Chapter 10

10

MCKENNA

A s soon as McKenna received Mazey’s reply, her heart raced. She couldn't believe it. Mazey had actually said yes to having dinner with her friends. It felt like a huge step forward, not just for them as a potential couple but for McKenna personally. She smiled at her phone, thinking about the evening ahead and how it could play out.

The decision to invite Mazey to meet her friends wasn’t random. She wanted Mazey to see her world, to meet the people who grounded her. Ember and Josephine had been her pillars of strength for years, and their daughter, Natalie, always brought warmth and laughter to their lives. McKenna thought maybe seeing a couple like Ember and Josephine could help Mazey feel more at ease.

McKenna knew Mazey must be having a whirlwind of emotions after what happened between them, and she could imagine the confusion Mazey might be facing about her feelings, especially with Mazey not being out publicly. That was a pressure McKenna couldn’t fully understand, but she hoped being around people who would treat her totally normally might offer Mazey some reassurance.

She wanted Mazey to have someone else to talk to, who could share insights from a different perspective. McKenna knew that their connection was undeniable, but she didn’t want Mazey to feel overwhelmed or pressured. She wanted Mazey to know that there was no rush, no expectation, and that McKenna was there, waiting for Mazey to figure things out in her own time.

But beyond that, McKenna hoped that this dinner would give Mazey a glimpse of something more, something real. She hoped that seeing Ember and Josephine and the life they had built together would help Mazey consider what their own future might look like. A future that wasn’t confined to secret moments or fleeting feelings. A future where they could build something together, something that wasn’t hidden away or uncertain.

McKenna could barely contain her excitement as she thought about how the night might unfold. Mazey, with her charm and beauty, meeting her closest friends and hopefully feeling safe in their presence. She hoped that by the end of the evening, Mazey would feel a little more sure, a little more open to the idea of exploring where this could go.

She didn’t want to rush Mazey, but she also couldn’t ignore how much she wanted this to be real. More than just a night of passion. More than just chemistry. She wanted something lasting. And maybe, just maybe, this dinner would be the start of that.

As she started getting ready for the evening, McKenna’s heart was full of anticipation and hope. She couldn’t wait to see Mazey again. She knew it would be a defining moment, one way or another. And she was ready for whatever came next.

Later that day, McKenna drove over to Ember’s house to lend a hand with the dinner setup and talk with Ember before the evening kicked off.

As she pulled up, she spotted Ember working in the garage, as usual.

“McKenna!” Ember waved, wiping her hands on a rag. “Nervous for tonight?”

McKenna chuckled, but there was a hint of tension in her voice as she responded, “Yeah, a bit.”

Ember smirked knowingly, leaning against her car. “Remember what I said. Just let it unfold.”

McKenna nodded, appreciating Ember's calm, no-pressure approach. It was easier said than done, though. Meeting friends was one thing, but the potential weight of what tonight could mean was another.

As McKenna helped Ember and Josephine set up for dinner, she heard her phone buzz. It was Mazey.

“Hey, would you be able to pick me up?”

McKenna’s heart skipped a beat. The thought of driving Mazey to dinner, like they were already something, sent a rush of excitement through her.

“Yeah. Just tell me where to pick you up, and I’ll be there,” she quickly typed back.

Mazey sent her the address, and McKenna turned to Ember and Josephine. “Hey, I’m going to go pick up Mazey, okay?”

Ember was engrossed in setting up the grill, too focused to respond, but Josephine smiled warmly. “Okay, drive safe.”

As McKenna drove to the filming location, her mind raced. It felt right, like she was slipping into a role that was meant for her: picking Mazey up from work and bringing her to dinner with her friends. She wanted to show her off. Deep down, though, she knew Mazey might need time. This was new for her, and McKenna didn't want to rush anything.

When she finally pulled up to the set, Mazey quickly slipped into the car, her scent filling the space between them. The intoxicating mix of perfume and the sight of her in the passenger seat made McKenna’s pulse quicken.

“Thank you so much for picking me up. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble,” Mazey said, giving her a soft smile.

“It’s no problem at all. You ready to go?”

Mazey nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

As they drove, the air between them was charged with that subtle tension of something new. Neither said much, but they didn’t need to. The silence wasn’t awkward; it was comfortable. Both of them could feel the quiet excitement of sharing something unspoken. Just a short while later, they arrived at Ember and Josephine’s house.

