That’s what she’s always loved about Gemma. From the moment they met during their junior year, she’s always been so earnest. So sincere. While Celeste herself spends most of her time trying not to care, Gemma is the opposite, caring so deeply about everything and everyone.

And that’s exactly why, despite her own rekindled feelings for Gemma, Celeste knows she can’t stay in her ex’s life. Even though Gemma claimed she’s not looking for anything serious, Celeste knows her. The casual relationship thing is most likely a phase, brought on by how badly she was fucked up by her most recent relationship.

It’s only a matter of time before Gemma will want something more serious. And after all she’s been through, she deserves someone who can be one hundred percent sure about her and give her the future, the relationship, she wants. And that’s not Celeste.

Celeste knows all that, but she can’t help but wish she can stretch this week out as long as she can. They now only have three days left of this project. Three days that she wants to enjoy with Gemma to the fullest before they go their separate ways.

Celeste sits up in bed and grabs her phone from the bedside drawer.

A month ago, she’d gotten an email about a short shoot in Sausalito. Since it’s only for a day, and just across the Golden Gate Bridge from where she’s staying, she’d said yes without thinking too much about it. At the time, she had no idea it would be the day before her last shoot for “Modern Love in Focus.”

Compared to the busy hustle and bustle of San Francisco, Sausalito is far quieter and smaller, with picturesque bayside views that end up on postcards. Previously, she’d only thought of it as another work trip. But now, it occurs to her that, if Gemma’s up for it, it can easily be a mini vacation. A little getaway they can go on to celebrate finishing a project they both worked hard on.

With a groan, Gemma stirs by her side. “I passed out again, didn’t I?”

Celeste laughs. “It’s a little past three. Welcome to Thursday.”

Gemma lets out an even louder groan. “I’m fucked. I have to get ready for work in a few hours. What if I can’t go back to sleep?”

“Oh, don’t you worry about that,” Celeste says. She runs a hand down Gemma’s spine, causing the other woman to shudder with pleasure. “I’m sure I can get you sleeping again in no time.”

Gemma laughs and turns over to curiously peer down at Celeste’s phone. “What are you up to? Emails? At this hour?”

“Kind of. Are you doing anything on Friday?”

“Besides work? Not really. Why?”