Page 65 of Something Blue

“Ha. Ha. Funny.” I throw the napkin at her and grin. “I’m serious.”

Dalila’s eyes soften as she stares across the table towards me. “I can see you are. And - as much as I’m still furious with Celso for what he did - I’m happy for you. I’m also a bit worried you understand? I mean I don’t want to make things weird or make you worried - but it’s Celso. I don’t know. He’s always been so - he’s always been Celso.” She shrugs.

I nod, I understand what she’s trying to get out. I’ve always known Celso was trouble and her warning doesn’t fall lightly. He’s dangerous and unpredictable and I am still worried about him being obsessed because I’m something shiny and new - and when it wears off and I’mme -what will he do then?

“Be careful.” She says a soft smile on her lips. “I want you to be happy, Neve, but be careful. I don’t want you to get your heart broken.”

I nod. “I am being careful. I know I have to be.” She’s right. I’m falling way too deep, way too fast. It could all be an act, a game of some sort.

“Ugh.” Dalila says, rolling her eyes and shaking her shoulders as though she is trying to shake off some weird vibe. “Let’s not talk about my brother anymore.” She grins. “Another cocktail? And I think you should get that body con dress we saw at Le Perla. It will be so hot with your new sneakers or a pair of heels. Win win.”

“Alright. Another cocktail and this sushi is incredible.” I pop another salmon rose into my mouth and wince when I taste it, I added a little too much wasabi.

Dali giggles.

Girl’s day out is perfect. Talking to her gives me so much perspective regarding where my head is at - what direction my thoughts are going on. It’s weird to admit that I am falling for Celso, and a little bit terrifying too. What if this is a game to him?

What if I’m the newest shiniest toy on his shelf and soon this all going to wear off and I’ll be - what will I be? What will happen to me when Celso gets bored?

“I don’t think I can carry any more bags.” Dalila laughs, adjusting her fingers around the shoppingbags she has in her hands. “Shall we go back to the car? My feet are sore anyway. With the amount of walking we did I feel like we could have climbed Everest.”

I laugh at how dramatic she can be sometimes.

“Sure, my legs are tired too. I can head home and curl up on the sofa to watch a series.”

“Yes, that’s what I want to do too.” She nods as we head towards the exit and out to the car.

The funny thing is that while Dalila chats about Nevio and what they’ve been up to, driving through the city with our windows open and the breeze whipping our hair into the air, my sunglasses down and the sunshine pressed against my skin - all I can think about is that I’m excited to get home and see Celso.

Home.

Because that’s how I feel about his penthouse now. It feels like my home. It is my home.

And Celso - he’s my person. And I’m excited to be back with him.

I want to show him the cute things I bought, maybe even do a little fashion show for him. I want to tell him about how great the cocktails were and how we should definitely go to that place for sushi one day. I want to tell him I might be falling in love with him - but that - that would be stupid of me, wouldn’t it?

A crazy little smile flickers across my lips as I enjoy the fresh air rushing into the car window. Dalila turns the music up and starts singing to an old Cranberries song. I join in, out of tune and too loud, my smile stretching all the way across my lips now.

I message Celso to tell him I’m on my way home and he replies with a little heart sayingI can’t wait.

When we pull up outside the building Celso is waiting down stairs for us. Dalila climbs out of the car, parked near the entrance, to help me unload my shopping bags. I bought half the amount she bought, but it still seems like way too much.

Celso walks over to help by taking the shopping bags and holding them in one hand. The other arm, he wraps around me so that he can pull me up close tohim and kiss me.

“I missed you.” He grins against my lips.

“I missed you too.” I whisper.

“Gross.” Dalila shouts, slamming the back door closed.

I let go of Celso and walk back over to her to hug her goodbye. “Thank you for an amazing day.” I say.

“Yeah, yeah, get yourself back into the house so no one else has been tortured with your gross lovey-dovey stuff.” She laughs, pushing me away. She climbs into her car and waves as she leaves.

Celso pulls me towards the elevator, and we head up to our penthouse. I snuggle against him in the elevator and he leans close to my ear and whispers “I can press the emergency stop button. We’d have at least twenty minutes before they got it going again.” My cheeks flush pink and I glance at the security cameras.

“Actually, I thought I would do a little fashion show for you to show you what I bought today.”

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