After lunch, they moved to dessert as August returned with a small plate, placing it in front of her with the same care he'd given the rest of the meal.
"Dessert," he said. "Balanced. Not heavy."
Celine looked down, curious. "You say that like a promise."
"It is," he replied. "I don't serve things that undo the meal."
She took a bite. Paused. Then another, slower this time.
"You controlled the sweetness," she said, thoughtful. "It doesn't overwhelm."
He nodded, satisfied. "It's meant to finish, not distract."
She smiled at that and kept eating, quieter now, focused. When the plate was empty, she set the spoon down and leaned back in her chair, exhaling.
"…Okay," she said. "I might have underestimated you."
He tilted his head. "In what way?"
"I'm officially too full to stand."
That earned a small smile. "Good," he said. "That means the portions were right."
She laughed softly. "You're impossible."
"And you ate everything," he countered.
She glanced at him, warmth in her expression. "I did."
The restaurant stayed quiet, the kind of silence that didn't rush you out as Celine stayed seated, hands resting loosely on her lap, as if she'd forgotten she was meant to leave. August noticed but didn't comment, busy clearing one plate, then another.
After a moment, she spoke, almost casually.
"Will you come tomorrow?"
He paused, turning back to her. "The show?"
She nodded. "If you're free."
He studied her for a second, surprised but not unsettled. "You want me there?"
She shifted slightly in her chair, suddenly shy again. "I mean… you invited me here. You fed me." A small smile curved her lips. "Considering you came out of your way for me, it's only right I do the same too, don't you think?"
August exhaled a quiet laugh, something soft in it. "That's a very convincing argument."
"So that's a yes?" she asked, hopeful but not pushing.
He nodded once. "I'll come."
Her shoulders relaxed instantly, relief flickering across her face. "Good," she said. "I think… I'd like knowing you're there."
He met her gaze, steady. "Then I'll be there."
Celine smiled as she finally pushed her chair back slightly, a small stretch as she exhaled. "I should get back to the office," she said, glancing at her watch. "Got to cover something off before tomorrow."
August nodded, calm and steady. "Of course. Don't let me keep you."
She gathered her things, slipping on her coat. "Thanks for lunch," she said softly, a faint smile lingering. "It was… exactly what I needed."
He met her gaze, letting the moment hang for just a beat. "I'm glad."
Celine leaned slightly toward him. "See you at home?"
He gave a small, easy nod. "Definitely."
She smiled, genuine but still shy, and walked toward the door, the quiet confidence of the lunch still with her.
Outside, the city was moving fast, the air crisp. Inside, August watched her go, the faint scent of herbs and warmth still clinging to the table, and to him.
Tomorrow would be the big day. But for now… this calm, this pause, had been enough.
***
Nolan Celine EX POV:
Nolan watched the teaser in silence, phone balanced loosely in his hand.
The fabric moved with a confident sway, sharp tailoring cutting through the frame. Chanel's name followed, subtle but unmistakable.
Celine.
A slow, cold smile spread across his face, not warm, not amused, just precise.
"She's really done it," he murmured, almost to himself.
The comments were already flooding in: praise, admiration, anticipation. People calling her brilliant, visionary, untouchable. He scrolled lazily, eyes narrowing, lips pressed into a thin line.
"Not for long," he whispered, low and measured.
He set the phone down, fingers tapping the table softly, a quiet rhythm that felt almost like a heartbeat.
The teaser had done exactly what he expected, it got attention. And attention could be used. Attention could be twisted. Attention could open doors.
He leaned back in his chair, cold and calm, letting the smile linger just enough to unsettle anyone who might guess what was brewing behind it.
But no one knew. Not yet.