Chapter 61

DIRECTOR
“Alright, everyone, that’s a good place to pause. Let’s take lunch. One hour — be back sharp and ready to go!”

A ripple of relief swept across the crew. Cables were dropped, headsets came off, and the scramble toward the catering tables began. The actors stretched out of their tense positions, easing back into themselves.

Celeste leaned back in her chair, exhaling deeply. Naomi, perched on a nearby stool like her silent shadow, glanced at her with a knowing look. “Food?” she asked gently.

Celeste gave a small nod, tugging at her jacket as if shedding Elena’s weight. “Yeah. I could use a reset.”

As the crew scattered toward catering, Naomi leaned closer to Celeste, her tone low and matter-of-fact. “You don’t have to fight that crowd. I already ordered from your favorite place it’s here.”

Celeste turned her head, surprise flickering across her face. “You did?”

Naomi gave a small shrug, playing it off. “Of course. I figured you’d be too wrapped up in everything to think about food. It’s in your dressing room, waiting.”

For the first time all morning, Celeste’s lips curved into a faint smile. “You think of everything, don’t you?”

Naomi stood, brushing invisible lint off her jeans. “Somebody has to. Come on, before it gets cold.”

They slipped away from the buzz of the stage, walking the familiar path down the hallway. Crew members nodded as they passed, but Naomi kept her hand lightly at the small of Celeste’s back, guiding her like a steady anchor through the chaos.

Inside Celeste’s dressing room, the scent of takeout filled the air. Containers were spread neatly across the small table exactly what Celeste loved most. She let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head as she sat down.

“You’re ridiculous,” she said softly, opening one of the containers.

Naomi sat across from her, finally letting a grin spread across her face. “No. I’m necessary.”

Celeste lifted her fork, twirling a bite before bringing it to her lips. The flavor hit instantly, comfort wrapped in something so familiar it made her shoulders drop a little. She glanced at Naomi, a faint grin tugging at her mouth.

“I could get used to you spoiling me like this,” Celeste said between bites.

Naomi rolled her eyes, but there was affection behind it. “Shut up,” she shot back, leaning back in her chair with a smirk. “I always spoil you and make sure you’re good. Don’t act like this is something new.”

Celeste laughed, the sound light and genuine, her shoulders shaking as she set her fork down for a moment. “That’s true,” she admitted, tilting her head. “You’ve been doing this since the day we met, huh?”

Naomi grinned wider, resting her chin in her hand as she watched Celeste eat. “Exactly. So don’t start pretending like I’m suddenly doing anything special. I’ve always had your back.”

Celeste chuckled again, warmth lingering in her chest as she picked up her fork. “Yeah, you have.”

Celeste was mid-laugh, shaking her head at something Naomi had just said, when the door to her dressing room creaked open. Rowan stepped inside, her script tucked under her arm, eyes flicking between the two of them.

Naomi didn’t move from her spot across the small table, casually spearing another bite with her fork. “Hey,” she greeted easily, as if nothing about the scene should raise a brow. She leaned back in her chair, perfectly comfortable, perfectly steady.

Celeste glanced up, lips still curved from their laughter, though the warmth in her cheeks shifted as she registered Rowan’s presence. “Hey,” she echoed, softer, almost careful.

Rowan lingered by the door, her eyes narrowing slightly before she let her expression smooth out, covering the quick flicker of something sharp. “Didn’t realize you were having lunch in here,” she said lightly.

Naomi gave a shrug, still chewing, her tone deliberately nonchalant. “Her favorite spot just so happened to deliver right on time. Figured I’d make sure she actually eats instead of running on coffee and nerves.”

Celeste met Rowan’s gaze, something quiet and unreadable in her expression, before dropping her eyes back to her plate. “She’s not wrong,” she murmured, picking up her fork again.

Rowan hovered a beat too long at the door before finally stepping inside. She pulled up one of the extra chairs against the wall and set it near the table, dropping into it with a quiet exhale.

Naomi didn’t skip a beat. She leaned across the table, nudging Celeste’s plate with her fork. “Don’t even think about giving me those last fries,” she warned, playful as always.

Celeste rolled her eyes, smirking. “You literally ordered two extra sides just for yourself.”

“Yeah,” Naomi shot back without missing a beat, “because I knew you’d try to steal mine. Prevention is key.” She popped one into her mouth, looking smug.

Celeste laughed, shaking her head. “Unbelievable. I can never win with you.”

Rowan sat quietly at first, watching the rhythm between them their banter so natural it was almost disarming. But Naomi didn’t act like anything was strange, and Celeste… Celeste seemed lighter, laughing in a way Rowan hadn’t seen in days.

Finally, Rowan jumped in, tone teasing. “So, does Naomi always get to play food police, or is that just today?”

Celeste grinned, wiping her hands with a napkin. “Always. She’s been bossing me around about food since the first day we met.”

Naomi pointed her fork dramatically, grinning. “And she still hasn’t learned to listen.”

Naomi pointed her fork at the last piece of steak on the plate like it was sacred treasure. “Alright, whoever wants this is gonna have to fight me for it.”

Celeste arched a brow, pushing back from the table as a slow grin spread across her face. She shrugged off her jacket, tossing it onto the chair. “Bet. Let’s go.”

Rowan’s eyes widened, half laughing, half stunned, as Celeste squared her shoulders like she was about to step into a boxing ring.

Naomi pushed up from her seat, cracking her knuckles theatrically. “You sure you wanna embarrass yourself again? You lost last time, remember?”

Celeste smirked, circling her best friend with mock seriousness. “Beginner’s luck. This time, you’re going down.”

Rowan covered her mouth, clearly trying not to laugh out loud as the two women squared off in the middle of the dressing room.

They lunged at each other no real malice, just playful energy. Naomi ducked under Celeste’s arms, twisting her into a mock headlock. Celeste fought back, laughing so hard she nearly lost her balance, but Naomi was quicker, using her leverage to pull Celeste down onto the couch.

Within seconds, Naomi had Celeste pinned, straddling her waist triumphantly.

The laughter died for just a heartbeat. Their eyes locked, breaths mingling, and the room felt suddenly smaller charged with something unspoken.

Naomi’s grin faltered just for a second before she quickly masked it, hopping off of Celeste like nothing had happened. She brushed off her shirt, smirking. “And that’s game. Now pay me.”

Celeste sat up, still catching her breath, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. She picked up the last piece of steak from the plate, spearing it with her fork. “Fine. You win.”

Naomi leaned forward expectantly, and instead of just handing it over, Celeste held the fork out and fed it to her. Naomi took the bite with exaggerated satisfaction, chewing dramatically.

“Mmm,” Naomi said with her mouth full, flashing a smug grin. “Victory tastes delicious.”

Rowan shook her head with a laugh, but her eyes lingered a little longer than usual, watching the easy rhythm between them.

Celeste groaned, throwing her head back against the cushions. “Every. Damn. Time.”

Rowan burst out laughing, clapping her hands together. “Wow. I thought I was about to see an actual fight, but nope just a comedy show.”

Naomi popped the steak into her mouth, chewed dramatically, then winked at Rowan. “Told you. She can’t beat me. Not when food’s on the line.”

Celeste shook her head, still laughing despite her loss. “One of these days, Naomi. One of these days.”

The room filled with laughter again, the tension from earlier nowhere to be found.