Page 101 of The Assignment: Room 3

“Of course.” I give him the details and tell him I’ll call him later. Right now, I want to focus all my attention on Celest and her family. Tonight is a big deal for me, and I want to make a good impression.

“Thanks, Luther.”

With the bottle in hand, I head back inside, where Celest is putting the dinner plates on the table. She looks so domesticated. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but honestly, I’ve never seen a sub of mine in a setting like this.

“Can I help?” Her face brightens at my voice, and fireflies take flight in the pit of my stomach. I am falling so hard for Celest, and I didn’t see it coming. The thought that we could remain friends with benefits is laughable now.

“There are wine glasses in the second cabinet from the left, but you don’t need to do anything. You’re my guest.”

“Be ow-r guest, be ow-r guest, put a silver to the twest.” Gracie dances around the table singing her little heart out.

“I get a song and everything.” I smile.

Celest looks at me with a giggle. “It’s fromBeauty and the Beast.”

“Which one am I?” I tease.

“Definitely the beast.” She winks at me, but it’s not a compliment, is it? I must have a confused expression because she immediately starts rambling. “It’s a good thing. Women always talk about the beast being their first bad-boy crush when we were kids. You haven’t seen it?”

“Why would I watch a chick flick?”

“It’s a Disney movie. Did you grow up under a rock? Everyone knowsBeauty and the Beast. The castle is under a spell. The dishes are alive. They sing the song.”

“You’re really cute,” I blurt out without conscious thought.

“Am I cute? Am I cute?” Gracie asks as she grabs hold of my pant leg.

“Yes. You are extremely cute. The cutest kid I’ve ever seen.” I’m not even lying. She’s adorable.

“You sit next to me, Mr. Fex.”

“I would be honored. You can just call me Flex. No Mister needed. We’re friends, right?”

“Yay! Mommy, Fex is my friend.” I don’t think a woman has ever been that excited to be my friend, probably because Gracie and I are on the same emotional maturity wavelength.

“It’s F-Lex, baby.”

“I saying that, Mommy. Fex! Fex! Fex!”

“I’m just going to legally change my name.” I’m rewarded with a breathtaking smile from Celest, and it makes my pulse race.

She wasn’t kidding when she said we would be eating the meal Gracie picked out. There, in the center of the table, is a bowl of gummy worms, a mound of scrambled eggs, and a dish full of sweet potatoes.

Celest takes a seat on my right. Leaning in, her lips brush against my ear, “I’ll order pizza when she goes to bed.” I close my eyes, letting the soft scent of her perfume intoxicate my senses.

“It’s lovely to see you again, Felix,” Celest’s mother interjects, pulling me out of my daydream.

“Likewise, Mrs. Monroe. I’m happy to be here.”

“She’ll get annoyed at me for saying it, but I haven’t seen such a vibrant smile on my daughter’s beautiful face in quite some time. I like you already.”

“Thank you, Nora. I appreciate you allowing me into your home. I hope you’ll be seeing a lot more of me.” I let my gaze wander to where Celest sits with an expression I can’t quite place. The face that isn’t straight-up happy gives me cause for concern.

“It’s not my home. Celest took me in. I just help out where I can.”

“She’s trying to make me sound more appealing and less pathetic. I live with my mom, and I’m a single mom. It is what it is.”

“You don’t give yourself any grace, darling. You’ve been through so much, and the strength you’ve shown every step of the way…”

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