Chapter 67

Naomi leaned forward, her voice low and serious now. “Don’t say anything. They’re coming back.” She glanced toward the entrance of the VIP section, spotting Celeste and Rowan weaving through the crowd.

She exhaled, steadying herself. “And listen if I disappear for a few days, just a heads up… I’m not mad. I’m just trying to get my shit together.”

Lila and Simone nodded in unison, the weight of her words settling between them. They didn’t press her further, just gave her a look that said we’ve got you.

Seconds later, Celeste slid back into the booth, Rowan right behind her. Rowan plopped down close, her arm draping casually over the back of Celeste’s seat like she’d done it a hundred times before. Celeste leaned forward to grab her drink, her expression calm but her energy a little sharper, like the night had shifted something in her.

Naomi plastered on her usual smirk, masking the whirlwind in her chest. She sat back, swirling what was left in her glass, acting as if nothing heavy had just been discussed.

Rowan glanced between them all, oblivious to the undercurrent, and said lightly, “Alright who’s ready for round two?”

Simone raised her hand. “You know I’m always down.”

Lila chimed in with a laugh. “Just don’t have us carrying y’all out this place again.”

Celeste chuckled, her eyes flicking briefly to Naomi just a second too long before she looked back at Rowan.

Naomi took a sip of her drink, whispering in her own head like a mantra: just sex… just sex… just sex.

But the way Celeste had looked at her just now made it clear: it was never that simple.

The bass thumped so hard the floor seemed to vibrate beneath them. Lights flashed over the VIP section, painting everyone in neon glows and shadows. Drinks flowed, laughter rose, but the undercurrent between the three of them thickened with every passing minute.

Rowan leaned into Celeste, whispering something in her ear that made Celeste chuckle, her hand brushing across Rowan’s thigh. Naomi caught the gesture out of the corner of her eye, her jaw tightening despite herself. She threw back another shot, letting the burn ground her.

Lila noticed immediately. She leaned toward Simone, murmuring just loud enough to be heard over the music. “See? She’s jealous.”

Simone snickered. “Mmhmm. This triangle’s about to snap in half.”

Meanwhile, Naomi pushed to her feet, deciding she wasn’t about to sit there and watch. “I’m gonna get us another bottle,” she said, her tone casual but clipped. She slipped out of the booth and headed toward the bar, hips swaying as though she owned the room.

Celeste’s eyes followed her without meaning to, tracking the curve of her dress as she disappeared into the crowd. Rowan caught it instantly. She leaned back, sipping her drink, and smirked.

“You keep looking at her like that,” Rowan said, voice low but cutting through the music, “people are gonna think you two have a thing.”

Celeste froze mid-sip, then forced a laugh. “What are you talking about?”

Rowan tilted her head, studying her. “You’ve been staring at her all night. You’re not as slick as you think you are.”

Celeste set her glass down, leaning closer until their noses nearly touched. “Even if I was staring… what exactly would you do about it?” Her voice was a teasing whisper, but her pulse hammered in her throat.

Rowan’s lips curled, the corner of her mouth brushing Celeste’s. “I’d remind you she’s not the one sitting in your lap right now.”

Celeste smirked, tugging Rowan closer by her waist. But just as their lips met, Naomi reappeared another bottle in hand, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly at the scene before her.

Simone whispered to Lila again. “Yup. Told you. By the end of tonight, this is gonna blow.”

Lila grinned, eyes glued to Naomi and Celeste. “And I am living for it.”

Naomi slid back into the section, but instead of setting the bottle down for everyone, she twisted the cap off and tipped it straight to her lips. The liquid burned its way down, her throat working as she swallowed, then she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand like it was nothing.

Rowan raised an eyebrow. “You’re not gonna share?”

Naomi smirked, her voice just loud enough for Celeste to hear over the music. “Depends. Sharing isn’t really my thing.”

She leaned closer, her shoulder brushing Celeste’s, her breath warm against her ear as she whispered something only the two of them could hear.

Celeste burst out laughing, nearly choking on her drink. “Naomi! We said we would never talk about that!”

Rowan straightened, her gaze darting between the two of them. “What? What’s so funny?”

Celeste waved her hand dismissively, cheeks still flushed from laughter. “It’s an inside joke. You wouldn’t get it.”

Rowan’s eyes narrowed just a fraction, her lips pressing together in a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Uh-huh. An inside joke, huh?”