McKenna felt her nerves flare up again. Would Mazey be comfortable here? Would she see what McKenna saw in these people, in this life? Before she could spiral too far, the front door burst open, and Natalie came running out, her wild red curls just about contained in a hairband.

“McKenna!” the little girl shouted, her excitement infectious.

McKenna grinned, hopping out of the car. “Hey, kiddo!” She kneeled to give Natalie a big hug. As they embraced, Mazey stood back, watching with a small smile.

“Come see what I did in school today!” Natalie demanded, grabbing McKenna’s hand and dragging her inside before she could even introduce Mazey.

Josephine and Ember appeared at the door, stepping out to greet Mazey. “Hi, you must be Mazey. I’m Josephine, and this is Ember,” Josephine said warmly, extending a hand.

Ember smiled. “Welcome. It’s great to finally meet you. McKenna’s told us a little about you.” She gave Mazey a knowing look, though her tone remained light and friendly.

Mazey blushed slightly, glancing at McKenna, who was being whisked away by Natalie. “It’s nice to meet you both.” Meanwhile, McKenna found herself in the kitchen, trying to listen to Natalie about her school project while wondering how Mazey was feeling. Was she nervous? Was she okay meeting her friends? Maybe she was pushing this too far too fast, McKenna thought, but she quickly pushed the thought away as Natalie proudly displayed her drawing.

“I drew this today,” Natalie said, holding up a picture of a firefighter drawn in crayon.

“Wow, Natalie, that looks amazing!” McKenna exclaimed. “Who is it supposed to be?”

Before Natalie could answer, Mazey walked in, smiling. “Can’t you tell it’s you?” she teased.

Natalie beamed, proud of her work. “Yup! Do you like it?”

McKenna grinned, glancing between Mazey and Natalie. “I love it. Can I keep it?”

Natalie pretended to think for a moment before agreeing. “Hmm…okay!”

Just then, Josephine entered the room. “Natalie, go wash your hands and get ready for dinner, okay?”

“Okay!” Natalie scampered off, leaving McKenna and Mazey standing there.

Ember soon followed, wiping her hands on a towel. “You both want some wine or a beer or soda?” she offered. “Oh, and, Mazey, I hope you like steak because Ember’s been working hard at the grill today, and she’s very proud of her grilling skills,” Josephine said with a playful grin.

“Hey, I’m proud because I’m good!” Ember retorted, puffing out her chest dramatically.

Mazey laughed. “I’ll have a glass of wine, and steak sounds great.”

McKenna was relieved that her friends were so welcoming. It seemed as if Mazey had been nervous at first, but the banter between the two couples seemed to put her at ease. There was a warmth and familiarity here that she hadn’t realized she’d been craving.

A few minutes later, Natalie came back, hands freshly washed, and they all sat down to eat. McKenna kept stealing glances at Mazey, relieved to see her fitting in as the conversation flowed.“This steak is amazing, Ember!” Mazey complimented.

“Please don’t give her a bigger head than she already has,” Josephine teased, rolling her eyes playfully.

Ember grinned. “Hey, I take pride in my grilling skills.”

Mazey smiled. “So if you don’t mind me asking, how did you guys meet?”

“Well, you see—” Ember started, but Natalie interrupted with the frankness only a child could muster.

“Mommy E, you talk forever! Let Mommy J tell the story.”

“Uhm, rude,” Ember quipped, feigning hurt, but her smile betrayed her amusement.

They all laughed, the atmosphere growing more relaxed by the minute.

“Okay, my love,” Ember said with a wink toward Josephine. “Why don’t you tell it?”

“If you insist,” Josephine said, gently nudging Ember with her elbow. “Well, this might be the more censored version,” Josephine nodded to Natalie. “We met on a dating app, just you know for a one off.”

“And you guys just hit it off right there and then?” Mazey asked.

“Oh, we definitely hit it off!” Ember jumped in with a smirk.

“EMBER!” Josephine scolded.

Josephine chuckled softly. “The next time I saw Ember, she had been in a car wreck and she was a patient at the hospital. She was my good friend Becky’s daughter, you see. Only I had no idea she was the same woman I had met on the dating app.”

Mazey tilted her head. “Oh really? What did Becky say?”

Josephine laughed. “Well, initially we pretended we didn’t know each other. And then, well. We started dating in secret.” Josephine admitted. “ It was only a matter of time really before Becky caught us. But after she saw how happy Ember was and realized it wasn’t just some kind of phase, Becky came around. She got over the shock of the age gap.”

