Page 57 of Love in Focus

It’s only a matter of time before Gemma will want something more serious. And after all she’s been through, she deserves someone who can be one hundred percent sure about her and give her the future, therelationship, she wants. And that’s not Celeste.

Celeste knows all that, but she can’t help but wish she can stretch this week out as long as she can. They now only have three days left of this project. Three days that she wants to enjoy with Gemma to the fullest before they go their separate ways.

Celeste sits up in bed and grabs her phone from the bedside drawer.

A month ago, she’d gotten an email about a short shoot in Sausalito. Since it’s only for a day, and just across theGolden Gate Bridge from where she’s staying, she’d said yes without thinking too much about it. At the time, she had no idea it would be the day before her last shoot for “Modern Love in Focus.”

Compared to the busy hustle and bustle of San Francisco, Sausalito is far quieter and smaller, with picturesque bayside views that end up on postcards. Previously, she’d only thought of it as another work trip. But now, it occurs to her that, if Gemma’s up for it, it can easily be a mini vacation. A little getaway they can go on to celebrate finishing a project they both worked hard on.

With a groan, Gemma stirs by her side. “I passed out again, didn’t I?”

Celeste laughs. “It’s a little past three. Welcome to Thursday.”

Gemma lets out an even louder groan. “I’m fucked. I have to get ready for work in a few hours. What if I can’t go back to sleep?”

“Oh, don’t you worry about that,” Celeste says. She runs a hand down Gemma’s spine, causing the other woman to shudder with pleasure. “I’m sure I can get you sleeping again in no time.”

Gemma laughs and turns over to curiously peer down at Celeste’s phone. “What are you up to? Emails? At this hour?”

“Kind of. Are you doing anything on Friday?”

“Besides work? Not really. Why?”

“I’m going up to Sausalito for another project. Do you want to come with me? It’s gorgeous there, and I think it’dbe a nice little trip before…” It’d seemed so easy when she thought it, but out loud, it takes Celeste a moment to go on. “Our last shoot together.”

Gemma stiffens. Avoiding Celeste’s gaze, she checks her own phone and asks, “What time do we have to get there by? I’ll have to take some work home, but I can leave around two, so we can avoid rush hour.”

“Two is perfect, since the shoot starts at three. I’ll drive, and I’ll pick you up from your office. I know a few cafés where you can finish up work. If you want, we could also go on a fancy dinner date by the shore at the end of the day. I’ll pay for all expenses, obviously. Since it’s my work trip.”

“You should have led with that!” Gemma jokes. But her voice grows soft as she continues, “But yeah… that sounds like a good…” With a frown, she abruptly clears her throat. “Anyway, I’m down. Thanks for coming up with this idea. I’ve been needing a little getaway for a while now.”

“It’s no problem. I was thinking we could also stay there overnight if that’s okay with you? Since our first interview the next day isn’t until ten a.m. We should have plenty of time to come back down to SF.”

Gemma lies back onto the bed. “Sounds good. I’ll go to my friends’ apartment tomorrow—or I guesstoday—after work to pack an overnight bag, then.”

“All right.” Celeste puts her phone away and slowly closes the distance between them. “Now that we’ve taken care of all that, are you ready for your nightcap?”

“Oh, yes, please.”

When I return to Kiara and Val’s apartment on Thursday night, the lights are off, and the entire apartment is covered with candles. Burrito is nowhere to be seen, and slow, classical music plays from the TV speakers. I’m afraid I’ve walked into some kind of sex thing when the smell of sage wafts to my nose.

“Gemma!” Kiara says, coming out of the bedroom. She closes the door behind her and throws her arms out for a hug.

“Watch your step,” Val cautions. “There are candles all over the place.”

“Were you guys about to have a date night?” I ask warily, just in case. “Where’s Burrito?”

“Burrito’s in the bedroom, underneath our bed,” Kiara answers. “He hates candles. And nah, it’s several days late, I know, but we’re about to do a New Year’s manifestation ritual. Join us!”

Sapphics are, stereotypically, a superstitious group, but Kiara is the most into the woo out of anyone I know. She’s been doing little rituals since I’ve known her, and Val always indulges her, even though she’s not a spiritual person, herself.

“It makes her so happy when I participate,” Val explained to me once. “So I can’t say no.”

Kiara places a yellow cushion on the floor for me so it joins the other two already there. But as I sit down, I realize I have no idea what I’m manifesting. A new job? I’m happy with my current one, and if this modern love project does well, it’ll hopefully make things even better. A new relationship? I’m happy with how things are with Celeste and me. Even though it’s temporary.

Stumped, I sit down on my cushion and stare into one of the candles.

Kiara starts by asking us to share what we’re manifesting.

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