I groan in annoyance as I wake with a backache. It was Christmas eve and I knew for a fact that my mother would be spending all day cooking and getting ready for tomorrow. Which meant one of two things for me. Either I could sneak out and enjoy the day by myself or I could be called into the kitchen to help. I shake my head, I definitely didn't want to stay here.

I'm quick to hop into the shower. Once I'm out, I receive a message from Casey. I grin widely as I press the notification.

'Good morning beautiful. If you're not busy today, I was thinking you and I could go on a date?'

Seems like I would be saved today. I send a text and shut my phone off as I search my closet for an outfit. As I pull my panties up, I get a knock at my door. I sigh and walk over, meeting my brother on the other side. He covers his eyes, "Whoa, you could've at least been dressed before opening the door" he complains.

I roll my eyes, "Josh, I have a towel wrapped around my body. You're not going to see anything." He shrugs his shoulders but doesn't bother to remove his hand from over his eyes. "Well, I was just coming to tell you that we're going to the airport to get Sarah's brother. Did you want to join us?"

I frown, "Uh, yeah sure. But not to go to the airport. Do you think you can make a detour and drop me off somewhere?" I question, hopeful. The man thinks it over, "Yeah sure. Who are you meeting up with?"

I smile at the thought of getting to spend the day with Casey. "My friend" I reply, feeling guilty once again for calling her my friend. I knew she wasn't but no one else would know. I was proud to call Casey my girlfriend but I just wasn't ready to be chewed out by my family. Josh eventually leaves my room to let me finish getting dressed.

I grab my phone from the bed and text Casey. Her reply is faster than it was yesterday.

After I get dressed, I slip my phone into my coat pocket and head into the living room. I spot my mother in the kitchen, as expected. What wasn't expected was my father helping her get things together. When I was younger, my father tried staying out of the kitchen as much as possible. I guess some things do change.

"Kathy, c'mon we're leaving" Josh grabs my attention. I nod my head and follow him and his wife out the door. As I get into the car, I silently wonder if Sarah had told Josh or anyone about what she had seen last night. But I guess she hadn't since things were quiet for me so far.

I give Josh the address to Casey's cabin and we pull out of the driveway. The conversation is small and interesting. We talk about things from the past and what we expect the upcoming year to be like. We soon get to the cabin quicker than I expect. "Thanks, Josh seriously," I say as I exit the car. The brunette rolls his window down with a smile.

I begin walking to the front door when my name is being called. I glance at my brother and approach the car, leaning down to see what he wanted to say. He smiles, "Maybe you should bring your girlfriend over for Christmas tomorrow" he suggests causing me to blush.

So she did tell him. Damn. I open my mouth to defend myself but he stops me. "Before you try to lie and say you don't have one, I guess I should let you know that I'm bisexual. Sarah and I recently got into a polyamorous relationship, so I'm not here to judge you."

Hearing it come from my brother made my heart calm down. I glance into the car and smile towards Sarah. "Does mom know?" I question. The both of them frown, "No, not yet."

I nod my head, "How about this. I invite my girlfriend and you guys invite your boyfriend. If I'm outting myself so are you guys." Josh smiles and bumps his fist against mine. "That's a deal baby sis. Now, we have to go or we'll be late picking up Rai."

I freeze at the name. Rai? I don't get to question him as he rolls the window up and pulls out of the driveway. I watch the car drive down the road. Hopefully, my world wasn't so small and he wasn't talking about someone I knew. I jump as I feel arms wrap around my waist. The familiar and euphoric spark that ignites through my skin lets me know that it was none other than Casey.

I turn in her arms, coming face to face with her beauty. "My god Kathryn," she bites her lip. I eye her in confusion as I watch her eyes roam over my figure. "You are seriously so beautiful," she says with sincerity. I blush at her comment as she leans in to place her lips against mine.

"Get a room will you!"

The girl and I move away from each other to see Edwin walking into the cabin. I shake my head before glancing back at my girlfriend. "So what are we doing today?" I question with a smile. Casey doesn't speak as her eyes search my face. I frown as I feel slightly self-conscious under her gaze. I bite on my cheek and take a step back.

"Are you wearing makeup?" Casey finally questions. "No, why? Should I be?" I start to feel a little panic rise in the pit of my stomach the longer Casey stares at me. She gawks before shaking her head. "You're telling me all of this is just natural? It should be illegal to look this fucking beautiful Kat."

The compliment leaves me speechless as I stare at the girl in disbelief. She really nearly gave me a heart attack. "I hate you" I spit and turn away from her.

Casey laughs. Her lips connect with the side of my neck, "That's not what you said the other day" she teases. I bite back a smile as I feel her arms wrap around my body. The brunette laughs as she pulls away, "C'mon let's go, baby."

I roll my eyes but follow her to a car. She unlocks the door and we both get inside. "I still don't know where we're headed to" I spit as I glance over to the girl. She only smiles and nods her head, leaving my previous question unanswered.

