Chapter 54

Celeste had just slipped into her favorite silk pajama set, hair damp from the shower, when a soft knock echoed at her bedroom door. She frowned, glancing toward it, then opened it to find Naomi standing there in an oversized T-shirt, her expression uncharacteristically small.

“Can I…” Naomi hesitated, eyes dropping to the floor. “Can I sleep beside you? I don’t really want to be alone tonight.”

Celeste’s heart softened immediately. “Of course,” she said gently, stepping aside. “The bed’s big enough for both of us.”

Naomi crawled in like she’d done it a thousand times, tugging the blanket up as she scooted close. “Cuddle me,” she mumbled, almost embarrassed.

Celeste chuckled but didn’t hesitate. She wrapped her arms around her best friend, pulling her in snug. “Better?” she teased softly.

“Much,” Naomi whispered, already sinking into the comfort.

The two drifted off quickly, the quiet of the condo wrapping them in peace.

Hours later, before the sun had even fully risen, a sharp knock rattled the front door. Celeste stirred first, blinking at the clock on her nightstand. 5:02 a.m. She groaned and nudged Naomi gently.

“There’s someone at the door,” Celeste murmured.

Naomi buried her face into the pillow. “Then go get it. It’s your place,” she mumbled, half-asleep.

Celeste slipped out of bed reluctantly, tying her robe around her waist as she padded down the hall. She opened the door and froze.

Rowan stood there, disheveled but determined, her eyes locking onto Celeste’s immediately. “Can we talk?” she asked, voice tight.

Celeste rubbed her forehead. “Rowan, it’s five in the morning.”

“I know,” Rowan replied, stepping forward a little. “But I couldn’t wait anymore.”

Before Celeste could even form a response, Naomi’s voice drifted from the hallway. “Baby, who’s at the door?” Naomi asked casually, voice still thick with sleep.

Rowan’s eyes flicked past Celeste just in time to see Naomi padding out of her room still in nothing but a T-shirt and underwear, hair messy, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

Rowan’s face darkened instantly. Her body tensed, and before Celeste could stop her, she surged forward like she might lunge at Naomi.

“Rowan!” Celeste snapped, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her back with surprising strength. Rowan’s chest rose and fell, fury and hurt flashing in her eyes as she stared past Celeste at Naomi.

Naomi froze, wide-eyed, suddenly fully awake.

Rowan’s voice came out sharp, almost breaking. “What was she doing coming out of your room? Did you guys sleep together? Is she the reason you wouldn’t call me back or answer my texts?”

Her words cracked against the quiet morning like glass shattering.

Celeste held up her hands, voice firm but calm. “Rowan, calm down. We didn’t sleep together.”

Rowan shook her head, chest rising fast, eyes glossy with hurt. “And how do I know that? How do I know you’re not just just playing me right now?”

Celeste’s expression hardened. In one swift move, she pushed Rowan back against the wall, pinning her with her body. Her voice dropped low, rough with frustration and longing. “Because I want you, Rowan.” She kissed her hard, fierce, leaving no room for doubt. Pulling back just slightly, she whispered against her lips, “Again, Rowan, I want you. But you don’t love me.”

Rowan’s breath hitched, eyes wide. “I do love you,” she blurted, desperation raw in her voice.

Celeste searched her face, jaw tight. “And how do I know you’re telling the truth? That you’re not just saying it now because you feel bad, because you think you’re about to lose me?”

Rowan’s eyes glistened, her hand gripping Celeste’s wrist. “I’ll prove it to you. I promise.”

Celeste stepped back slightly, eyes flicking toward Naomi who was still standing there, arms crossed, watching. “Go ahead then. Ask her.”

Rowan turned to Naomi, still shaking. “Well? Did you?”

Naomi made a face like she’d just bitten into something sour. “Ew, no. We just cuddled as friends. I promise you that. Celeste and I aren’t attracted to each other like that.”

She paused, smirking faintly, her tone sharp as she added, “But if you want me to, I can. I haven’t had any in a while anyway. So go ahead fuck up again, Rowan and I just might.”

