“Several representatives from Citrine will be present, and it will be a nice chance for you two to network and sell them on the cover story, since we’ll be finalizing that decision in a few weeks.”

I freeze. For as long as I’ve been at Horizon, the office NYE party has always been James’s and my thing, since we went together for the last seven years. I’d been too busy dealing with my clusterfuck of a personal life to even think about this year’s, but now, I panic. New Year’s Eve is in less than two weeks. James is probably going to be there with Daphne. And Evelyn specifically wants me to go to the party with Celeste.

“Of course, I can’t force you to do anything,” Evelyn continues when I don’t respond. “But take some time to think about it. It’s a great opportunity!”

“I’m not sure if it’d be a good idea for us to come to the party,” I say at last. “But I’ll ask Celeste.”

I’m still thinking about the sheer ridiculous notion of inviting my college ex to the end-of-year party when I enter the studio on Saturday morning. I’m late, so I expect to see the Amatos waiting for me with Celeste. But only Celeste is there, typing away at a large Mac desktop in the corner of the studio. I didn’t even realize there was a computer in this space until now.

“This part’s usually sectioned off,” Celeste says when she sees my confused expression. As I watch, she pulls on the tall curtains at the edge of the room. Sure enough, when they’re spread out again, I see the studio space I’d grown accustomed to in the last couple of weeks.

“The Amatos called,” she goes on. “They’re running late because their babysitter canceled on them last minute. I told them they could bring the kids. Hope that’s okay.”

I balk, looking around at all the expensive equipment in the rented studio. “Are you sure?”

She nods. “Yup, I’m good with kids. They can play on the couch while we interview their parents.”

I notice only then that she’s moved the couch behind the cameras, replacing it with two chairs from the dining table.

As we wait for the Amatos to arrive, I remember a conversation we had back in college, when Celeste told me she’s the oldest cousin on both sides of her family.

“All my aunts and uncles used me as a babysitter,” she’d said with a laugh. “And I never minded, since I loved kids. Still do, actually.”