We pull out the driveway and head to an unknown destination. Casey hands me her phone, "Play something."

I smile as I grab her phone. My head bobs as the music flows through the speakers. The girl beside me glances over in surprise, "You listen to Half alive, or is that something you picked from my recents?"

"I heard about them last year. They're very underrated honestly" I answer. The ride continues with music filling the car and Casey's hand resting on my leg. No longer than 30 minutes later we arrive at City Creek Mall. "A mall?" I question.

Casey nods her head, "A mall is a very good date idea. Just watch, at the end of the night you'll be wishing you'd have thought of this before." I shake my head as we exit the car. We walk hand and hand into the mall, the sweet aroma of cinnamon filling my senses. I smile as Casey pulls me into her.

- - - - -

I exit one of the stalls, feeling slightly exposed. My eyes land on Casey, her eyes already on me. Her smile widens as she stands from one of the chairs. She makes her way to me, her eyes fixated on my hips. Her hands land on my waist as she hovers over my figure. I frown, "Why do you look so tall?" I question glancing down.

I chuckle, spotting the girl in heels. A very rare occasion. "I didn't know you could wear heels" I laugh, glancing back up. Casey laughs, "I really can't. I tried playing it off but I'm clinging onto you because I'm scared I'll die."

I can't help but laugh at her comment. "How do women even? I congratulate you, seriously I do" she groans, realizing how much pain we go through. I help her back to the chair and smile. I had almost forgotten I'd been playing dress-up until I feel her hands on my thighs. Skin on skin contact.

I bite my lip as I remove her hand. "Don't do that, we're in public."

The girl smirks, "Don't do what?" she teases, her hand running up and down my leg. I roll my eyes, knowing if this continued, I wouldn't be able to hold back. "I'm going to go change."

Casey stops me before I can turn away. "Let's buy this, you look breathtaking." I blush and glance down at the dress. "Fine, but you have to buy the suit you tried on earlier" I compromise. A perfect brow arches as brown eyes scan my body, "Got yourself a deal baby."

Minutes later Casey and I are exiting the store in our new outfits. I bite my lip as I take in the sight beside me. Navy blue and black really make her eyes stand out. The woman beside me is absolutely gorgeous. Casey glances at me, "What's wrong?"

I laugh and shake my head as I grab her hand, enjoying our date.

"Kathryn" I hear. I frown as I realize that it was definitely not Casey's voice. I glance around in confusion as I search for the owner of the voice. "Kathryn, hey I was wondering if that was you."

My eyes land on Alexander. His green eyes land on mine and Casey's hand before he eyes me. "Hey" I smile warmly. Casey clears her throat, feeling out of place in the situation.

"Oh, this is..." I glance at Casey. Do I tell him? "This is Casey. Casey this is Alexander" I introduce skipping the part where I tell him she was, in fact, my girlfriend. Casey eyes me before placing her hand in front of him. He takes it and shakes firmly before letting go.

His eyes creep over my body and I cringe uncomfortably. "You look stunning, are you going somewhere?" I shake my head feeling Casey's grip on my hand tighten. She was annoyed, I knew it but she needed to just wait a minute.

Alexander smiles, "Well if you're free tonight, would you mind grabbing dinner with me?" I clear my throat, ready to reject his offer. "You should go" Casey voices her opinion. I frown and glance at the younger woman, "What?"

"I said you should go. Catch up," Casey's brown eyes melt on my own. I feel her hand let mine go as she places her hand firmly on my back. I swallow the lump in my throat, not sure if agreeing was such a great idea. Alexander clears his throat, "I'll make it worthwhile." His eyes glance over my figure.

I avert my eyes back to my girlfriend, trying to read past her suggestion. "It's fine" she smiles.

"I guess, I could go out with you tonight. I'll text you." The man smiles before walking away. I roll my eyes and glance at my girlfriend in confusion. "Are we good?"

She nods her head with a mischievous smirk. She continued walking, only furthering my confused state. Why had she agreed to let me go out with him? Was she already tired of me? "Let's go back to the cabin" is all that she says.

I go along with it. By the time we get there, it's a bit past 4 pm.

We get into her room where I feel more comfortable asking about the situation. "Why are you so fine with me going out to dinner with Alexander?" I question sitting on her bed. She shrugs her shoulders, not seeming bothered by the idea at all. I bite my cheek, "You're really fine with me going on a dinner date with someone who's clearly interested in me? Casey that doesn't make sense."

The girl nods her head. She kicks her shoes off by the door and removes her tie as she inches closer to me. My eyes follow the movement of her hands. "I know you can trust me, but why are you so fine with this idea?"

Casey doesn't say anything as she stops in front of me. Her hands caress my bare thighs before she presses her lips to my neck. She sucks on the exposed skin harshly before kissing the now tender spot. She smiles and places her lips near my ear. "Because I'm going to mark you all over so he doesn't get the wrong idea" she whispers before taking my ear lobe between her teeth.

I blush at the comment as I feel her hands glide along my legs.