Naomi leaned back in her seat, smug, taking another swig straight from the bottle like she’d just won a game only she and Celeste knew the rules to.

Lila elbowed Simone, whispering with wide eyes. “Oh yeah. This triangle is about to catch fire.”

Simone smirked, sipping her drink. “Pass the popcorn. This is getting good.”

Rowan stood abruptly, smoothing her dress. “I need to go to the restroom,” she said casually, though her tone carried something unspoken. She disappeared into the crowd, heels clicking against the floor.

Naomi wasted no time. She shifted closer to Celeste, their thighs brushing, and leaned in until her lips were practically against Celeste’s ear.

“Who are you taking home tonight?” Naomi whispered, her voice low, teasing.

Celeste turned her head slowly, her brows raising as if Naomi had lost her mind. But then a smirk tugged at her lips. “Who’s asking?”

Naomi’s hand slid onto Celeste’s lap, fingers spreading with deliberate pressure. “Your best friend…” she murmured, her eyes locked on hers. “Turned lover.”

Celeste’s breath caught, the tension buzzing between them like static. She tilted her head, smirk widening. “Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Naomi shook her head knowingly, lips curving into a devilish grin. “No waiting. I already know it’s me.”

Before Celeste could fire back, Naomi grabbed the bottle and held it over Celeste’s lips. “Open up.”

Celeste’s eyes narrowed playfully, but she parted her mouth. Naomi tipped the bottle, pouring a stream in deliberately spilling some so it trailed down Celeste’s neck. Celeste coughed on a laugh, reaching to wipe it away, but Naomi caught her wrist.

“Don’t waste it,” Naomi purred. She leaned in, licking a slow path from Celeste’s collarbone up her neck, ending at the corner of her lips. The move was so bold it nearly made Celeste choke on the last bit of liquor.

Naomi pulled back with a wicked smile, snatched Celeste’s shades off the table, and slid them onto her own face. She leaned back in her seat, legs crossing with exaggerated elegance, and tipped the bottle back for another swig.

Across the section, Simone and Lila’s jaws dropped in unison.

“Holy shit,” Simone blurted, laughing. “I’ve never seen that side of you before, Naomi.”

Lila fanned herself dramatically, cackling. “That was sexy as hell. Who knew you had it in you?”

Naomi simply smirked behind the shades, the picture of unbothered confidence.

Naomi leaned back into the couch, bottle in one hand, shades tilted low on her nose like she owned the room. She flicked her gaze toward Rowan, lips curving into that dangerous little smirk.

“Come here,” she said smoothly, patting the seat beside her. “Sit by me.”

Rowan raised a brow, curious but game, and slid over until she was right next to Naomi. “Alright,” she teased, settling in. “What are you plotting now?”

Naomi tipped the bottle in her direction, her smirk growing sharper. “You want a shot too? Celeste just had one.”

Rowan chuckled and nodded. “Sure. Why not?”

Naomi poured slow, deliberate just like before letting the liquor trail down past Rowan’s lips, drip along her chin, and run a line down her neck. “Oops,” Naomi said in mock-innocence, though her grin made it clear she’d done it on purpose.

Before Rowan could grab a napkin or protest, Naomi leaned in, her tongue tracing up the slick path, warm breath skating over Rowan’s skin. She sealed her mouth on the tender spot at Rowan’s throat, sucking just enough to pull a soft, startled moan from her lips.

Rowan’s body jolted, her hand instinctively grabbing Naomi’s thigh, fingers curling tight into the smooth fabric of her dress. “Oh my god…” she breathed, half laughing, half dazed.

Naomi pulled back just enough to whisper into her ear, her voice velvet and wicked. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Rowan covered her face with one hand, still clutching Naomi’s thigh with the other, her laugh shaky and flustered. “Someone take the bottle from her,” she groaned, tilting her head back dramatically. “She gets freaky when she’s drunk.”

That did it. Simone and Lila were doubled over, laughing so hard they nearly spilled their drinks. They pointed between the three of them like they were watching the best live show of their lives.

And Celeste who’d been sitting back, jaw tense, eyes narrowed just enough to give her away suddenly let out a sharp laugh too. It was quick, a little too forced, but real enough to make the whole section pause for a second before the laughter rolled on again.

