Chapter 47

Celeste’s gaze lingered on Rowan, cutting through the noise of the room. Her voice was steady, but there was something fragile under it. “Come on,” she said quietly, jerking her head toward the hallway. “Let’s talk.”

Rowan didn’t move at first. She leaned back against the couch, her lips curving into that slow, mischievous smile she always wore when she wanted to make Celeste sweat.

Celeste turned from the couch and started down the hall, her heels clicking against the hardwood. She didn’t look back at first, assuming Rowan was right behind her. But after a few steps, she realized the footsteps she wanted to hear weren’t there.

Pausing mid-stride, Celeste glanced over her shoulder. Rowan was still on the couch, arms crossed, that teasing smirk plastered across her face as the others tried not to laugh.

Celeste narrowed her eyes, her tone dropping low and deliberate. “Now, Rowan.”

The way she said it sharp, commanding, leaving no room for negotiation made the whole room go quiet. Rowan’s smirk faltered for half a beat, replaced by a flicker of surprise.

Finally, Rowan stood, smoothing down her dress, and looked at the girls still lounging with drinks in their hands. “You saw that,” she teased with a playful laugh, “and I like that.” The room erupted into half-shocked groans and giggles.

“Girl!” Simone clutched a pillow to her chest. “You’re too much.”

Rowan only smirked, throwing them a wink before following Celeste down the hall.

Simone muffled a squeal into a throw pillow, Naomi arched a brow knowingly, and Lila busied herself with her glass, pretending not to stare.

In the quiet of the bedroom, Celeste walked straight to the bathroom. She turned on the tap, splashing cool water onto her flushed face, then grabbed a towel to wipe her mouth. When she finally looked at her reflection, Rowan was behind her in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame.

“You know,” Celeste said, her voice low but firm as she met Rowan’s eyes in the mirror, “it’s only you I want. Nobody else. Not Lila. Not anyone.”

Rowan tilted her head, studying her carefully. “Is that true?”

Celeste didn’t hesitate. She turned, closed the space between them, and slid a hand to the back of Rowan’s neck, pulling her in. Their lips met in a slow, soft kiss nothing rushed, nothing messy, just a promise pressed between them.

Rowan’s smile softened, her hand tracing over Celeste’s arm. “Good,” she murmured, brushing another kiss against her lips. “Because I was starting to wonder if I’d have to fight for you.”

Celeste smirked faintly, her thumb brushing Rowan’s jaw. “You don’t. You’ve already got me.”

The room was quiet, just the hum of the AC and the faint noise of the girls in the living room carrying on without them. Celeste stood close, so close she could see every flicker of light in Rowan’s eyes. She reached up, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind Rowan’s ear, her fingers lingering against her cheek.

Her voice was low, husky, touched with the burn of alcohol but steady. “The alcohol may be making me bold right now… but, Rowan I love you.”

Rowan froze. Her lips parted, but no words came. Her eyes widened, her breath caught somewhere in her throat. For once, the confident smirk she always wore was gone.

Celeste’s heart twisted at the silence. She pulled her hand back, the warmth of Rowan’s skin leaving her fingers cold. “Sorry if that was too soon,” she murmured, forcing a bitter laugh as she stepped back. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

The silence dragged, heavy and sharp. Celeste’s chest tightened, the weight of Rowan’s hesitation crushing her. She shook her head and whispered, almost pleading, “Say something, Rowan.”

Rowan opened her mouth, but only a stutter slipped out—”I… I—” Nothing more.

The rejection wasn’t spoken, but Celeste felt it. She released Rowan’s arm, brushing past her with a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Without another word, she slipped out the bedroom, through the house, and out the front door.

Celeste didn’t stop moving. Her heels clicked down the hall, through the living room where the girls sat stunned at the sight of her storming past. She didn’t even look at them—just pushed open the condo door and stepped into the elevator. By the time the doors closed, her chest was rising and falling hard, and her hands were trembling.

She rode down in silence, each floor number flashing above her head like a countdown. When the elevator opened, she walked straight through the lobby and out into the humid night air. The glow of the pool lights called to her. Without hesitation, she dropped her jacket onto a lounge chair, kicked off her heels, and stepped into the water fully clothed.

The cold clung to her, soaking her blouse and suit pants, but she didn’t care. She let herself float onto her back, eyes staring up at the patch of city sky framed by tall buildings. The mask she wore every day felt stripped away, leaving her raw.

Upstairs, Rowan came out of the room with her face pale and her hands pressed to her sides. The chatter in the living room stopped instantly. All three girls stared at her.

“What happened?” Simone asked, sitting forward, her eyes darting toward the door Celeste had disappeared through.

Rowan swallowed, her voice quiet but heavy. “She just… she just told me she loved me.”

The room went still, the words landing like a bomb.

“What?!” Lila nearly spilled her drink, her jaw falling open. “She said that? Out loud?”

Naomi blinked, her calm demeanor finally cracking as her brows shot up.

Rowan nodded, her throat dry. “Yeah. And I… I didn’t say anything back.”

There was a beat of silence before Simone groaned, slapping her palm to her forehead. “Oh my god, girl.”

“You didn’t say anything back?” Lila hissed, shaking her head in disbelief. “Rowan, she just bared her whole heart to you!”

Rowan rubbed her temples, pacing. “I froze, okay? I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t even know how to react. And now she’s—” She broke off, her chest tightening.

Naomi’s voice was steady but firm. “So let me get this straight Celeste told you she loves you, you just stared at her, and then she walked out?”

Rowan nodded slowly, guilt washing over her face.