“Hey Sky…” I start to say, knowing I need to nip this conversation in the bud quickly. But I know I’m too late when Skyla ignores me and asks, “When?” and Celeste’s eyes bug out in realization of where the conversation has led to.
“Umm…” she sputters, and for the first time, her gaze goes to me, silently begging for my help.
“Sky, Celeste is really busy,” I say. Celeste’s brows furrow and her head tilts to the side slightly. I didn’t mean it in a bad way, but she’s clearly taking it as such. I’m just trying to get her out of the hole she unknowingly dug herself into.
“Oh,” Skyla whispers, disappointment dripping in those two letters. She nods once and my heart plummets. I should’ve figured out sooner where this was leading to, so I could’ve put a stop to it.
“Actually,” Celeste says with defiance clear in her tone, “I’m not that busy at all. I would love for you to come and help me.” She plasters on a smile, but I can see through it. It’s all false bravado. The woman is so far out of her element right now, but fuck if she isn’t trying. And her trying is only making her that much fucking hotter. Because the fact is, she doesn’t have to try. Skyla is nothing to Celeste.
“Celeste,” I begin, about to tell her she doesn’t have to do this, but before I can get the words out, Skyla cuts me off. What is with these damn women and ignoring me as if I’m not standing right here?
“Really? That would be awesome! Oh! Since you aren’t busy, can you come to my career day next week? It’s the last day of school.” Oh, Jesus…
“Sky,” I groan. “Leave her alone, please.” I glance over at Celeste, who is now chewing on her bottom lip nervously. My guess is she jumped the gun when she invited Skyla to help her, out of spite, and now she’s realizing all that she’s agreeing to. The thing about kids is if you give them an inch, nine times out of ten, they’ll take a fucking mile.
“Can you?” Skyla repeats.
“Umm…I think so…” Celeste nods once. “I would have to check my calendar, but I think it would be okay…” She bites down on her lip again.
“Yes! Dad did you hear that? Celeste is coming to my career day!” Skyla closes the gap between her and Celeste and pulls her into a hug. Wrapping her arms around my daughter, Celeste’s eyes close briefly, and when she opens them, I’m almost certain her eyes are glossed over with unshed tears. But she turns her face away from me quickly, so I can’t confirm. Why would she be about to cry? Does she really hate me that much?
“Sky, she said she’ll try.” The last thing I want is for my daughter to get her hopes up and then to be let down. She’s been let down enough in her life.
Their hug ends and Celeste says, “I’m going to give your dad my business card so he can text me the info.”
Skyla nods and claps her hands together in pure bliss.
Eleven
Celeste
“I’ve been waiting for over a week for the proofs from the photoshoot, so I can approve the winter mockups, and my email still has nothing from you!” I yell into the speaker at Vince, my photo editor who works with Adam’s boyfriend, Felix. He remains silent on the phone—I’m sure shocked as to why I’m snapping at him, when technically the proofs aren’t due until the end of the day today, and he’s never once, in all the time he’s worked for me, been late.
When I stop yelling to breathe, Margie takes my cell phone off the desk and presses the button to take him off speaker. “Please excuse Celeste. She’s currently having an out-of-body experience. Aliens, dressed in Gucci and Marchesa, have taken over. We’ll be on the lookout for your email later. Ciao.” She hangs up and gives me her attention, her head tilting slightly to the side while I glare at her, annoyed at her making jokes while I feel so annoyed and agitated I’m about to rip my skin from my own body.
“This sudden little outburst doesn’t have anything to do with a handsome, tattooed, muscular man and his sweet daughter, does it?” She smirks knowingly, and I let out a growl.
“Adam!” I yell at the top of my lungs, knowing he’s somewhere close. He was scheduled for a photoshoot today and we’re supposed to have lunch when he’s done. “Stop talking behind my back!”
I hear a light-hearted chuckle but no response. My phone rings and Margie looks to see who’s calling, then hands it to me. “It’s Victoria Shaw.”
I answer it, praying nothing has happened to my mom. Ever since Nick and I called off our engagement last year, and he disowned his parents after they tried to ruin his relationship with Olivia, Victoria and I have been somewhat on the outs. It was as if a line was crossed, and I chose to side with Nick and Olivia. She was in the wrong, but refuses to see it. Therefore, she hasn’t once called me unless it’s regarding my mom.