THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 998

Rosemarie looked at her, puzzled. "Didn't you say you and your friend were meeting at nine-thirty? It's only nine o'clock! Why don't we find a coffee shop and wait?"

Celeste shook her head. "What if she gets here early and can't find me? Let's just wait a bit. It's not hot under the tree."

A massive oak tree stood by the music academy's entrance, its dense canopy of leaves offering cool shade from the sun.

Rosemarie gave Celeste a sidelong glance. "Are you sure your friend is just a girl?"

The way Celeste was eagerly waiting, she looked more like a girl in love, waiting for her sweetheart to return.

"You'll see when she gets here. She's a ridiculously beautiful angel, I'm telling you."

Rosemarie nodded. "Alright then. You wait here, I'm going to grab a coffee to wake myself up. By the way, should I get you and your friend a coffee?"

Celeste shook her head. "No thanks."

Caitlin wasn't a fan of coffee; her favorite summer drink was a smoothie.

Celeste used to love coffee, but after becoming friends with Caitlin, she'd developed a taste for smoothies too.

With that, Rosemarie headed toward the coffee shop next door.

Celeste stood under the tree, her eyes scanning the street expectantly.

The coffee shop was nearby. Once they were seated, Rosemarie kept glancing toward the spot where Celeste was sitting.

About ten minutes later, Rosemarie finally saw a figure walking toward Celeste.

She raised an eyebrow. "Is that Celeste's friend? From her profile, she doesn't seem that special."

With that thought, she picked up her coffee cup and walked back outside.

As she got closer, she saw the person talking to Celeste.

"Nothing more, nothing less."

At those words, the curly-haired girl looked up at Celeste, her eyes welling with tears. "Celeste, aren't we best friends?"

"Definitely not! My best friend's name is Caitlin!"

Almost as soon as the words left her mouth, a melodious voice called out from nearby. "Celeste!"

"Catie!" Celeste's face lit up as she ran toward the voice, throwing her arms around Caitlin in a hug. "You're finally here."

She then linked her arm with Caitlin's and walked back over. "Catie, let me introduce you. This is my roommate, Rosemarie."

Then, Celeste turned to her roommate. "And this is my best friend, Caitlin."

Rosemarie just stood there, completely frozen, her eyes wide with utter astonishment.