Page 39 of Staging Love
The moment Jade saw her, her face lit up with a smile that seemed to brighten the whole room. She moved swiftly through the crowd, her eyes never leaving Camilla’s.
“You were amazing,” Camilla breathed, handing her the bouquet and pulling her into a tight embrace. “Truly incredible.”
Jade’s arms wrapped around her, holding her close, and Camilla could feel the warmth radiating from her body, the soft hum of energy still coursing through her. “Thank you,” Jade whispered against her ear. “I’m so glad you were here.”
As they pulled apart, Camilla studied Jade’s face,searching for any sign of post-performance nerves. Instead, she saw only joy. “How do you feel?” she asked, her fingers still lightly grazing Jade’s waist.
“Exhilarated. Exhausted. A little like I’m floating,” Jade said with a soft laugh. “Opening nights always do that to me.”
“Well, you nailed it. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
A blush crept up Jade’s cheeks as she brought the roses to her nose, inhaling their fragrance. “These are beautiful. Thank you.”
Camilla smiled, her eyes lingering on Jade’s lips. “Not as beautiful as you.” God, what was happening to her? She was completely and utterly smitten and was starting to sound seriously cheesy. She couldn’t help herself though, and she didn’t care. If the new her involved being completely head over heels for Jade, then she was more than okay with every cheesy line, every flutter in her chest when Jade smiled, every ridiculous grin she couldn’t keep off her face whenever her phone buzzed with a message from Jade, and every time she zoned out in meetings like a lovestruck teenager.
Jade’s blush deepened, and with a playful smirk, she leaned in to kiss her. “Charmer,” she teased, her voice low as their foreheads touched. “Are you ready to ring in the New Year with me? We’ve only got an hour.”
“More than ready,” Camilla said, grabbing her coat. The excitement for the night ahead bubbled inside her as they headed out of the theater and into the cool West Hollywood night. The streets were alive with the energy of New Year’s Eve—laughter and music spilling out of bars, glittering outfits catching the streetlights. The world felt vibrant, buzzing tonight.
They walked hand in hand for several blocks, the noiseof the crowd swelling around them as they made their way toward a small, unassuming door wedged between a vintage shop and a tattoo parlor. A sign reading “The Green Room” was the only indication of the bar hidden behind it.
Inside, the bar was warm and lively, mismatched furniture filling the space, its walls covered in show posters and actor headshots. A jazz trio played softly in the corner, their music providing a soundtrack to the happy chaos of conversation and clinking glasses.
“I love this place,” Camilla said, glancing around, taking in the eclectic atmosphere.
“It’s a bit of a hidden gem.” Jade pulled her along to the bar. “A place where actors come to unwind, celebrate, or sometimes just survive. Not fancy, but always home.”
They ordered two glasses of champagne as a group of familiar faces approached. “Jade! You were brilliant tonight,” a tall man with bright red hair called out, pulling Jade into a hug.
Jade laughed, accepting the barrage of hugs and compliments. “Thanks, everyone. I’m so glad you came.”
As they exchanged pleasantries, Jade turned, her eyes lighting up as she introduced Camilla. “This is Camilla—my girlfriend.”
The word felt loaded as Jade spoke it. Girlfriend. But it sounded right—perfect, even, and Camilla met the group’s friendly greetings with a warm smile.
As the night wore on and laughter and conversation flowed, she felt at ease in this creative crowd, a world so different from her own but one she felt welcomed into. When the countdown to midnight began, Jade slipped her hand into Camilla’s and pulled her to a quiet corner.
“I want to start the year with just you,” she said. “It’s our first New year together after all.” The crowd chanted,counting down the final seconds of the year, Camilla found herself lost in Jade’s eyes, the noise around them fading into the background.
“Three… two… one…”
The bar erupted in cheers, but all Camilla felt was Jade’s lips on hers, soft, sweet, and full of promise. The kiss felt like a vow, a quiet assurance that whatever challenges the year ahead might bring, they would face them together. When they finally pulled apart, breathless and smiling, Jade rested her forehead against Camilla’s.
“Happy New Year,” she whispered.
Camilla kissed her again, this time hungrier, deeper, her hands sliding to the back of Jade’s neck. Her hands and lips moved with a sense of urgency, a need to pour every bit of what she felt for Jade into that moment. Her pulse quickened, and she realized with a flicker of surprise that she didn’t care if people were watching, didn’t care if anyone noticed the way her body pressed against Jade’s, how their kiss was far from casual. The new her, it seemed, didn’t mind public displays of affection—even ofthe steamy kind.
Camilla inched back just enough to look into Jade’s eyes, her breath still catching as she licked her lips. Her gaze flicked to Jade’s slightly parted lips before locking back onto her eyes as the corners of her mouth tugged up into a flirtatious smile. “Happy New Year, girlfriend.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The elevator doors slid open silently, revealing the impeccable interior of Camilla's penthouse. She stepped out, Jade following close behind, and watched nervously as her girlfriend took in her surroundings for the first time.
Her home occupied the top two floors of a luxury high-rise in Downtown Los Angeles, offering vast views of the city skyline. The open-plan living area was sleek and minimalist - all clean lines, neutral tones, and carefully curated designer furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows allowed natural light to flood the space, making the already spacious room feel even more expansive.
Jade stood in the center of the room, her overnight bag forgotten at her feet as she slowly turned in a circle, her eyes wide with wonder. "Wow," she breathed, her gaze lingering on the panoramic view of the city. "So this is how the other half live..."
Camilla felt a pang of self-consciousness. After spending the past few days in Jade's cozy one-bedroom apartment, surrounded by mismatched furniture and thewarm chaos of a life lived creatively, her own home suddenly seemed cold and impersonal in comparison.
