Page 58 of Love in Focus

“A promotion,” Val says. “They’re making me do twice the amount of work I signed up for, and it’s time I got better pay for it. Or find a better job, but I like working with you two, so… we’ll see. What about you, hon?”

“A better place in the Ticketmaster queue for Beyoncé’s next tour,” Kiara says rapidly, like she’s recited this multiple times. “Life’s been good lately, but I still haven’t fully recovered from us missing theRenaissancetour! As cool as the movie version was, I need to see my queen live and in the flesh!”

“Don’t worry, babe,” replies Val. “Next time, it’s going to be all hands on deck. I don’t care if we need to go on PTOto virtually stand in line or what, because we aregettingthe tickets before the scalpers drive up the prices.” She makes a determined fist.

I feel a twinge of guilt. Trying to get tickets for theRenaissancetour was yet another thing I missed while I was wrapped up in my life with James.

“I’ll help, too,” I say. “I’ll take the whole day off if I need to.”

“Aw!” Kiara wraps us both in her arms. “I love you guys!”

Both my friends then turn to me.

“How about you, Gemma?” Val asks. “What are you manifesting?”

I let out a nervous laugh. “Well, I was thinking about how everything is finally good for me now, too. I’m almost done with the project for Evelyn. And my thing with Celeste—”

Kiara gasps, cutting me off. “That’s right! How’s that going?”

“It’s been great,” I reply. “I’m really happy right now. I almost wish it didn’t have to end so soon.”

“Soon?” Kiara says with a frown.

“Yup. We’re only seeing each other until we finish this project. Afterward, Celeste is returning to LA and that’ll be that.”

Val leans back, folding her arms to her chest. “I know I’m the one who told you to go with the flow, but will you be okay when it all ends? You’ve been spending a lot of time with her recently.”

“Right,” Kiara says. “You seem to really like her, Gemma. And you’re so happy with her! This doesn’t haveto be theendend, right? I mean, your parents live in SoCal, too! Maybe you two can do long distance!”

“Yeah,” I reply. “But I don’t think Celeste has any interest in continuing this. Or at least, that’s the impression I got from what she’s been saying.”

Val and Kiara exchange worried glances.

“Honestly, after what happened with my last relationship,” I continue, “I’ve been trying to stay in the present. I learned the hard way that sometimes it’s best not to worry so much about the future. And even if this thing with Celeste doesn’t go anywhere, I don’t think I’ll ever regret reconnecting with her. It’s been super healing and helpful, since we resolved a lot of things from the past.”

Kiara smiles. “Well, I’m happy for you, then. And proud of you, too! It sounds like you’re in a good place.” She glances around at the candles. “Okay, I have an idea. Gemma, how about for you, we manifest a new, healthy, and happy long-term relationship! Not necessarily for right now, but for somewhere along the line. Whenever you’re ready!”

I make a face. “Can we do that? I thought manifesting was for things you wanted to happen in the near future.”

“Not necessarily!” Kiara says. “Things might happen quickly, or they might happen years later. You never know.”

Val nods. “Yeah, why not? If Kiara is manifesting tickets for a tour Beyoncé hasn’t even announced yet—a tour she may have not evenplannedyet—why can’t you manifest a new relationship you want atsomepoint?”

Kiara giggles. “Everything happens in divine timing.”

“And Beyoncé’s, apparently,” Val quips.

“Bitch, Beyoncéisa goddess!” Kiara exclaims jokingly. “What are you talking about? It’s like that one Ariana Grande song. God is a woman, period.”

We all cheer in agreement and join hands to start the ritual.

On Friday afternoon, I exit through the doors of my office building. The city streets are loud and crowded, and, at first, I’m worried Celeste won’t be able to get to me. But then a white BMW zips through traffic and comes to a stop in front of me with its hazards on.

Celeste rolls down her window and waves at me. I have to admit it. Seeing her drive a nice car like that, especially in a busy city like San Francisco, is hella attractive.

The husky croons of an alternative rock singer greet me when I open the door, along with some percussive beats and futuristic-sounding guitar. Celeste taps her steering wheel to lower the volume and says, “Hey,” while I get into the passenger seat.

“Hi.”

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