Two Can Play (Celeste and Dominic) novel Chapter 379

Chapter 379

“Wait until you see the bathroom.”

“I am not going to survive this. She clutched her chest. “I am going to walk in there and simply expire from envy.”

I laughed and helped her out of the car, and she walked through the front door like a woman in a cathedral, her head tilted back, her eyes wide.

“Dominic did all this?” she whispered.

“He has good taste.”

“Good taste?” She turned to face me, incredulous. “Celeste, this place is ridiculous. The marble alone could fund a small country. You are so lucky. I mean it. You are the luckiest woman I have ever met.”

I smiled, and something warm bloomed in my chest. “I know.”

Pat settled into the guest room, and I left her resting on the couch with a blanket while I went to the kitchen. I wanted to cook something nourishing for her myself, something warm and safe and full of care. I made a light soup with chicken and vegetables, the kind of thing my mother used to make when I was sick, and the familiar rhythm of chopping and stirring settled my nerves as much as it would settle hers. 1

When I was done, I set the dining table and walked back to call her, but I stopped at the doorway. Pat was on the phone, listening, her face pinched with annoyance, and even from across the room I could tell the call was unpleasant.

“Okay. Got it.” She hung up and stared at the phone for a moment.

“Everything alright?” I stepped into the room.

Pat let out a breath. “I forgot it was my sister’s birthday tomorrow

“Vivian?”

She nodded. “My mother just called to give me an earful for not being as wonderful as my younger sister, and to remind me not to miss the birthday party.”

“Thank you, Celeste.” Her voice was thick with sleep. “For everything.”

“Sleep, Pat.”

She was asleep within minutes, and I stood in the doorway watching her for a while, the rise and fall of her chest under the blanket, the peaceful slack of her face. Then I turned and walked to my own room, closed the door, and picked up my phone.

I scrolled through my contacts, found the name, and dialed.

The line rang twice before a voice answered, cautious and surprised. “Celeste?”

“Hi, Kingsley. This is indeed Celeste speaking.” 1

“I know.” He sounded off balance. “I was just surprised to see your name. What can I do for you?”

“I need to speak to you about something very important.” 7