Naomi grinned wide behind her shades, soaking in the chaos she’d caused. Rowan, still holding onto Naomi’s leg, peeked at Celeste through her fingers, her cheeks burning.

Rowan was still hiding her face, fingers clutching Naomi’s thigh like she couldn’t quite steady herself. Naomi leaned back against the couch, smug grin practically glowing under Celeste’s shades, bottle dangling lazily from her hand.

She turned her head slowly, eyes landing on Simone and Lila, who were still cracking up and whispering to each other like they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

Naomi tipped the bottle toward them, her smirk widening. “What about you two?” she asked, her voice smooth and teasing. “Do you want a shot too?”

Simone and Lila exchanged a look, both eyebrows shooting up.

Naomi let the pause linger, then leaned in a little closer, dropping her voice into a low purr. “Don’t worry… I don’t bite.” She gave a wicked grin, letting the beat hang in the air before adding, “…unless you want me to.”

Simone’s jaw dropped, and she burst out laughing so hard she nearly spilled her drink. “Girl, you are dangerous tonight!” she wheezed.

Lila shook her head with a disbelieving smile, fanning herself with her hand. “Lord, Naomi, you’re out here trying to corrupt the whole table.”

Celeste let out a low laugh, shaking her head, though her eyes never left Naomi. Rowan, still flustered, peeked up from her hand, her laugh muffled but real.

Naomi just leaned back, lifted the bottle to her lips, and took another long swig like the queen of chaos, crossing her legs with a flourish.

“Come on,” she coaxed, her tone playful but bold, “it’s just one shot. Loosen up a little.” Her smirk turned sly as she tapped the bottle against her palm. “Or… we can always finish this back at Celeste’s place. No cameras, no audience. That way she doesn’t have to worry about anyone catching us.”

The table went silent for a beat, everyone blinking at her like she’d just thrown a firecracker in the middle of them.

Simone was the first to burst out laughing, nearly choking on her drink. “Naomi! Girl, you are too much tonight!”

Lila’s jaw dropped before she shook her head, grinning wide. “Oh no, absolutely not. We are not turning Celeste’s house into Naomi’s playground.”

Rowan covered her face with both hands, peeking between her fingers as she laughed. “I swear, someone take the bottle from her!”

Celeste, who had been leaning back in her seat watching the chaos with a half-smile, finally let out a warm laugh. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “You are so lucky I like you, Naomi.”

“Y’all heard me,” Naomi said, shrugging innocently as she leaned back again, crossing her legs like nothing happened. “I’m just trying to keep the night going.”

Everyone looked at each other, the laughter bubbling up until it drowned out the tension.

Celeste leaned back in her seat and rubbed a hand over her forehead. “Okay, okay, pause. I need to use the bathroom before I choke from laughing.”

Naomi glanced at her, the corner of her mouth curling in a smirk. “You’ve been holding your liquor better than anyone here—don’t start tapping out now.”

Celeste grinned faintly, her voice dipping into mock seriousness. “I’m not tapping out. Just need a second.”

Naomi grabbed the bottle from Celeste’s hand before she could take another sip. “Uh-huh, sure. I’ll go with you—make sure you don’t get lost on the way.”

Simone, already tipsy, reached out lazily. “Hand me that bottle then, guardian angel.”

Naomi laughed, passing it over. “Hold this for me. And don’t you dare finish it, Simone.”

“No promises,” Simone said, winking as she took another swig.

Celeste stood, Naomi rose with her, steadying her when she swayed slightly, their hands brushing—just long enough to spark a current neither of them acknowledged out loud.

Rowan caught it, her eyes flicking up from her glass, but she said nothing. Just watched them disappear down the hall together, her expression unreadable.

“Be right back,” Celeste said over her shoulder, and then she and Naomi slipped away, laughter and music fading behind them as they turned the corner toward the bathroom.

The light was softer there, quieter. The air heavier.

Naomi leaned against the doorframe once Celeste stepped inside, arms crossed, a teasing grin tugging at her lips. “So… bathroom buddy duty, huh?”

Celeste glanced at her through the mirror, wiping a bit of stray glitter from her cheek. “You insisted.”

Naomi shrugged. “Yeah, well. I like making sure my star doesn’t fall off her orbit.”

Celeste turned toward her, smiling faintly. “You always know what to say, don’t you?”

Naomi’s grin softened. “Not always. Just when it’s you.”