Chapter 53

The katseye house was practically melting. Fans whirred uselessly, popsicles dripped before anyone could finish them, and the girls sprawled across couches and chairs like they’d given up on life.

“This is criminal,” Dani groaned, tugging her tank top away from her skin. “LA should be sued for this heat.”

Manon flopped dramatically onto the armchair, one arm flung across her forehead. “We’re in hell. This is punishment.”

Sophia wandered in with a half-melted popsicle. “If this is hell, at least the popsicles are good.”

Megan groaned from the floor. “I’m not moving. The tiles are the only cool thing left.”

Then Dani sat up suddenly, eyes bright. “Wait. Why are we all suffering inside when we have a pool in the backyard?”

Lara perked up, lifting her sunglasses. “Pool day?”

“Pool day,” Dani confirmed, grinning.

Yoonchae clapped her hands. “Yes! Pool day!”

*

You slipped into your bikini – a bold splash of colour against your sun-kissed skin, the fabric hugging every curve. The straps crossed delicately over your shoulders, the cut playful but daring. Dani leaned against the door-frame, her eyes trailing over you slowly, like she was memorising every detail.

“You’re so irresistible,” she murmured, stepping closer.

You smirked. “You’re just saying that because you want me to blush.”

“Maybe,” she teased, before cupping your face and kissing you.

The kiss deepened instantly, her lips hungry, her hands sliding down your sides. She toyed with the thin straps of your bikini, fingers brushing the knots, tugging just enough to make your breath hitch. Her palms roamed everywhere – over your waist, down to the curve of your hips – pulling you flush against her.

You gasped softly, clutching at her shoulders as she pressed you back against the dresser. Her mouth trailed down your jaw, teeth grazing lightly, before returning to your lips with heated urgency.

Her fingers hooked under the strap at your hip, tugging playfully, almost peeling it away. “We could skip the pool,” she whispered against your mouth, her tone low and teasing.

You laughed breathlessly, though your pulse raced. “And melt in here? Not a chance.”

Then, from down the hall, Megan’s voice rang out: “Hey! Lovebirds! Stop making out and get outside before we melt without you!”

You broke apart, laughing against Dani’s lips. She groaned dramatically. “They ruin everything.”

You kissed her once more, quick and cheeky. “Come on. Pool day.”

*

The water was bliss, instantly cooling your overheated skin. Chaos erupted – splashes, shrieks, laughter bouncing off the backyard walls. Marco Polo, chicken fights, cannonballs.

At one point, Dani swam up behind you, pressing you against the pool wall. Her arms caged you in, her grin wicked.

“You’re mine,” she whispered, before kissing you hard.

The cool water contrasted with the heat of her mouth, her body pressed against yours. You tangled your fingers in her wet hair, kissing back with equal hunger. Her lips teased yours, pulling back just enough to smirk before diving in again.

“Seriously!” Lara shouted from a floatie. “Get a room!”

Manon splashed water at you both. “We’re trying to play a game here!”

Sophia giggled, covering her eyes. “You two are hopeless.”

You broke apart, laughing breathlessly, resting your forehead against Dani’s. “We’re officially that couple.”

“And proud of it,” she whispered, kissing you once more before pulling you back into the chaos.

*

Later, you all sprawled across lounge chairs, sipping iced cocktails and munching popsicles. The sun blazed overhead, but the pool water still clung cool to your skin.

Dani leaned over, licking a drip of popsicle from your wrist. “You taste sweet,” she murmured.

You raised an eyebrow. “You’re trouble.”

“And you’re irresistible,” she countered, kissing your hand.

“Seriously,” Megan groaned, tossing a towel at you both. “You two are like a rom-com we didn’t sign up for.”

Sophia giggled. “But… fine. You’re cute. Annoyingly cute.”

Manon stretched out, sunglasses perched, “You’re insufferable, but at least you’re entertaining.”

Yoonchae smirked. “You’re like the soundtrack of Katseye – constant flirting.”

*

The heat pressed down again, and soon you were all back in the water. Dani swam up behind you, wrapping her arms around your waist.

“You look too good in that bikini,” she whispered against your ear.

You smirked. “Then why don’t you do something about it.”

“Oh just you wait,” she teased, kissing your neck.

“Room!” Yoonchae shouted again, splashing water at you both.

You laughed, turning to Dani. “Yep. We really are that couple.”

She just grinned, pressing her lips to yours once again.

*

The rest of the afternoon was a blur of laughter and teasing. You and Dani fed each other popsicles dramatically, earning groans from the girls. You lounged together on floaties, Dani tracing lazy circles on your thigh while you whispered nonsense back and forth.

“Honestly,” Manon said at one point, shaking her head. “You two are insufferable.”

“But you’d miss us if we weren’t here,” Dani shot back, smirking.

“Unfortunately true,” Lara admitted, sipping her cocktail.

Sophia giggled, raising her glass. “To the chaos couple. May you never stop making us roll our eyes.”

Everyone cheered, clinking glasses, laughter echoing across the backyard.

*

As the sun dipped lower, the heat finally softened. The backyard glowed golden, the pool shimmering. You and Dani lay side by side on lounge chairs, towels draped over you, popsicle sticks abandoned nearby.

Dani turned to you, brushing damp hair from your face.”Best pool day ever.”

You smiled. “Because of me?”

“Obviously,” she teased, kissing your cheek.

The girls groaned again, but their laughter was warm. They were used to it – used to you and Dani being the flirty duo, the couple who couldn’t help but make every moment romantic. And though they teased, they loved it. They loved you both.

Dani leaned closer, whispering in your ear. “Later when it’s just us… I’m not stopping at the pool wall.”

You laughed, kissing her softly. “Deal.”

The sunset painted the sky in pinks and oranges, the heatwave fading into memory, but the warmth between you and Dani lingering long after.

———-

Hey my favourite people 🙂

Here to drop a few new chapters

I’ve also gotten quite a few requests recently – TRUST ME THEY WILL BE WRITTEN!!!!!!! It might take a little while to get through them all, but if you’ve requested something, don’t worry I’ll get to it and tag you once it’s uploaded 🙂