Chapter 24

Cora

“ Y ou look radiant, baby.” Kimmy steps up behind me. I watch her in the mirror as she brushes my hair off my shoulder and kisses me softly. I let out a shaky breath and bite my lower lip.

“Thank you. You look stunning.” She’s dressed in a deep green gown, her dark hair down in loose waves and pinned to the side. My mouth literally waters at her beauty.

“This dress is perfect for you. I knew it the moment I thought about what I was going to dress you up in. I made a few changes though, so it was perfect for you.” It’s a navy sequin dress with a slit that goes up to my hip. It’s amazing. I feel like a princess in it. Like Kimmy, my hair is down in long loose curls, only mine isn’t pinned back on the side.

She runs her hands over my belly, making my pulse pick up speed as she slowly inches her hand down. I grab it and smile. “Kimmy.”

“Yes, my baby.” She grins at me in the mirror before her tongue flicks out, licking the shell of my ear. I close my eyes and suck in a breath.

“If you keep doing that, we’re going to miss the show.”

“I think I’d much rather stay here and play with you,” she purrs.

“Play later. Right now, we have to go show off to the world just how amazing my wife is.” Zack’s voice sounds from behind us.

Kimmy steps away and we both turn to face him. I watch as his lids lower, his lips parting slightly as he takes us in. “On second thought.” His voice comes out thick and husky. “I think I like Kimmy’s idea much better.”

“Smart man.” Kimmy chuckles.

“Nope.” I laugh, grabbing Kimmy’s hand and pulling her towards the door, my heels clicking against the floor. As we pass Zack, I grab his too. “Zack is right. Play later.”

“That’s a promise.” Kimmy tells me.

“Damn right, it is,” Zack adds. And I smile.

These two. I love them so much it hurts. We still haven’t said the words yet, but I can tell they feel it. When the time feels right, I’ll tell them. Maybe a part of me is still afraid that this is too good to be true and everything is going to come crashing down around me soon. Like if I say those three words, everything becomes real and I’ll lose the best things to ever happen to me. I just can’t risk it, not yet.

We take a limo again. Any time it’s the three of us, this seems to be our method of transportation. I’m not complaining, I love being able to sit next to both of them.

It’s like we’re all a little obsessed with each other and it’s perfect.

“Wow.” I whisper as Zack opens the door. The buzz of people chatting fills the air.

“Did I forget to mention this was a red carpet event?” Kimmy asks, sounding a little guilty.

“Ah, yeah, babe, you did.” I blink over at her, nerves like a rock in my belly.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think about it.”

“It’s fine.” Zack says. “We’ll take a few photos, then we’ll go in.” He gets out and I hear people starting to shout his name. He holds his hand out and Kimmy goes first. She smiles and waves, the main woman of the hour.

And then Zack sticks his head in, hand out. “Come on, Daredevil.” He smiles. “We got this.”

Taking a breath, I trust him and take his hand. He pulls me out of the limo, his hand lingering on mine. I pull it away as the cameras start flashing.

“This way,” Zack says, taking Kimmy’s hand as Kimmy takes mine, giving me a big encouraging smile.

“I’ll wait here,” I tell them when we get to the carpet. They stop and frown. “Why?” Zack asks.

I look around, my heart racing. “Because you’re husband and wife. I don’t belong in these photos.” I hate the words as soon as I say them, my insecurities coming out.

Kimmy steps up to me and leans in to speak in my ear. “Never say that again, Cora. You are meant to be here, right by our side. You're ours, Cora and we’re not going to just hide you away.”

When she pulls back, she gives me a look like she’s daring me to argue. I smile and shake my head, then let her lead me onto the red carpet. Zack stands to her left and I go to her right.

We pose and I do my best to smile. Paparazzi shout out questions, asking who we are to one another.

“Zack, who’s the pretty lady next to your wife,” one asks.

“One of our best friends. Someone who means the world to both of us.” He smiles over at me and damn it, my heart explodes.

Once we’re done on the carpet, we head inside. For around an hour, we talk to people. Well, more like Kimmy and Zack do. I just stand there and smile, enjoying watching them do their thing. But I know them, it’s not something they like. It’s fake enough to pass, but you can tell they would rather not be faking niceties. It’s how things go in their world. Maybe something I’ll have to get used to, right?

