Chapter 13
13
T he waiter led Vanessa and Kate up a winding staircase, the clatter of the bustling restaurant below fading with each step. As they reached the top, the night air greeted them, carrying with it the steady rhythm of the ocean. Vanessa’s steps slowed as she took in the scene before her.
The rooftop had been transformed into a romantic oasis, full of soft lights and candles. A single table stood in the center, draped in pristine white linen, the flicker of candlelight casting a warm glow on the polished silverware.
Vanessa had requested a romantic setting, and the restaurant had delivered beyond her expectations. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of something, regret maybe, that this was all for show.
The ocean’s murmur provided a soothing soundtrack, and she hoped the gentle crashing of the waves would help calm her thoughts. She stole a glance at Kate, whose eyes reflected the dance of the candle flames, her expression a mix of awe and maybe nervousness.
The waiter pulled out their chairs, inviting them to sit. Although, she couldn’t imagine why Kate would be nervous. Last night was the time for Kate to have felt intimidated, but she’d handled everything with ease.
Vanessa watched as Kate settled into the chair across from her. She was wearing a tailored royal blue jumpsuit that hugged her figure perfectly, exuding an air of class and sophistication. The fabric complemented Kate’s eyes, making them stand out even more. The top was sleeveless, showing off toned arms, and the silver pendant hanging from Kate’s neckline was simple, yet it caught the light in a way that drew Vanessa’s attention to her collarbone. Her blond hair was styled in loose waves, framing her face softly. The entire look was a blend of modern chic and classic elegance.
The waiter’s voice faded into the background as Vanessa adjusted the lapel of her cream blazer. She’d spent nearly an hour in her walk-in closet earlier, pulling out outfit after outfit, knowing whatever she chose would be all over social media tomorrow. The blazer had been the right choice - tailored to emphasize her waist, paired with fitted black pants that elongated her legs. Underneath, she wore a black camisole that dipped just low enough to be interesting. Her dark hair was left straight tonight, falling a few inches below her shoulders.
“And our fish special tonight is a pan-seared Chilean sea bass...” The waiter’s words drifted back into focus.
The outfit projected exactly what she needed. Powerful yet approachable, sexy but sophisticated. She’d learned long ago how to dress for the cameras while still looking like she hadn’t tried.
The photographer that Elliot had tipped off was hidden somewhere across the street, but that was honestly the last thing on her mind as she lost herself in the moment, the setting, and the woman across from her.
The waiter returned, presenting a bottle of Chablis with practiced flourish. Vanessa’s gaze drifted to Kate as the waiter went through the ritual of showing the label, cutting the foil, and removing the cork. The soft pop echoed across the rooftop.
When the waiter tilted the bottle toward Vanessa for approval, she gestured to Kate. “Would you like to do the honors?”
The waiter poured a small amount into her glass. Kate lifted it and brought the glass to her nose, inhaling the wine’s bouquet before taking a small sip.
A slight smile played at the corners of Kate’s mouth as she nodded. “It’s perfect.”
The waiter proceeded to fill both their glasses, leaving the bottle nestled in the silver ice bucket between them.
Vanessa lifted her wine glass, taking a small sip while scanning the rooftops across the street. A shadow shifted. There he was. The photographer blended into the darkness in his black attire, but years of dealing with paparazzi had honed her ability to spot them. They’d chosen this restaurant specifically for its rooftop setup, but now she noticed a flaw in their positioning.
The table placement meant the photographer would only capture her, missing Kate’s reactions entirely. That wouldn’t do. The whole point was to show them together, to let the public see how in love they were. They both needed to be in those photos.
At least the lighting was perfect. The string lights cast a warm glow that would look great on camera, and the moon hung low and bright over the ocean. But none of it would matter if they couldn’t get the right shot.
Her fingers played with the stem of her wine glass as she considered their options. Before they left, Vanessa would have to make sure that they stood at the edge of the rooftop and admired the view.
A light breeze carried the salt air across the rooftop, stirring Kate’s hair. The slight momentarily distracted Vanessa from her tactical planning. Kate looked radiant in the gentle light, and for a brief moment, Vanessa forgot about the photographer entirely. She caught herself staring.
Kate’s eyes met Vanessa’s, catching her mid-stare. A small smile tugged at the corner of Kate’s mouth.
“This is quite the setting.” Kate’s voice carried across the table.
“It is.” Vanessa took another sip of wine, savoring its crisp notes.
Kate’s blue eyes held Vanessa’s. “I know we don’t know each other very well, not really, but you can trust me. Yesterday must have been hard. And I just wanted you to know that I’m here if you want to talk about it.”
The genuine concern in Kate’s voice touched something deep inside Vanessa. She shook her head, pushing away the image of Lauren’s face from the party. “Let’s not bring down the evening.”
“Okay,” Kate said as she reached for her glass and took a sip.
“But thank you,” Vanessa added. “And we might not know each other well, but for what it’s worth, I do actually feel like I can trust you.”
The breeze picked up, carrying with it the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. Vanessa focused on that rhythm, using it to ground herself in the present moment rather than dwelling on memories of yesterday’s confrontation.
“I’m glad,” Kate said.
Vanessa’s eyes lingered on Kate’s profile as the younger woman gazed toward the ocean.
“While we wait for our dinner...” Vanessa pushed back her chair. “The view from the edge is amazing. Would you like to see it?”
“I’d love to.”
They both stood, leaving their wine glasses behind. Vanessa extended her hand, and Kate’s fingers slipped into hers. The contact sent a small thrill up her arm. She led Kate toward the edge of the rooftop, conscious of the photographer’s position across the street but finding herself distracted by how natural it felt to hold Kate’s hand.
