Chapter 12

The morning hit me like a freight train.

My head throbbed, my mouth was dry, and the living room looked like a battlefield. Empty chip bags, cookie crumbs, mismatched shot glasses scattered across the coffee table. Simone was snoring on the couch with one arm thrown dramatically over her eyes. Lila was curled up on the rug, a blanket barely covering her. Naomi had claimed the armchair, still poised even in sleep, as if even drunk she’d refused to completely let go.

I groaned, dragging myself upright. My hair was a mess, my clothes wrinkled, and I had the sudden, horrifying memory of Simone yelling shots, shots, shots! like a deranged DJ.

My phone buzzed in my hand.

I blinked at the screen, squinting against the light.

Rowan: Sleep well, Celeste?

A groan slipped out of me before I could stop it. My head felt like it was splitting in two, and she was asking me if I’d slept well? I rubbed at my temples, thumb hovering over the keyboard before I finally gave in.

Celeste: Not sure. Kinda hungover. My head is throbbing.

The reply sent before I could overthink it.

It didn’t even take a full minute for her response to come back.

Rowan: Do you want me to bring coffee? Or anything you need?

My breath caught. She wasn’t teasing. She wasn’t even trying to be clever. She was just… offering. Straightforward, thoughtful, there.

I stared at the message, my heart racing in my chest. The tequila haze might have been gone, but the Rowan haze? That was only getting stronger.

I typed slowly, biting my lip, before sending the only reply I thought could keep me safe — and still let her in.

Celeste: As long as it’s as a friend lol.

Rowan: A friend who knows your coffee order, or should I guess?

I groaned, pressing the phone to my chest for a second like that would steady me. She was so direct. I typed back quickly.

Celeste: Guessing feels dangerous.

Rowan: So is working with you. But I’m still here.

My pulse kicked, heat rushing through me. I forced my thumbs to be steady.

Celeste: Rowan… we said after the movie.

Three dots appeared, vanished, then reappeared.

Rowan: I know. I respect that. But bringing you coffee doesn’t break the rule.

Celeste: That depends. Coffee as a friend, or coffee as something else?

Rowan: That depends. Do you want it to be just as a friend?

I froze, staring at the screen, my heart slamming. My fingers hovered, typing then deleting a dozen times. Finally, I sent the only thing that felt safe.

Celeste: Right now… yes. Just as a friend.

Another pause. Then her reply came through.

Rowan: Okay. Then your friend will be there in twenty minutes. With coffee. And aspirin. And maybe a bagel, because something tells me you didn’t eat after last night.

I laughed under my breath, covering my face with my hand. She wasn’t wrong — dinner had been tequila and a handful of chips. My stomach groaned in agreement.

I typed back quickly.

Celeste: Can you maybe bring more than a bagel? Like… greasy hangover food? Fries? Breakfast sandwiches? Something with cheese?

It only took seconds for the dots to appear.

Rowan: So basically, you want me to show up with the entire diner menu.

Celeste: Not the whole menu. Just… the essentials. I’ll pay you back.

Rowan: Absolutely not. Friends don’t let friends Venmo them for life-saving hangover food.

I smiled at the screen, warmth spreading through me despite the pounding in my skull.

Celeste: Fine. But if you bring food, don’t expect me to share with Simone. She’s still dead on my couch.

Rowan: Noted. I’ll bring enough for you. Simone can suffer.

A laugh slipped out before I could stop it. My heart raced in my chest, and for once I didn’t fight it.

Rowan was on her way.