“Thank god that's over.” Kimmy sighs when we’re finally alone.

“Too much peopling for you, my wife?” Zack chuckles.

“Yes.” She downs a glass of wine. “The show is going to start soon. I have to head backstage.” She turns to Zack. “Wait with our girl. Don’t make me kick your ass.”

I bite my lips together to keep myself from laughing.

“Yes, ma’am. But, how about later you do something else to my ass, just for fun.”

Kimmy’s eyes widen. “Don’t tease me, Ward. I’ll put that strap on and fuck your ass.” She lowers her voice. “After I fuck our girl.”

Kimmy kisses both our cheeks and takes off. “Would she really?” I ask Zack, finding myself intrigued.

“Fuck us both?” he asks, his lip quirks and I nod. “Oh, yeah.”

“Oh,” I whisper, cheeks flushing.

“Someday, baby, someday,” he chuckles.

We take a seat along the runway. Not long after they announce Kimmy. She comes out and gives a little introduction about the collection, and then the models come out. Every piece is stunning. At the end, I get to my feet and clap and cheer along with everyone else. I’m so proud of her and what she’s become. She’s so damn sexy and talented. And mine.

The after party isn’t as packed as the show was, but there are still a lot of people I don’t know. After about an hour of mingling alongside Kimmy and Zack, I need a break. My anxiety hasn’t been this bad in a long time. I just don’t feel like I belong here. Like everything is fake. This isn’t me. But I’m trying, because I love the people I’m here for.

Excusing myself to go to the bathroom, I slip away from Kimmy and Zack. Once I’m done, I decide to stick to the background and watch my lovers from afar for a while.

“Hey.” A voice next to me startles me.

There's a man standing on my right. “Hi.” I give him a polite smile. His eyes look a little glassy, like he’s been drinking.

“You don’t remember me, do you?” He chuckles. He does look familiar, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. “Tyler, Kimmy’s brother.”

“Oh my god.” I gasp. “Shit, Tyler, I’m so sorry. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.”

“Ten years.” He nods. “Crazy how long it’s been.”

“It is.” I smile. “How have you been?” Funny as it is, I haven’t heard Kimmy talk much about her brother. She did say they still talked, but he moved away a long time ago.

“Took some time off after high school to do some traveling for a few years. Actually, just graduated from law school.

“Congratulations,” I tell him. “Are you married? Any kids?”

He snorts. “Nope. Single. No kids. Would love to have a family someday though.”

“That's good.” I nod. God, this is awkward. Tyler and I were never close and I have no idea how to talk to him right now.

“How have you been? I was surprised when Kimmy told me you were back.”

“I’m good. Living here now. Working at Zack’s club.”

“I heard.” He’s staring at me and I don’t like it. “It’s crazy about the two of them isn’t it?”

“What do you mean?”

“That they’re together.” He grins. “I like to take credit for that though.”

“How?” My brows furrow.

“Remember that night before you left? You saw Kimmy and Zack dancing together. I told Zack a few months before that he should go for it. I saw how much he liked Kimmy. And hey, he’s a good guy, so why not?”

“Oh.” I blink a few times. “I remember you saying something to me similar to that.”

“Wanna know a secret,” he chuckles.

“Sure.”

“I kind of pushed Zack onto Kimmy so I could get him away from you.” He grins.

My stomach drops. “What does that mean?”

He sighs. “You never did notice me, did you? How could you not see that I had a crush on you.” Hold up. He what? I had no idea. I never saw the signs. “But you were too blinded by your crush on Zack. Didn’t help that he liked you too. But he also liked my sister. So, I hyped him up to go for Kimmy. I mean, you were his stepsister after all, so it’s not like anything could have happened.”

“So, you knew Zack liked me but you pushed him towards the idea of dating Kimmy because you wanted a chance with me?”

“I know, a little crazy, right? I was a lovesick teenager. Didn’t work out well for me.” He sighs. “You left the day after. Kimmy and Zack stayed together, though. So they got their happy ending.”

I’m shocked, I don’t know what to say. Would Zack have told me how he felt if Tyler didn’t get into his head? What did he tell Zack?

