"She leaned on his shoulder like it was nothing. But to him, it meant everything."
People were starting to leave. The heat of the party faded with the crowd, replaced by the cool quiet of a city past midnight. Friends said quick goodbyes, scattered into sleek cars and sparkling heels.
Jett leaned toward Nolan, his voice low and casual with just a hint of mischief. "I'm heading out. You take her home."
He gave a lazy wave and disappeared before either could protest.
Celeste wasn't surprised.
She watched him go, lips curving into a faint smile. She could guess exactly where he was off to—probably whisked away by some girl who'd been eying him all night. After all, who could resist a boy with money, a car, and family power to spare?
Outside the Soirée, the wind bit colder. Streetlights shimmered against polished metal. A few luxury cars were parked just ahead, silent and waiting like wolves in the dark.
Celeste and Nolan stepped out together, rounding a column—and there he was again.
JETT.
Leaning against a pillar in the lot, his arms wrapped around a girl in a glittering silver top. Long black hair spilled over her bare shoulders. They were kissing. Close. Intimate. Oblivious to the world.
Celeste stopped.
A headache pulsed behind her eyes. "…Again?" she muttered, rubbing her temple.
"Let's go," Nolan said gently, not even glancing twice. "He's busy. I'll take you home."
At the corner, a black Bentley waited, engine purring. The driver stepped out, opened the door with practiced precision.
Nolan blocked the wind with one hand and guided her in with the other. His palm was warm. Steady. The touch wasn't forceful—just enough to pull her away from the kind of mess she didn't need to see.
Inside, the car was a pocket of warmth. Celeste stretched out with a soft sigh, letting the heater melt the cold from her fingers and knees.
She glanced at the driver, eyes narrowing playfully. "Hey… isn't that Ah Mai?"
"Your car has the best heater I've ever felt," she sighed dramatically.
From the front, Ah Mai handed back two cups of hot tea.
"Thanks," she said, surprised but touched. "You're really good at this whole gentleman thing."
Then Nolan reached for something else—a soft, gray-blue Hermes blanket.
"Can I cover your pretty knees and gorgeous legs?" he asked, tone warm, teasing.
She lit up. "Wait, is that an Hermes blanket? You're just casually using it as a car throw?"
He chuckled and tucked it over her legs. The motion was gentle, familiar. Like this was something he'd done a hundred times before.
The car rolled through the sleeping city, headlights casting gold on quiet pavement. Inside, it was silent enough that even the engine sounded hushed.
Celeste looked out at the blur of streetlamps, eyelids drifting shut. The earlier tension from Jett's scene faded.
Then, without meaning to, she leaned sideways.
Her head came to rest on Nolan's shoulder.
It was light. Barely there. But it held something softer than sleep.
Nolan didn't move. He only tilted his head slightly, catching the scent of her hair. A few strands slid beneath his collar, brushing his neck.
Her breath was slow. Calm.
"Your shoulder is warm," she mumbled, half-asleep. "So comfortable…"
He blinked, caught between a laugh and a sigh. Did she say warm? Or soft?
"Thanks for the compliment," he murmured. "Glad to be your personal pillow."
A beat passed.
"Next week…" he added softly. "Can I come pick you up for Jett's family dinner?"
No answer.
She was asleep.
The Bentley slowed to a stop outside her house. Celeste stirred as the motion stilled.
Ah Mai, watching through the rearview, widened his eyes—tonight's stop was sharper than usual. Oops.
Nolan stepped out, opened her door.
She slid out with a stretch, then turned and smiled. "Ah Mai. Thought it was you. I was guessing while I had my eyes closed."
Then to Nolan, with a wink: "Thanks for letting me go full chaos today."
He wanted to ask again about the dinner. But instead, he just smiled.
"Goodnight."
She took a few steps, then spun on her heel.
"Next week," she called. "Bring the red BMW to pick me up, okay?"
He blinked, then laughed. "Got it."
She waved and disappeared inside. The porch light flicked on. Then another. And finally, the last light settled.
He didn't leave until they did.
Back in the Bentley, Ah Mai peeked over. "Sorry about earlier, Mr.B… the stop was a little rough."
Nolan glanced at his phone. A new text: Goodnight :)
He smiled.
"No," he said, eyes still on the screen. "Your timing was perfect."
"Really?"
Nolan looked up, grin lazy and a little proud. "Yeah. You nailed it. Pick yourself a New Year gift."
Ah Mai blinked. Then nodded furiously. "Mr. B, you really had me scared for a second…"
He wasn't sure what just happened. One moment he thought he was getting fired—next thing he knew, he was offered a New Year bonus.
But one thing was clear:
Mr. B rarely smiled like that. But tonight, he did.
——————————————————————————————————
She told herself she was just tired.But deep down, she knew—she could fall for someone like this.