“Professional people-watcher. I'm very qualified after years of experience.” She slouched lower in her seat, watching the town slide past outside the window. “Also, my brother says I'm nosy. But I prefer the term, 'curious about the human condition.'“
“That's one way to put it.” Celeste's shoulders had started to relax, the rigid line of her spine easing slightly. “How is Ronan? Jackson mentioned he's doing well.”
“He's a very successful tech bro now. Making our mother very proud with his responsible life choices.”
“And you?”
The question landed between them, casual but weighted. “I paint sometimes. Travel. Try to avoid settling down anywhere too long.”
“That sounds nice and freeing.”
“It sounds like running,” Ruby said before she could think better of it. Then, because she'd already opened that door, “Which it is. Mostly.”
Celeste was quiet for a moment. “What are you running from?”
“Expectations. The general disappointment of authority figures.” Ruby kept her tone light. “The usual.”
“I know something about that.”
Silence filled the air as Ruby waited for something, a detailed explanation or a follow-up statement. But there was nothing.
Very well then. It appeared the best option was to move on and pretend the recent sentence by Celeste didn’t exist.
“There you go again,” she said, changing the topic with a chuckle. “Is that you being shy once more?”
Celeste was mute for a long moment, her profile sharp against the morning light. “Not quite,” she said finally in a murmur so low Ruby almost missed it. “I'm shy around you specifically.”
Ruby's heart did something complicated in her chest. She turned to study Celeste's face but the other woman refused to look away from the road.
You're shy?Ruby wanted to say.Celeste Russo, who once eviscerated a teacher for grading unfairly, who graduated valedictorian, who built a successful law practice. You're telling me I make you shy?
But she didn't say any of that. Because something in Celeste's admission felt fragile, like a confession that had cost her something to make.
Instead, Ruby just smiled. “Well, that's interesting.”
Celeste shot her a quick glance, something like panic in her eyes. “What's interesting?”
“Just—” Ruby gestured vaguely. “You. This. The fact that you're admitting to being shy when five minutes ago you were trying to apologize like it was a deposition.”
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You absolutely do.” Ruby's smile widened. “You're fascinating, Celeste Russo. I'm starting to think this trip might be more interesting than I expected.”
Celeste didn't respond, but Ruby didn’t mind the silence this time.
What a truly interesting woman,she thought, watching Celeste navigate the highway with practiced ease.
One minute treating her like an arch-nemesis over ancient high school grievances, the next admitting that Ruby's presence made her shy. The contradiction was dizzying. Intriguing.
Dangerous.
Because Ruby had a terrible track record with fascinating women who were complicated and unavailable. And Celeste Russo was definitely both.
But as the city limits of Cheyenne Valley disappeared in the rearview mirror and the open road stretched ahead of them, Ruby couldn't quite bring herself to be wary about the danger.
Chapter Five
Celeste
