Page 115 of That Moment
“Because every time you start dodging questions, it means something’s going on. So tell me, Adrienne, what is it this time? Sneaking off to Scotty’s for an afterno?—”
“Oh, Jesus Axel, I’m going to Celeste’s, okay? I need to talk to her about a job opportunity she offered me. The second the words leave my mouth, I panic.
Shit.
“Job opportunity?” Axel repeats, voice suddenly sharp. “Since when? Where?”
I scramble. “It’s nothing. Her old firm in L.A. reached out. Celeste mentioned she might recommend me. I’m just… considering it. That’s all.”
The line goes quiet. So quiet it’s worse than yelling. Finally, he mutters, “Considering leaving? And you didn’t think to tell me? Does Aiden know?”
I press my lips together, staring at the blur of pines outside the window. “No. It’s not a big deal. I promised Au?—”
“It’s a big deal tous.To the family. We’ll talk later—at the party.”
And just like that, he hangs up. The silence in the car feels heavier than before. My throat burns. I toss my phone back into the cup holder and blink hard, forcing my shoulders straight. It’s fine. He’ll cool off. He always does.
By the time I turn into Celeste’s drive, my pulse has finally started to slow, but my stomach still twists. I shouldn’t have snapped at Axel. I shouldn’t have saidanythingabout the job. But it’s too late now.
For as long as I can remember, Celeste has always kept her and Drake's house looking like it belongs on the cover of a garden magazine. The wrap-around porch is dotted with a colorful array of hanging plants along the top, and the railing is lined with an equal number of flower baskets.
When she opens the door, her brow lifts in surprise. “Adrienne? What a lovely surprise. A second later, her smile fades and her brows furrow. “But what’s wrong, honey? What are you doing here in the middle of a workday?”
“Damn, am I that predictable?” I laugh, already knowing I am. It’s a well-known and documented fact that I’m married to my job. “I, um… needed a break,” I say, stepping inside. The scent of vanilla and coffee hits me instantly. “Hope I’m not interrupting.”
She waves me off. “You could never interrupt. Sit.”
I sink onto one of the kitchen stools while she pours two mugs from the French press. She slides one toward me and leans against the counter, waiting. Celeste has always been like that. She doesn’t pry. She justlistensuntil you can’t keep the words in anymore. I guess that’s why she’s one of the best attorneys I’ve ever seen.
“I think I might be losing my mind,” I finally say, wrapping my hands around the mug. “Between work, the anniversary party, the LA thing, and…” I swallow hard. “Scotty.”
Her brows lift, but she doesn’t interrupt.
“I don’t even know where to start. One second, I’m sure I know what I want, and the next, I’m terrified of wanting too much. And now I’ve got Axel acting like I’m committing treason for eventhinkingabout L.A.”
Celeste smiles faintly. “Your brother’s protective. It’s a Slade trait.”
I laugh under my breath. “He acts like I’m twelve.”
She sips her coffee, eyes kind. “You didn’t drive out here just to vent about Axel.”
“No.” My voice drops. “I think I’m in love with Scotty.”
There. It’s out.The words hang between us, raw and terrifying.
Celeste doesn’t flinch. “And that scares you?”
“Of course it does. He’s… everything I shouldn’t want. My brother’s best friend, who is also the town manwhore?” She laughs and shakes her head. “He doesn’t play games, but he doesn’t promise things either. I know we’re both scared of ruining things between us, but it’s like, come on, you have to risk something at some point. And then there’s the job offer?—”
“You’re afraid you can’t have both,” she finishes softly.
I nod, throat tight. “Every time I picture leaving, my chest hurts. But every time I picture staying, I feel like I’m letting go of something I’ve worked my whole life for.”
For a long moment, the only sound is the ticking of the clock above the sink. Then Celeste sets her cup down. “You know, there was a time I swore I’d leave Colorado for good.”
I blink. “You?”
She smiles, wistful. “Oh, yes. You know I’d just come here from L.A. to help the family get the brewery back on its feet. I told myself it was temporary; hell, my firm said it was temporary, just a year or so to get it stable before I went back to my real life. My apartment lease was waiting; my old firm kept a spot open. And then there was Drake.”
