Doubts, Distance, and a Dangerous Smile
That night, as Celeste lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, an uneasy feeling settled in her chest.
She couldn't pinpoint why.
Maybe it was the conversation earlier. Maybe it was Lucas's words—the way he subtly suggested she shouldn't just believe what others told her. Maybe it was Adrian's lingering tension whenever Lucas was around.
Or maybe it was the fact that, for some reason, she felt like she was being watched.
She shook her head, brushing off the thought. You're overthinking.
—
Celeste had barely taken a sip of her coffee when Adrian dropped a folder onto the desk in front of her.
"Read it."
Celeste blinked at him before picking it up. It was a background check on Lucas Hale.
She frowned. "You had someone investigate him?"
Adrian crossed his arms. "Yes."
Celeste's brows knitted. "Adrian, he's an old college friend. Why would you—"
"Just read it," Adrian cut her off, his tone firm.
Celeste exhaled sharply before flipping through the pages. Everything seemed normal—he came from an average family, had good grades in college, studied business, and even started working in property management. There was nothing alarming.
She shut the folder and looked at Adrian. "And?"
Adrian leaned against the desk, his eyes dark. "I don't trust him."
Celeste sighed. "You don't trust any man around me."
Adrian gritted his teeth. "That's not the point."
"Then what is?" she challenged, folding her arms.
Adrian exhaled, his patience thinning. "Celeste, he's too interested in you."
She frowned. "He's just being friendly."
Adrian let out a humorless laugh. "Friendly? Celeste, the guy miraculously pops up whenever you need help, tells you what you should and shouldn't believe, and acts like some harmless, clueless nerd when he's anything but."
Celeste rolled her eyes. "You're overreacting."
Adrian's jaw ticked. "You're being naive."
Silence filled the room.
Celeste stood, shaking her head. "Lucas hasn't done anything wrong. You're being ridiculous."
Adrian ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "And you're too trusting."
Celeste huffed, picking up the folder. "Thanks for the concern, but I don't need you investigating my friends."
She turned to leave, but Adrian grabbed her wrist.
"Celeste." His voice softened. "I just—" He paused, then sighed. "I don't want you to get hurt."
Celeste hesitated but pulled away. "Then trust me to handle myself."
And with that, she walked out.
Adrian watched her go, his chest tight.
—
Celeste sat at a café alone, stirring her tea absentmindedly.
She hated fighting with Adrian.
But at the same time, his overprotectiveness was suffocating. Lucas wasn't a threat. He was just a familiar face from college, someone who had been nothing but kind.
Right?
"Lost in thought?"
Celeste jumped slightly, looking up to see Lucas standing there, his glasses perched on his nose, looking every bit the nerdy college student she remembered.
She let out a breath. "Lucas. You scared me."
He chuckled, sitting across from her. "Sorry about that."
Celeste smiled, but something still felt off.
"Are you okay?" Lucas asked, tilting his head. "You seem tense."
She hesitated before sighing. "I had an argument with Adrian."
Lucas hummed. "About me?"
Celeste blinked in surprise. "How did you—"
Lucas laughed. "It's obvious. He's always glaring at me."
She chuckled. "Yeah, well... He thinks I shouldn't trust you so easily."
Lucas feigned a hurt expression. "Ouch. I thought we were friends."
Celeste sighed, shaking her head. "It's complicated."
Lucas smiled gently. "Celeste, I know I probably shouldn't say this, but... are you happy?"
She frowned. "What?"
"With Adrian. Are you happy?" he asked, his tone innocent. "I mean, I just remember how much you used to shine back in college. You were so full of life."
Celeste froze.
Was she happy?
Before she could answer, Lucas reached across the table, placing his hand over hers lightly. "All I'm saying is, don't let anyone dim your light."
Celeste swallowed, suddenly uneasy.
Lucas smiled, his glasses slipping slightly. "You deserve to be around people who let you shine, not those who try to control you."
Before she could respond, her phone vibrated.
Adrian.
She hesitated before answering. "Hey."
"Where are you?" His voice was tight.
Celeste glanced at Lucas. "Out. Why?"
"Come back here," Adrian said.
Celeste sighed. "I'll be back later."
Adrian didn't argue. He just hung up.
Lucas smiled, sipping his tea. "You should go. Wouldn't want to upset your husband."
Celeste let out a nervous laugh, feeling a shiver creep up her spine.
she realized—Lucas never really answered whether or not he still had feelings for her.