RED NOTES AND KISSES-Chapter 48: FRIDA -

As they all stepped into the sprawling mansion, Laurel’s voice echoed through the grand halls, brimming with excitement.

She sounded like a giddy teenager as she exclaimed, "OMG, I’m so excited! Alright, kids, get ready! Your dads are coming, dress in your hottest outfits for a nice afternoon on the beach before Thanksgiving dinner!"

"Kay!" they all yelled in unison.

Frida felt a flutter of excitement ripple through her chest.

It had been years since she’d gone to the beach, years since she’d let herself enjoy something this social.

She hadn’t been this lively since the occasional wild parties Leah dragged her to.

She lingered in the shower, savoring the warmth, her thoughts drifting to Laz and the electrifying moments they shared.

Her body flushed as her mind replayed those moments, craving more. But then came the nagging question: what were they?

Non-talking situation buddies?

She scoffed, scrubbing shampoo into her hair. Relationships were so simple for others, yet near him, her entire body became a battlefield of chaos.

Her thoughts stalled as the sweet scent of strawberries filled the air, and she chuckled, remembering Laz’s love for them.

Wrapped in a towel, she stepped out of the bathroom and froze in horror.

Her suitcase was empty.

Not a single beach-worthy outfit in sight.

A wool sweater and jeans were her only options, and wearing those would be social suicide in the blazing sun.

She groaned, wishing she’d accepted Laurel’s offer to shop.

A soft knock broke her despair. Frida opened the door, peeking into the elegant, empty hallway.

Her eyes dropped to a pair of luxurious pink and white bags on the plush carpet. She picked them up, curiosity blooming.

The delicate designs of hearts and ribbons made her heart flutter, but it was the bouquet of pink lilies tucked inside that turned her cheeks a matching shade.

She gently touched the petals, her fingers trembling as she noticed a note:

"I hope you liked the horse. I know you didn’t expect a beach outing, so I hope you like these."

Her heart skipped. With eager hands, she opened the second bag, gasping softly.

Inside was a vision, a chiffon sweetheart neckline top with delicate straps, paired with a flowy skirt in shades of soft pink, peach, and light orange that shimmered subtly in the light.

She slipped into it, marveling at the perfect fit, the way the fabric embraced her figure like it was made for her.

The matching white sandals slid easily onto her feet, and she smiled at the playful shimmer of the lip gloss, its tiny inscription reading: "Wanna taste?"

Blushing furiously, she rolled her eyes and adorned her lips with the gloss.

Leaving her hair down, she pinned it back gently, tucking stray strands behind her ears.

The soft scent of strawberries followed her as she spritzed her perfume, completing the look.

Her reflection stared back at her, a radiant, ethereal fairy-like figure, glowing with elegance.

Clutching her purse, she stepped out into the hallway, feeling out of place in her girlish ensemble.

As she descended the staircase, the low hum of conversation in the foyer faded. Heads turned, eyes widened.

Danny’s whistle sliced through the silence. "God damn!"

"Holy shit," Leon muttered, his smirk widening.

Leo’s jaw dropped as he exclaimed, "Ni hao fyne shyt!"

Frida couldn’t help but laugh, her nerves easing. "Too much TikTok, babe," Danny chided, but Leo grinned unapologetically. "Sorry, my bad, but half the guys on the beach won’t be able to breathe."

Laurel and Evelyn paused mid-conversation.

"Whoa," Laurel grinned, eyes wide.

"Is that my daughter?" Evelyn blinked in disbelief.

Her father’s voice broke through, deep and warm. "That’s my daughter, alright." Frida beamed as he approached, pulling her into a hug.

"Dad," she said softly, smiling up at him.

"You look stunning, princess. Where’d you get this outfit?" he asked, but before she could answer, Laz stepped into the doorway.

His grey eyes locked onto hers, darkening with an intensity that left her breathless.

His gaze lingered, devouring every detail of her. When his tongue darted out to wet his lips, she felt her heart stutter.

"Okay, let’s get this show on the road," Laz’s dad’s voice boomed, breaking the spell as he bounded down the stairs.

"Ted?" her dad called.

"John," Laz’s dad replied.

"Let’s get out of here," they said simultaneously, grinning like boys. Laurel and Evelyn exchanged exaggerated eyerolls.

But for Frida, the world narrowed. Laz’s gaze was a flame, and she was the moth. Laurel’s sly nudge startled her.

"You’ll take Laz’s car, won’t you?"

It wasn’t a question. It was a challenge.

Her throat tightened as she nodded, the weight of what lay ahead pressing heavily on her chest.

Alone.

In the car.

With him.

The weather in Vegas was playing its own game.

One minute it was freezing cold, biting through your layers, and the next it was warm, with the sun gently caressing the clouds, painting the sky in soft hues.

It was perfect, almost too perfect, Frida thought as she followed Laz to his car.

When he opened the door for her, her heart did an unexpected flip, a full somersault, landing somewhere in her throat.

It felt like a date.

God. It’s not a date.

But as she slid into the passenger seat, her pulse quickened.

She could feel him beside her, his presence pulling her in like a gravitational force she couldn’t fight.

And despite the warm weather outside, she was sweating buckets.

Laz seemed to notice, his hand effortlessly adjusting the AC dial. The cool air barely helped.

Then, without warning, he leaned toward her, his arm brushing hers as he reached for her seatbelt.

Frida froze, her breath hitching as the world around her seemed to slow.

His face was close, too close. The scent of him, clean with a hint of something dark and intoxicating, wrapped around her senses.

His grey eyes locked onto hers, pinning her in place, their intensity stealing the air from her lungs.

"You’re biting your lip," he murmured, his voice low and smooth, a velvet caress against her fraying nerves.

She blinked, confused, until his thumb brushed against her bottom lip, pulling it free from between her teeth.

Her breath caught. She hadn’t even realized she was doing it.

"Don’t do that," he said, his voice a whisper that felt heavier than it should have.

His pupils were blown wide, and for a fleeting, maddening moment, she thought he was going to close the distance between them, to press his lips to hers.

But instead, he pulled back, sliding into his seat without another word, leaving her staring after him, her cheeks blazing. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

The engine roared to life, breaking the silence, but her heart didn’t slow.

Yep, this was going to be a very long ride.