“You seeing anyone?”

“Sorry, what?” I blink a few times, getting out of my thoughts.

“Are you single?” he asks. “I was thinking, now that you’re back, maybe we could have that chance we never got. I’ve been meaning to ask Kimmy to give me your number.”

“You wanna go on a date?” My brows furrow. What the hell is going on?

“Not fucking happening.” Zack’s voice makes me jump.

“Zack, hey, man.” Tyler grins, leaning in to give Zack a hug, but Zack pushes him back. “What the hell, man?”

Zack gets in his face. “You told me how fucked up it was to get with my stepsister, that it was wrong. Then you told me that you were all for me getting with Kimmy, that you wanted us to be happy together. All of that because you wanted a chance with Cora?”

“So what? You had both of them, man. You didn’t need two fucking girls. You knew I liked her and you didn’t give a shit.”

“I had no fucking clue you had a thing for Cora.”

“I said she was hot!”

“So fucking what!” Zack shouts. “The whole fucking school said that. Doesn’t mean it’s a declaration that you're into somebody.

“Whatever, man. What's the big deal now? You're married to Kimmy. Cora is single.” Tyler smirks. “Unless she’s not? You seem awfully protective of her. Kimmy told me she was going to be your surrogate, or is there something more here. Might want to think about what that would look like if it ever got out. Talk about a scandal.”

“So what if there is.” Kimmy says. “What is wrong with you, Tyler? This is my night and you’re here drunk? Starting shit with my husband and girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend.” Tyler’s eyes bug out. “What the fuck? So what, you're a dyke now?”

Kimmy gasps and tears form in my eyes. Why is he being so mean?

“Fuck you, Tyler.” Kimmy snarls.

“You know what. Never mind,” he sneers at Zack. “Have them both. I don’t want your sloppy seconds anyway.”

In a flash, Zack’s fist is in Tyler’s face. “Zack!” I shout as he pulls back with a hiss, shaking out his hand.

Blood bursts from Tyler’s nose as he clutches at his face. “You broke my fucking nose!” he roars.

“You fucking deserve it,” Kimmy seethes. She’s crying now and I’m in shock. All I wanted was a moment to myself. And now the whole night is ruined.

“Come on, Cora.” Zack grabs my hand and pulls me towards the back exit.

“I am so sorry about him,” Kimmy says, tears spilling down her face.

“It’s okay,” I whisper as we stop for the limo.

“No, it’s not,” she sighs. “I invited him because he told me he was doing better. Clearly, he’s not.”

“What do you mean doing better?”

“Tyler’s been struggling with addiction for a while now. We tried to get him some help, but all he wanted to do was party with his friends. Then he went off traveling and pissed a lot of money away. Pretty much his whole inheritance. My parents put a lock on it and said he couldn’t have another dime unless he got clean, went to school and made something of himself. He told them to get fucked and moved away. He just came back and it seemed like he was doing better.”

“He told me he just graduated from law school.”

Kimmy sighs, shaking her head. “He went for a few months and dropped out.”

“I’m sorry, Kimmy.” I pull her in for a hug.

“I didn't know any of that back then, I promise. I didn’t even know he liked you,” she tells me. “He’s my brother, my twin. I can’t believe he just called me that.”

“He’s a fucking asshole,” Zack growls, pulling us both into his arms. “We’ll deal with his bullshit later. Right now, I want to go home and take care of my girls.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

“I’d like that.” Kimmy sighs.

“I’m proud of you,” I tell her. “You were amazing tonight. All your designs are stunning.”

“Thanks, baby.” I’m glad I get a real smile out of her.

Tonight ended in a bizarre way. But I can’t stop thinking about what Tyler said as we get into the limo. What would the world think when it gets out that Zack Ward, millionaire businessman and Kimberly Ward, famous fashion designer opened their marriage up to a woman. A woman who used to be Zack’s stepsister.

“Cora?” Kimmy’s soft voice pulls me from my inner turmoil. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I smile. “I’m okay.”

But am I?

“Don’t let what he said get to you. We want you. You’re ours, okay?”

“Okay.”

For now, I’ll push my insecurities to the side and hope I’m just overthinking again.