They reached the low wall that bordered the rooftop. The moon created a shimmering path across the dark water. A gentle breeze lifted Kate’s hair, and Vanessa watched as a few strands danced across her face. Without thinking, she reached up and tucked them behind Kate’s ear, her fingertips grazing the soft skin there.
“You look stunning tonight,” Vanessa murmured, her hand lingering near Kate’s face. The words came easily, naturally - too naturally for someone who was supposed to be acting.
Kate’s lips tugged into a smile, her eyes glinting with amusement. “You know that photographer can’t hear us.”
“I know.” She hesitated for a moment, her fingers still resting lightly on Kate’s cheek. The warmth of her skin was intoxicating, and Vanessa had to resist the urge to lean in closer. “But I wanted to say it.”
Kate’s smile softened, her eyes searching Vanessa’s face as if trying to read her thoughts.
Vanessa hated how much she wanted to kiss Kate, but at the same time, that was exactly what this moment called for. The photographer hidden across the street needed to capture the perfect shot, and this could be it.
Vanessa hesitated, her eyes flickering down to Kate’s lips. She could almost feel the softness, the warmth. The memory of their first kiss in the alley still lingered.
“Can I kiss you?” Vanessa asked softly.
“Yes,” Kate murmured, her eyes never leaving Vanessa’s.
Vanessa leaned in, her eyes locked onto Kate’s, the anticipation building between them like a rising tide. As their lips met, it was as if time itself had slowed down, allowing them to savor every moment of this slow, sensual dance. The softness of Kate’s lips against her own was intoxicating, a gentle caress that sent a ripple of electricity through Vanessa’s entire body.
Kate’s hands slid beneath Vanessa’s blazer, her fingertips grazing the silky fabric of Vanessa’s camisole. A shiver ran through Vanessa, her breath catching in her throat as a wave of desire washed over her.
This kiss was different from the ones they’d shared before. It was slow, deliberate, a languid exploration that Vanessa couldn’t seem to get enough of. Kate’s lips moved against hers with a tenderness that made her heart ache, and Vanessa felt herself melting into the kiss, her body leaning into Kate’s, her hand slipping underneath her hair, resting at the nape of her neck.
Vanessa could feel the tension in her body, the coiled heat that threatened to consume her. She wanted to lose herself in the moment, to forget the photographer, the public, the carefully crafted image that they were trying to present. She just wanted to kiss Kate for the sake of kissing her, for the pure joy of it.
Kate’s thumbs traced circles on Vanessa’s waist, sending waves of heat coursing through her, and Vanessa knew that she had to pull away.
Vanessa’s eyes fluttered open, meeting Kate’s gaze. She searched Kate’s eyes, looking for a reflection of her own feelings, but Vanessa had no idea what Kate was thinking.
Vanessa swallowed. The photographer across the street had surely gotten what he came here for, but in that moment, Vanessa realized that the lines between reality and illusion were blurring, the boundaries of their staged romance crumbling beneath the weight of her desire. The kiss had been a part of the performance. But it had also been real.
At least for Vanessa it had been.
“We should probably get back to our table.” The words came out thick, her throat tight.
Kate nodded, and they walked back to their seats in the center of the rooftop.
Vanessa’s lips still tingled from Kate’s kiss. That wasn’t acting. Not for her.
She’d spent decades perfecting her craft, inhabiting different roles, different personas. But that kiss… Nothing about that had been a performance. Just raw, unfiltered want that scared her more than she cared to admit.
Vanessa reached for her wine glass, desperate for something to ground her. She took a careful sip, using the moment to compose herself. She set her glass down with steady hands, determined not to let her inner turmoil show. Kate didn’t need to know how much that kiss had affected her.
How much all their kisses had affected her.
The waiter appeared at their table, plates balanced expertly in his hands. Steam rose from the perfectly arranged dishes as he set them down. Vanessa stared at her sea bass, its crisp skin glistening under the candlelight. The aroma of herbs and citrus drifted up, but her appetite had vanished.
Her mind kept circling back to the kiss. To Kate’s hands on her waist. To the way Kate’s body had felt pressed against hers.
The waiter disappeared, leaving them alone again. Vanessa picked up her fork, more for something to do with her hands than any real desire to eat. The fish flaked perfectly under her fork. Kate took a small bite of her risotto, closing her eyes briefly as she savored it. The sight of her obvious pleasure sent a jolt through Vanessa’s body. She forced herself to look away, to focus on her own plate.
This was getting dangerous. These weren’t the kinds of thoughts she should be having about someone who she’d entered into an agreement with. Someone who was only kissing her for the cameras, to help her. Someone who was so much younger than her.
Vanessa had to get this under control quickly, or she’d have to put an end to this right now.
And maybe she should.
Their plan had worked perfectly. Too perfectly. The photos from the alley kiss had gone viral, sparking endless speculation and discussion. Social media couldn’t get enough of them. Even the most cynical entertainment journalists seemed captivated by their story.
She could end it now. Walk away while they were ahead. They’d achieved what they set out to do: improve her image after Lauren’s betrayal and give Kate a platform for coming out.
There was no reason to continue this charade.
And if they called this whole thing off, then maybe she could stop thinking about Kate’s smile, or the way her eyes lit up when she laughed, or how soft her lips felt.
The smart thing would be to end it now.
She could call Elliot tomorrow. They could let the public believe they were still seeing each other, but maybe they were just being more private from now on. And then they could officially break up in a few weeks, just as they’d planned.
The logical part of her brain screamed at her to stop this now, while she still could.
While her heart was still mostly intact.