grin across my face.
"And I thought I was a picky eater," Stefani scoffed and I shook my head.
"I mean- it's the thought that counts, I'm sure you make a good pizza," I was impressed.
"I didn't make this, I just said I lost track of time," she looked at me crazily.
"I- I keep saying the wrong things.. so far today, all ive said were the wrong things I softly smiled embarrassed by my current flaw.
"This is why I prefer actions over words," Stefani's voice was soothing, it was like a kiss on the head.
"What actions have I done that are in your preference?" I giggled softly as I found myself making deep eye contact with stefani..
It was just like that, the air became thick and everything was intense. The air was hardly breatheable with the intense gaze Stefani shared. Even though I'm sitting, my knees feel weak.
"My preference is having you around. You making it possible is the action I will always prefer from you," her tone was almost hypnotic.
"Lillian?" I fluttered my eyes back into reality and I found Stefani's gaze shifted to the pink sky of orange clouds and her skin glowed radiantly under the sunset.
"Y-yes?" I was almost too nervous.
"What's the difference between a secret and a lie?" Her thoughts made every hair on my body stand up so much, it itched.
"W-why are you asking me this?" I nervously chuckled and her fiery gaze found me again.
"I appear to have both eating away at me. I currently don't want to ruin what we've already started," she was practically bitter..
"I'm sure they're nothing that big of a deal," I reached for her arm hesitantly but the warmth her body radiated comforted me in such a way, I couldn't pull away- my hand rested where it came into contact.
"They are Lillian. And I don't think the things I've had in mind for a while now can wait, my question is, where do we actually stand? I want to do what's best for you and not be selfish," I could see Stefani is practically raking herself over the coals as she reaches for my hand and she holds it tenderly in her lap as her thumb runs circles on top of my palm.
"Stefani..." I took my other hand cupped her chin.
She doesn't fight it- not as much as she used to..
"I cant bring myself away from you, not then and certainly not now. We have a lot of rough patches and there's a good handful of gaps but I can't deny that I am emotionally drawn to you. It's really messy- but I can't help but give into this aching feeling that despite how fucked up of a situation we're in, we just might be able to be together," I held onto every word knowing Stefani's passion practically burned through her eyes as she listened to every syllable that came out my mouth.
"I actually have something to be thankful for this year and it's apart from my mom and Rachel," she shook her head with a small chuckle.
"Tell me what's bothering you," I was still focused on whatever it was that's been eating her up.
"I'll start from the beginning..." she growled lowly in almost disgust.
AN: it's currently 3am as I crammed these two updates- I'm aware I left it with a cliff hanger but I'm so tired, it's not even funny.
I hope you guys enjoyed these two updates for this book, I really miss you🥺
