Chapter 29

Celeste’s breaths came short and uneven, her steps dragging lines back and forth across the carpet. She muttered under her breath half words, half mantras her fingers knotted together so tightly her knuckles were white.

The girls hovered close, exchanging looks, not sure what to do next.

And then the door creaked open again. Rowan stepped back inside.

“Not right now,” Lila hissed, holding out a hand like she could block her.

Naomi’s tone was steadier, but firm. “She needs space, Rowan.”

Simone arched a brow. “Yeah, this isn’t the time.”

But Rowan didn’t stop. She ignored the warnings completely, her expression set with quiet determination. She walked straight toward Celeste, who hadn’t even noticed she’d re-entered.

Rowan reached out, gently closing her hand over Celeste’s. Celeste startled, her pacing faltering, but Rowan held firm, grounding her with that one touch.

“Celeste,” Rowan murmured, her voice low and steady.

Celeste finally stilled, blinking up at her. Rowan raised her free hand, brushing her fingertips lightly under Celeste’s chin, guiding her to look up.

“Look at me,” Rowan said, soft but certain.

Celeste’s chest heaved. She sighed shakily, her eyes locking onto Rowan’s.

“I got you,” Rowan whispered, her voice threading into the storm like an anchor. “What do you need me to do?”

Celeste just looked at her, wide-eyed, caught between unraveling and reaching for something solid. Words wouldn’t come.

So Rowan made the choice for her. She leaned in, pressing her lips to Celeste’s in the gentlest kiss.

The effect was immediate. Celeste melted into it, her shoulders dropping, her breathing easing for the first time since the scene. It was soft, grounding not hungry, not rushed. Just steady.

When they parted, Rowan’s eyes searched hers, calm and certain. “Is that better?”

Celeste’s eyes fluttered open slowly, still dazed. Her lips parted on a whisper. “Yeah… thank you.”

Behind them, the girls exchanged stunned looks. Simone’s jaw dropped, then she let out a low whistle.

“Well, damn,” Simone said. “I’ve never seen anyone and I mean anyone calm her down like that.”

Lila’s arms crossed tightly, but even she couldn’t argue. “Not once. That was… different.”

Naomi tilted her head, quiet but thoughtful. “Maybe exactly what she needed.”

Rowan didn’t look away from Celeste. She still held her hand, steady and sure, like she wasn’t going to let go unless Celeste asked her to.

Rowan didn’t let go of Celeste’s hand right away, her thumb brushing lightly against her knuckles. Her voice stayed soft, careful.

“Are you okay to keep filming today,” she asked, “or do we need to end and start up tomorrow?”

Celeste closed her eyes for a moment, inhaling slowly, her chest still rising unevenly. When she finally spoke, her voice was steady, but low. “We need to start up tomorrow.”

Rowan nodded without hesitation, no judgment in her tone. “Okay.” She gave Celeste’s hand another reassuring squeeze before standing. “I’ll be right back. I’ll let the director know.”

She turned to go, but Celeste’s grip tightened unexpectedly, keeping her anchored in place. Rowan paused, glancing back over her shoulder.

“I’ll only be gone for two minutes,” Rowan said gently, her lips tugging at the faintest smile.

Celeste blinked, realizing she was still holding on. Her gaze fell to their joined hands, heat rising in her cheeks. “Oh sorry.” She let go, her fingers curling into her lap instead.

Rowan’s smile softened, not mocking, just warm. “Don’t be sorry.” She brushed her fingertips lightly over Celeste’s hand one last time before slipping out of the room.

The door clicked softly behind her, leaving Celeste with her friends, who were already staring at her like they’d witnessed something monumental.

The door had barely closed before Simone let out a sharp laugh, breaking the silence like a whip. “Okay, hold on did we all just see that? Or am I drunk off yesterday’s tequila fumes?”

Lila’s arms were already crossed, her brows drawn tight. “Celeste, you literally wouldn’t let her hand go. That wasn’t just… professional gratitude.”

Naomi, calm as always, tilted her head, studying Celeste with quiet precision. “You were steady the second she touched you. That doesn’t happen. Not with anyone. Not even us.”

Celeste sat down hard in the chair, pressing her palms against her knees as if to ground herself. Her breath still felt uneven, her heart still racing in her chest.

“I don’t know what just happened,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Simone leaned against the vanity, arms folded. “Oh, I’ll tell you what happened. Rowan walked in here, told you to breathe, kissed you once, and suddenly the great Celeste —the one who doesn’t let anyone get past her walls—looked like she was ready to melt into the carpet.”

Lila softened at that, her tone gentler. “She calmed you down, Cel. No one’s been able to do that… ever. And I don’t think she even realized how big that was.”

Naomi’s gaze lingered on her, unreadable but kind. “You trust her. More than you want to admit.”

Celeste dragged her hands through her hair, groaning softly. “God, I can’t afford this. I told her I wanted to keep things professional, that we had to wait until filming was over… but the second she touched me, I—” She broke off, shaking her head. “I didn’t want her to let go.”

The three of them exchanged a look—equal parts worry, amusement, and curiosity.

Simone smirked, unable to help herself. “Well, damn. If that was her calming you down, I can’t wait to see what happens when you finally let her do more than that.”

“Simone!” Lila snapped, but even she couldn’t hide the faint curve of a smile tugging at her lips.

Celeste groaned again, covering her face with her hands. “You guys are impossible.”