Chapter 18 Celeste thought Dominic would call her soon . But several days passed without a single message . [ ] Even Adrian rarely texted her . ] ] Not until the morning did Celeste receive a call from Adrian . ] " Do you like firework shows ? " ] Celeste paused , then remembered there was a molten iron firework performance scheduled at the lake by the mall tonight . ] That evening , Adrian came downstairs to pick her up . The area near the mall was jammed with cars , so he didn't drive . They walked to the mall hand in hand . [ ] Autumn was slowly settling over the capital . The evening breeze on Celeste's face brought a rare sense of ease . [] She asked , " You've never been interested in these things before . " " You would like it ." Adrian said . " Sorry I've been busy at the lab these past few days . Didn't have time to spend with you . " te said , " Because of Victor ? " Celeste "Yeah , took on some extra projects . " Adrian said , " Mom and Dad sent him to the military . This is the last time I'll deal with his messes . " [ ] Celeste sighed . " Such brotherly devotion ? If he were my brother , I'd let him sink or swim . He's lucky to have a sucker like you for a brother . " ]] Adrian looked down at her . Celeste laughed quietly . Adrian didn't understand why she was laughing , but seeing her happy made him happy . He smiled too . " I've never heard you mention your family . This is the first time . " ] " Really ? " Celeste hadn't thought about it . She didn't mention her family simply because she didn't want to remember . [ ] She said , " You never asked . " |[ ] " I thought you'd only talk about them with people you're closest to . " Adrian said . [ ] Celeste looked at him and smiled . " Mr. Ashford ? Are we not close enough yet ? " She raised their joined hands playfully , then stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek . " Is that close enough ? " ]] Adrian thought about it , then shook his head . " Not enough . " [ ] Celeste froze . The next moment , Adrian lowered his head and kissed her lips . This is dose enough . " Celeste couldn't believe it . " Adrian , who taught you that ? " Adrian smiled and pulled her hand , quickening his pace . " It's about to start . " [ ] The iron firework show was free , held at the lake in front of the mall . To get a good view , people had been waiting early . By the time Celeste and Adrian arrived , the entire plaza was packed . [ ] Looking up , all they could see were the backs of other people's heads . Not a spark visible [ ] They decided not to bother squeezing through . Instead , they sat on a bench nearby , listening to the excited cheers from the crowd . Somehow , Celeste suddenly imagined decades from now . Maybe she and Adrian would be sitting on this same bench , watching crowds surge by . She'd be leaning on Adrian's shoulder just like now . The streetlights would stretch their shadows long and thin ] ] So peaceful . So calm . Celeste felt as if happiness itself filled the bubbles in her chest . [ ] Shed always longed for a quiet life Sugar Hildy 307 Noti Got a fish and a Nerd Wins Actually Rovers Me Chapter 18 Celeste said softly , " Adrian , how long do you think I'll live ? " ] Adrian said , " Average life expectancy for Americans is 77 years . " ] Celeste sighed . " But I want to live like this for much longer . Want to spend many more years with you . " [ ] Adrian said gently , " You can have mine . " Celeste laughed and swatted him . " Are you an idiot ? Who wants your lifespan ? If you die , who's going to be with me ? " ] Adrian smiled too . The soft streetlights filtered through the trees , swaying with the evening breeze , dappling shadows across Adrian's face . His eyes were so calm , like the deep blue sea . [] Celeste's heart started racing beyond her control . She looked at Adrian . Adrian looked back at her . ] They drew closer and closer , until Celeste could smell the pine scent that belonged uniquely to Adrian . [ ] She closed her eyes . Just as their lips were about to meet , her phone rang . Celeste jolted back to awareness . She opened her phone to see three characters flashing on the screen : [ ] " Dominic Ashford . " [ ] T