Page 45 of Painting Celia

“Yeah, no,” she countered. “He was nice at first, but now he’s either shouting at me or locked up in the pool house.”

Kelsey waved her hand at the chair León had been sitting in. “When you’re both in the same place, you always face each other. I’ve been watching it. It’s funny.”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” Celia objected.

“He pays way more attention to you than anyone else.”

Celia shook her head. “He’s always mad, though.”

Kelsey grinned. “In movies, if they fight, they’re in love!”

Celia had to laugh along with Kelsey. This was no movie!

“What’s so funny over there?” Andrew called, drawn to the laughter as his conversation with Trevor concluded.

“I’m telling her León likes her,” Kelsey explained, “but she doesn’t believe me.”

“León likes her fine,” Andrew said, rising from his chair. “And so do I, and so does Trevor, and so do you. Let’s eat cake! Let’s spank her for her birthday!”

“Don’t you dare!” Celia cried.

Kelsey’s beautiful cake was demolished, mostly by Andrew. As the fire died to embers, Celia began collecting the beer bottles, exhausted from being the center of attention for too long. It was a sign they all knew.

Trevor helped her take dishes to the kitchen while Andrew and Kelsey straightened the backyard. Andrew had to carefully rewrap his little sculptures as well.

“You and Andrew had plenty to talk about,” she told Trevor as they cleared the kitchen. She managed to catch a blush on his cheek. Maybe, then.

“Just art, the same as always,” he said, offhand.

Kelsey and Andrew came in—she carrying a bag of trash, and he, his bag and large sculpture. He set them all carefully on the kitchen island.

“Kelsey,” Trevor said, “I’m parked behind you. You’ll have to go before I can.”

“I’m ready.”

The two of them hugged Celia, wished her a happy birthday one last time, and left together. Andrew eyed the last piece of cake, still out.

“How can you eat more?” Celia said.

“Sometimes I’m not finished when I think I’m finished,” he said, giving her a look she knew very well.

“Ah.”

He moved in closer to her, warm brown arms stealing around her waist. “We could make this a really happy birthday.”

Well. It did feel good to be held after being alone so much lately. “Happy for whom?”

“Both of us.” Emboldened, he pressed his luck with a quick kiss. “It’s been a while. I could remind you what you’re missing.”

“No one’s missing anything,” she smiled. “I’m just convenient.”

“So am I. Do you have anything better on offer tonight? You know it’ll be nice.”

Sweet Andrew with his one-track mind. Celia felt no electricity, but the brush of his cheek past hers recalled warm, familiar nights. They had laughed together, nude, soaking in touch and darkness. She hadn’t felt as safe and wanted in a long time.

Why not?

She kissed him back lightly, having to stand on her toes to reach. An image of León rose in her mind. Would he notice Andrew had stayed? Well, what did that matter? She had a history with Andrew, and it was her birthday. She could treat herself if she wanted.

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