“Options. Right.” Ruby surveyed the spread. “This could feed us for a week.”
“We'll manage.”
They pulled back onto the highway, munching on sandwiches and chips. Ruby turned up the radio, and when a particularly catchy pop song came on, she couldn't resist.
The absolute worse, most off-key version ofI’m walking on sunshinesoon filled the car, complete with exaggerated hand gestures.
Celeste shook her head, fighting a smile. “You're ridiculous.”
“I'm entertaining. There's a difference.”
“You're tone-deaf.”
“Rude but accurate.” Ruby sang louder, and finally Celeste laughed, the sound ringing pleasantly through the air. “See? You love it.”
“You're going to cause an accident.”
“You're the one driving! I'm just providing entertainment for our journey.”
“You're providing a headache.”
As the sun set, New Orleans appeared on the horizon, first as a glow against the darkening sky, then as distinct lights and shapes. The GPS directed them through increasingly narrow streets until they were in the French Quarter, the architecture transforming into something historic and magical.
“We're here!” Ruby exclaimed. “We actually made it!”
“With only minimal detours.”
“Hey, those detours were character-building.”
“Is that what we're calling them?”
They pulled up to their hotel, a boutique place with wrought-iron balconies and gas lamps flickering in the twilight. Ruby grabbed her bag and they headed inside, giddy with the accomplishment of actually arriving.
The lobby was elegant in that old New Orleans way, with exposed brick, vintage furniture and the scent of magnolia in the air.
At the check-in desk, the clerk smiled warmly. “Welcome! You must be Ms. Russo. Let me pull up your reservation.”
Celeste handed over her ID and credit card. Ruby stood beside her, trying not to think about how natural this felt. How easy it would be to keep doing this: traveling together and sharing rooms.
“Ah, here we are.” The clerk's smile widened. “The honeymoon suite. Congratulations!”
Ruby and Celeste exchanged looks.
“Oh, we're not—” Celeste started.
“It's the only room you had available,” Ruby interrupted smoothly. “And it's perfect. Thank you.”
They took the key and headed upstairs. The suite was absurd. There was an enormous bed with rose petals scattered across it, champagne on ice and candles arranged artfully on every surface. And in the corner, a hot tub big enough for four people.
“This is—” Celeste started, her eyes wide.
“Perfect,” Ruby finished, dropping her bag. “Come on, when's the last time you stayed somewhere this over-the-top?”
“Rarely.”
“Exactly. We're living it up.” She pulled Celeste close, unable to resist anymore. “We made it to New Orleans against all odds and through all my chaos.”
She kissed her then with the intensity of all the passion coiled up within her. Celeste kissed back immediately, her hands coming up to cup Ruby's face, and suddenly they were stumbling toward the bed, their mouths never separating.
