Page 150 of Silk Sheets

With wide, unbelieving eyes, Daisy and I both cast each other a glance before watching him melt into her arms, their kiss consuming one another.

Asher and Solace’sfriends-with-benefitssoon turned into an exclusive relationship and I couldn’t be happier for her. She deserved it. They deserved each other.

“Meow,” Celeste purred, approaching us with her dark eyes glued to Asher and Solace. Daisy and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “What do you say, Daffodil?” she stretched a devious, yet entirely serious, grin across her lips. “Me and you next,” she sealed her words with a wink.

My mouth gaped open but before I could utter a single word, my mom and Solace’s aunt made the most noise as they hurried towards us, showering us with congratulatory kisses and compliments.

My mom and I got so lost in conversation that we hadn’t realized the group had split up. She was so proud of me that even in tears she was yelling at me to get the pose right every time she snapped a picture of me.

“Okay, that’s enough,” I chuckled, walking towards her to lower the camera.

“I’m sorry,” she smiled through tears and I gently wiped them away. “I can’t believe you’re all grown up. My baby is a graduate,” she chuckled, sniffing a little and I was feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

Nobody was prouder of me than she was. She suffered through life and was adamant about giving me the best life possible and she did. She gave me the life she couldn’t have.

“Your turn,” I pulled my cap off, slipping it on her head.

Her tears dried in confusion, and I shrugged off my gown before throwing it around her shoulders.

“No, Dakota—”

“You deserve it as much as I do,” I reassured her, taking the camera and she sadly smiled.

She stood in front of the backdrop, showing her beautifully contagious smile, and I couldn’t help the tears brimming in my eyes. She ensured all my dreams would come true, and now I would gladly do the same. I had forever to repay her.

A hand rested on my lower back and I looked up to see Kaden beside me. “Congratulations,” he smiled, and my heart skipped a beat.

“Thank you,” I straightened my shoulders, keeping composure.

“Go,” he nodded towards my mother and I handed him the camera. He captured a few pictures of the two of us until my mother slipped her arm around his, talking his ear off.

With my excitement still bubbling inside of me, I glanced around and found Solace conversing with Chase, Logan and Daisy.

When Solace’s eyes found me, she curled her finger, singling me closer.

I looked back to see my mom and Kaden still talking, so I hurried over and hooked my arm with Solace’s.

“Ah, my favorite latecomer,” Logan mused.

“I still graduated, didn’t I?” I playfully shot back.

“Congratulations, Dakota,” he shook my hand and I fought back a grin. Our hands lingered until Daisy giggled beside me.

I dropped Logan’s hand and Chase shook my hand too. “Congratulations, Miss King.”

“Thank you, Professor Madden,” I batted my eyelashes up at him.

“You guys coming to the graduation party or…” Solace trailed off, taking me aback.

“Oh yeah!” Daisy nearly jumped in excitement. “Technicallyyou’re no longer our Professors,” she winked at them. Daisy wasadorable, and sometimes I wondered how she still ended up at the kind of parties we went to.

“We appreciate the offer, but we’d have to decline,” Logan gave his head a slight shake.

“There you are!” Daisy’s mom smiled before apologizing and dragging her away to the rest of her family.

“Oh, come on,” Solace deadpanned. She glanced around then leaned in to whisper, “You both know you wannalurkin the shadows and watch Dakota’s every move.”

“Solace!” I playfully nudged her.