“Yeah. Luckily, Phoenix Ridge is a super accepting place. And, my mom. Well, she comes across all fierce, but really, once you get past the stubbornness, she is so open minded.” Ember chimed in with a laugh.

Mazey smiled, her eyes shifting briefly toward McKenna, who was watching her closely. “Yeah, I’ve noticed. It seems very gay friendly here. I thought California was progressive, but here? It’s like no one even bats an eye.”

Josephine nodded. “It is an amazing place. I have been so very happy since I have been here.” Josephine looked lovingly at Ember and Natalie.

“Well, you two are lucky you found each other,” Mazey said softly.

“Yeah, we are,” they both said in unison, their smiles reflecting the love they shared.

After dinner, it was time to put Natalie to bed.

“Mommy E, can you tell me a bedtime story?” Natalie asked, rubbing her eyes.

“Of course, kiddo,” Ember said, standing up. “Goodnight, everyone. It was nice to meet you, Mazey,” Natalie added, looking up at her with sleepy eyes.

“It was nice to meet you too, Natalie. Sweet dreams,” Mazey replied, her voice warm.

Now it was just the three of them in the kitchen. McKenna felt her nerves bubble up again, wondering what Mazey was thinking. She’d seen a different side of her tonight, more relaxed, more comfortable.

“So, Mazey,” Josephine started, “tell me more about what you’re doing here in Phoenix Ridge. I heard McKenna saved you from a cliff.”

Mazey laughed, shaking her head. “Yeah, that was...an interesting day. The safety gear didn’t really do its job.”

“You must’ve made quite the impression on McKenna,” Josephine teased. “I’ve never met anyone she’s dated before.”

McKenna’s face turned bright red. Why did she have to bring that up? she thought, glancing at Mazey, who was now smiling directly at her.

“Oh really? Wow, I feel so special,” Mazey said, her smile widening.

That smile. It made McKenna’s heart melt, and in that moment, she knew just how much Mazey meant to her. There was something special between them, and it wasn’t just a passing connection. It was real.

Ember returned after tucking Natalie in, and the conversation continued until they all started yawning.

“It looks like we’re getting old,” Josephine joked. “How is it only 9 p.m. and we’re nearly falling asleep at the table? We used to just be getting started at this time!”

They all laughed, and soon after, Mazey and McKenna said their goodbyes, heading to the truck.

As they sat in the truck, Mazey grabbed McKenna’s hand, her eyes soft and full of affection. “That was really nice,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “I don’t ever really get to hang out with normal people if that makes any sense.”

McKenna felt a surge of warmth. She reached out, cupping Mazey’s face gently before leaning in for a tender kiss.

“Were you really feeling tired?” McKenna asked softly. “I was wondering if you would like to come over to my place.”

Mazey’s eyes flickered with excitement as she nodded. “Yeah, I’d love to.”

With a smile, McKenna started the truck, holding Mazey’s hand as they drove back to her place. The night, it seemed, was just beginning.

As they entered McKenna’s house, Mazey looked around, her eyes widening. “Wow. This place looks nice.” McKenna raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “What? Were you thinking I lived in a trash heap?”

“No, no,” Mazey replied, laughing softly. “I guess I was just expecting it to be less...put together.”

“You were expecting me to have some kind of messy bachelor pad? Well, sorry, honey, I’m not a man,” McKenna teased, her grin widening.

Mazey laughed, shaking her head. “That’s not what I meant at all, geez.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, Ms. MovieStar. You can say whatever you want.”

“Hey, I’m not Ms. Movie Star. My name is Mazey,” she said, stepping closer and getting in McKenna’s face, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

The proximity between them was electric, too much to resist. McKenna didn’t waste a second, closing the distance between them as their lips crashed together in a heated kiss. The world seemed to blur, leaving only the intensity of the moment. Their hands were everywhere, fumbling with clothes, removing them piece by piece as McKenna led Mazey toward the couch.

By the time they reached the couch, they were both completely naked, their breathing heavy with anticipation. Mazey pushed McKenna gently onto the cushions, her eyes dark with desire. McKenna looked up at her, longing written all over her face. She wanted Mazey’s touch, craved it in a way she hadn’t felt in so long.