The words landed heavy.

Rowan blinked, stunned, and Celeste let out a strangled sound half laugh, half groan dragging her hands over her face. “Oh my god, Naomi…”

Naomi folded her arms, her gaze locked on Celeste before she let out a dry laugh. “You know how easy it would’ve been for me to sleep with you last night if I wanted to?” she said, stepping closer. “We were right there. No one would’ve known.”

She paused, smirk tugging at her lips as she leaned in, fingers catching Celeste’s chin, forcing her to meet her eyes. “Matter of fact…” Naomi whispered, tilting her head. “I still could. Right now.”

Before Celeste could react, Naomi pressed a quick, deliberate peck against her lips.

Rowan’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open. “Are you serious right now?” she blurted, stunned.

Naomi broke away just as quickly, wiping her mouth dramatically with the back of her hand. “Eww!” she groaned, shuddering like she’d just swallowed something sour.

Celeste doubled over laughing, nearly breathless as she reached into her pocket, pulled out a folded bill, and slapped it into Naomi’s hand. “A hundred bucks, just like I promised.”

Naomi grinned, flashing the bill. “Easy money.”

Rowan threw her hands in the air. “You guys suck.”

Naomi smirked, tucking the bill into her pocket. “Relax, Rowan. I had to help my bestie get her get back. Consider it a little… test run for your jealous streak.”

Naomi crossed her arms, her playful smirk curling back into place but her tone sharpened with an edge Rowan couldn’t miss.

“Let me be real with you for a second,” Naomi said, looking Rowan dead in the eye. “You better get your shit together, because if I ever decide I want my back blown out and Celeste is standing there, available?” She tipped her chin toward Celeste with a little shrug. “I will call her. And you’ll never know.”

Rowan’s mouth dropped open, caught somewhere between outrage and shock. “What the hell, Naomi?” she snapped, her voice cracking with disbelief.

Celeste clapped a hand over her mouth, laughing into her palm, clearly amused by the ridiculous turn of events. Naomi, unbothered, pulled the hundred-dollar bill Celeste had given her earlier out of her pocket and fanned herself with it.

“I’m just saying,” Naomi went on, grinning now, “don’t get too comfortable. My bestie’s a catch, and if you don’t start proving you love her, someone else hell, even me will.”

Rowan groaned, dragging her hands down her face. “You two are evil.”

Celeste leaned against the wall, chuckling. “Nah, we’re just honest.” She slipped her hand into Rowan’s, her voice softening. “But Naomi’s right about one thing. You’ve got to show me you’re serious.”

Naomi smirked wider, satisfied. “See? I do the dirty work, and she delivers the heart-to-heart. Teamwork.”

Celeste straightened her robe, her expression cooling as the laughter faded. She looked Rowan square in the eyes, her voice dropping into something steady and unshakable.

“Listen carefully,” she said, her tone cutting through the tension in the air. “My walls are back up. And they aren’t coming down so easily this time. If you really want me, Rowan, you’re going to have to show me. You’re going to have to prove it every single day.”

Rowan swallowed hard, nodding without hesitation. “I can do that,” she said quickly, her voice tight with determination.

Celeste gave a small, skeptical smile and shook her head. “We’ll see,” she murmured, brushing past her toward the door. “Now go. I’ll talk to you later.”

Rowan hesitated, then smirked slyly. “Fine. But I’m not leaving without this.”

Before Celeste could react, Rowan leaned in and stole a quick kiss, soft but daring, her lips lingering just long enough to make her point. She pulled back with a grin, turning her eyes to Naomi.

“Ha,” Rowan said smugly. “Had to. Got the last kiss.”

Naomi burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. “That’s cute,” she shot back, her eyes glinting with mischief. “But the second this door closes, I can get another one.”

Rowan’s head snapped toward her, indignant. “Eat shit, Naomi!” she shouted over her shoulder as she stormed toward the elevator.

Naomi doubled over, cackling so loud the sound followed Rowan into the hall. Celeste just sighed, pressing her palm over her face to hide the smile tugging at her lips.