If I love you was a promise

CHAPTER 7: Housewarming

Everything was ready for the celebration. Dani and Bette were really proud of the result especially the way they decorated the patio around the pool with some ribbons and warms lights. What was supposed to be a small committee party turned out to be huge.

Dani didn't know how many they were exactly but they were at least seventy there, in her house, and she was sure that she wasn't close with all of them nor knew them all.

Suddenly Bette announced her friends had arrived. Alice was all excited about this party screaming: « Did you want to make your own Dinah Shore Weekend cause if it's the case well done Nuñez! This place is full of lesbians. », covering all the voices around them.

Dani laughed a little to the comment and then greeted the others.

Alice had come with Nat and Shane, followed by Quiara and then Micah who had managed to be free that night as he promised Dani he would.

« I'm glad you could make it. It means a lot. » Dani told Micah.

« It's okay, there was no way I would miss this. Plus I needed something to stop thinking about Jose. You know, the married one?» he said as laughing bitterly.

« We will have fun, come on. Let me introduce you to my new little group. Meet Bette's friends, Bette's friends here's Micah. » Dani said both to Micah and the group.

« It's nice to meet you everyone! » Micah said and then started talking to Shane.

Dani was quite busy making round trips to the kitchen to refill all the plates with Bette helping here and there. As coming back from the kitchen with an appetizer tray, she found herself in front of Helena who had just gotten there.

Surprised as she was and impressed by the brunette's black dress. Dani only managed to stutter:

« What..you....here? »

« Sorry what? » Helena replied as smirking. 1 for the dress — 0 for Dani, she thought.

« What are you doing here? » Dani asked.

« I'm glad to see you too Dani » the Londonian replied as gently smiling at her.

« I'm sorry what an arse. I didn't mean that. Glad to see you too. » Dani said as showing her where the group was before disappearing in the kitchen again.

« Well this woman definitely knows how to disappear » Helena thought as reaching the group and greeting everyone.

At the same time Dani was anxiously preparing other appetizers wondering how she could make the situation less awkward with Helena. She was feeling stupid about the way she had left her that night and here she was again. It got her to literally freak out. All of a sudden, Bette got in with an empty tray.

« You're okay here? » Bette asked.

« I am... » she paused a little before rectifying her answer «... I mean I don't know what I am doing. »

« About what exactly? Cause if it's about the party, everyone is happy about it.. » Bette replied.

« No it's about Helena. When I thought things couldn't get more awkward, surprise: they did. » Dani said as talking more and more quickly because of how stressed out she was.

« Hey hey calm down. Helena is a big girl, I think she could understand the situation. I mean it's not easy for you these days, starting everything all over again. Explain it to her and I'm sure she will get it. » Bette declared.

« I guess you're right. I really appreciate her and wouldn't want to send her mixed signals here. » Dani said.

« There's no way you're sending her mixed signals according to the way you look at her. You like her but just got out of something really complicated. Just take your time. »

« True... » Dani sighed before taking a deep breath.

Suddenly someone entered the kitchen, it was Helena.

« I'll leave you two to talk » Bette said before going. An awkward silence installed itself. Dani didn't know where to begin. But finally Helena decided to speak first.

« So you left pretty quickly the other night. »

« Yeah I know, I'm sorry about that. » Dani said as preparing other spring-rolls.

« Anyway, if you're not interested I understand. I mean, you must have other problems to deal with in the first place. » the brunette said.

« It is not that I don't like you or anything. It's just that I don't know where I am in my life right now. I mean I thought I had everything under control, I was about to get married, had the best friend in the world and everything just fell apart... » she paused. « I really like you, I do, but I don't think anyone deserves someone as undecided as I am these days. » Dani continued.

« It's okay, I get it. So only friends for now and we see where it drives us? » the brunette asked.

« You just got yourself a deal. » Dani replied, smiling with tears coming to her eyes.

It became complicated to control them and started crying, feeling desperate about how she was. Helena took her into her arms.

« Shhh, calm down. Let it go. »

After a while, she finally managed to stop crying, thanking Helena for what she just did.

« Now let's go have fun, shall we? » the brunette asked smirking, softly taking Dani's hand.