Stop torturing yourself with things you can't have,she reminded herself firmly.
But the fantasy lingered, sweet and poisonous in equal measure.
Then Ruby's stomach growled loudly enough to make them both laugh, breaking the moment.
“Subtle,” Celeste said.
“I'm a woman of many talents. Subtlety isn't one of them.”
Celeste slipped out of bed first. “I'm going to take a bath. Order room service?”
“Sure. What do you want?”
“Surprise me.”
In the bathroom, Celeste ran the water as hot as she could stand it, adding the complimentary bath salts the hotel had provided. She sank into the tub, letting the heat seep into her muscles and trying to sort through the tangle of feelings in her chest.
They had only a few days left together at this festival before they'd drive back to Cheyenne Valley and return to their real lives.
The water lapped against her skin as she shifted, and Celeste closed her eyes. She needed to get control of herself and remember that this was just a vacation fling, nothing more. That Ruby had her own life to live, a life of freedom and adventure and adventure that didn't include being tied down to a closeted lawyer with two kids and a family who could never know the truth.
By the time she emerged, dressed and with her hair still damp, Ruby had breakfast laid out on the small table by the window—coffee, pastries, and what looked like eggs benedict.
“You said surprise you,” she said, gesturing to the spread. “So I got one of everything.”
“That's not surprising, that's excessive.”
“Potato, po-tah-toe.”
They ate sitting across from each other, the festival program spread between them. The guide was thick, full of colorful photos and detailed descriptions of events.
“Okay, so the festival runs for five days total,” Ruby said. “The main art installations are open all day, but there are special events scattered throughout. See?” She pointed to a schedule. “Today there's a glassblowing demonstration at two, a photography exhibit opening at four, and live jazz on the main stage tonight.”
Celeste leaned over to look, trying to focus on the schedule instead of the way Ruby's hair caught the morning light. “What about the carnival section?”
“Opens at ten, runs until midnight. They've got games, food trucks, some kind of parade at sunset.” Ruby's eyes were bright with excitement. “We could spend the whole day just wandering around. No plan, just see what catches our interest.”
Celeste pulled the program closer. “Or we could hit the major exhibits in a logical order and make sure we don’t miss anything important.”
“Celeste.” Ruby reached across the table, taking her hand. “We're at an art festival in New Orleans. Spontaneity matters.”
“I just think if we plan strategically, we'll see more—”
“Or we could wander and see what finds us. Trust me. The best discoveries happen when you're not looking for them.”
“Fine,” she conceded. “Controlled wandering.”
Ruby laughed, bright and vibrant, and Celeste felt that overwhelming rush again, the sense of being pulled under by how much goodness Ruby carried with her.
She brought light into spaces Celeste hadn't even realized were dark and made everything feel livelier and more possible. The world looked different through Ruby's eyes, fuller and worth exploring instead of just enduring.
“Also, there's a collector showcase this afternoon and artists can bring portfolio samples. You should—”
“No.”
“Ruby, it's a perfect opportunity. You could print some of your pieces, just a few of the best ones.”
“I said no.” Ruby's voice was firm, her smile fading. “I'm here to look at art, not show mine.”