Mazey climbed on top of her, their bodies fitting together as though they were meant for each other. Their lips met again, the kiss deeper this time, more urgent. Their hands tangled in each other’s hair, pulling softly, their bodies aching for more. Mazey broke the kiss, leaving kisses trailing down her cheek, her jaw, her neck. The sensation sent shivers down McKenna’s spine.

Mazey worked her way down to McKenna’s breasts, licking and biting at her sensitive skin. It had been so long since someone had touched her like this or made her feel like this. A moan escaped McKenna’s lips, and Mazey smiled against her skin, clearly pleased with the reaction. She continued her descent, her hands tracing down McKenna’s body, making every inch of her burn with desire.

When Mazey’s fingers found McKenna’s inner thighs, she hesitated for a brief second, her touch so gentle, yet filled with promise. McKenna’s breath hitched, her entire body trembling with need. Mazey leaned in closer, her lips brushing against McKenna’s ear as she whispered, “Tell me what you want.”

McKenna could barely think, her voice coming out in a breathless whisper. “You. I want you.”

Mazey’s smile grew wider as her fingers explored McKenna’s skin. The heat between them intensified, building as Mazey’s touch grew bolder, more confident. McKenna arched into her, her body responding eagerly, every nerve on fire.

McKenna's breath hitched as she whispered, “I want you to fuck me with your fingers.”

Mazey responded without hesitation, her fingers pushing inside of McKenna and beginning a steady rhythm.

“Like this?” she asked, her face earnest.

“Curl your fingers upwards and then thrust in and out,” McKenna guided her.

Mazey changed what she was doing and McKenna felt the impact of her fingers as the pads of them pressed against her G spot.

“Oh, fuck, yes.” McKenna gasped. “Do that. Exactly that. Keep doing that -in and out -and gradually get faster.”

McKenna tipped her head back and closed her eyes as Mazey began to follow her instructions exactly.

The pleasure was intense, and McKenna couldn't help but be surprised at how good Mazey was. She hadn’t expected it to feel so perfect, but with every movement, Mazey seemed to know exactly what McKenna needed.

“Put your thumb against my clit,” McKenna growled and Mazey responded sending waves of pleasure through McKenna’s body.

McKenna moved her own right hand down Mazey's smooth body, her fingers sliding into her wetness and she smiled as Mazey moaned deeply. The sensation clearly sent a jolt through Mazey, and her moans quickly turned into gasps of pleasure every time McKenna’s fingers thrust into her. Their bodies were moving in sync now, both giving and receiving in a passionate dance. The air was thick with their ragged breathing, the room filled with the sound of their moans.

Mazey’s fingers quickened inside her, and McKenna’s body tensed, her muscles tightening with the heat building inside. Every nerve was on fire, and the way Mazey’s body was reacting to her fucking on top of her, only heightened her own desire. Mazey’s moans became louder, more desperate, and McKenna felt herself getting closer and closer to the edge.

“I’m going to come,” Mazey whispered, her voice trembling with anticipation.

McKenna’s movements grew more frenzied, her thumb applying just the right pressure as her fingers worked inside Mazey. The pleasure was overwhelming, their bodies now completely lost in the moment. With one final thrust, McKenna’s body twisted in ecstasy, her back arching as she let out a long, drawn-out moan. The pleasure consumed her, wave after wave crashing over her until she could hardly breathe.

Mazey followed quickly after, her body tensing and tightening around McKenna’s fingers. She let out a soft cry, her body trembling before she went completely limp, collapsing onto McKenna before rolling off to the side.

They lay there for a long moment, facing each other, the afterglow of their shared pleasure lingering between them. They didn’t need to say anything. The connection they had felt was undeniable, and the intimacy of the moment spoke louder than any words could. McKenna gently traced her finger along Mazey’s cheek, her lips pressing soft, tender kisses against hers. Mazey responded with a sleepy smile, their fingers lightly playing with each other’s hair.

It wasn’t long before Mazey’s breathing slowed, her eyes fluttering shut as she drifted off to sleep. McKenna stayed awake for a little while longer, watching Mazey in the soft light, feeling an overwhelming sense of contentment. She couldn’t believe how perfect the night had been. Everything had felt so right, so natural. And now, looking at Mazey lying beside her, McKenna knew she didn’t want this to be just one night.

She wanted more. She wanted this to continue, and as she drifted off to sleep, she hoped Mazey felt the same way.