Celine tucked her sketchpad into her tote, slipped on her sneakers, and pulled the hood of her oversized sweatshirt over her head. August had mentioned a shop just down the road, a quiet little boutique that sold everything from basics to high-end pieces.
It should be okay, she thought. A quick outing. Nothing dramatic.
The air had a bite to it. Winter hadn't arrived fully, but it was near, she could feel it brushing her skin, making her wish she'd layered up a bit more. The streets were calm, a mix of fallen leaves and early shoppers bundled in scarves and boots.
She slipped into the boutique unnoticed. The bell above the door jingled gently as warmth enveloped her. The store smelled like cinnamon and clean fabric. She ran her fingers along soft knitwear, her mind half on fashion, half on survival. She needed a coat. Maybe gloves. And toothpaste.
She chuckled quietly to herself. From penthouse luxury to debating between wool and faux fur. Life really knew how to humble you.
She moved through the aisles slowly, letting her fingers brush textures, soft cashmere, chunky knits, lined jackets. The boutique wasn't crowded, just a few quiet shoppers and a mellow playlist humming in the background. It was… peaceful.
Celine picked out a long beige coat that fell just below the knee, sleek and timeless. She draped it over her arm, then added a set of leather gloves and a neutral scarf. No statement pieces today. Just comfort.
As she neared the checkout, her eyes caught a simple, structured black dress hanging near the wall. Classic. Powerful. The kind of dress that said I'm still standing. She added it to her pile without a second thought.
"Big day?" the shop attendant asked politely, scanning the items.
Celine smiled faintly. "Something like that."
She paid in cash, less traceable, she reminded herself, and stepped out with her bag in hand, the wind tugging lightly at her sweatshirt. She pulled the coat on immediately, wrapping the scarf around her neck as she turned back toward the house.
Something about buying her own clothes, in her own time, in silence... made her feel like she was reclaiming something. Small, but hers.
Celine crossed the street with her bags in hand, then paused outside a brightly colored shop with cartoon characters painted across the glass Little Larks. A children's boutique. She sighed.
"If I'm going to survive my stay, I better win over that little tyrant," she muttered under her breath, thinking of Liam's icy glares and the way he narrowed his eyes at her like a tiny, suspicious landlord.
Inside, the store smelled of vanilla and plastic toys. She wandered through shelves of picture books, stuffed animals, mini hoodies with dinosaurs, and tiny sneakers.
A soft, green hoodie with dragon wings caught her attention.
"This is kind of cute," she murmured, holding it up. She imagined Liam rolling his eyes and saying something sassy, but maybe, just maybe, he'd secretly love it.
She added a puzzle set, a mini chef apron "Future Chef" printed on it, and a picture book about pirates. After a second thought, she grabbed some dinosaur stickers too.
At checkout, the cashier smiled. "Someone's got a lucky kid."
Celine gave a small smirk. "We'll see."
Bags in hand, Celine stepped out of the shop, the crisp air nipping at her cheeks. The sun was soft, filtered through the gray stretch of nearing-winter clouds. She pulled her sweatshirt tighter, the dragon-wing hoodie peeking from the top of her shopping bag.
She felt...oddly lighter.
Crossing the street again, she made her way back to August's place, sneakers crunching softly on fallen leaves. When she reached the door, she paused, her heart doing an unfamiliar skip.
It wasn't her home.
Yet it was the safest she had felt in a while.
She let herself in quietly, hoping Liam was either napping or preoccupied with cartoons. But the sound of pots clinking hinted at August being in the kitchen.
Perfect.
She tiptoed down the hallway and spotted Liam on the couch, building a block tower, tongue poked slightly out in concentration.
Without saying a word, she placed the bag of goodies beside him and backed away.
His eyes flicked to the bag.
Then to her.
Celine raised her brows innocently.
He opened it cautiously.
Pulled out the dragon hoodie.
Paused.
"Is this supposed to be a bribe?" he asked flatly.
She smirked. "Call it a peace offering."
He stared for a beat longer before muttering, "It's not ugly."
Progress.
Liam pulled the hoodie out slowly, inspecting the wings stitched onto the back, the tiny scales embroidered along the sleeves. His fingers ran over the details like he was trying not to be impressed, but he was.
"Do the wings flap?" he asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously.
Celine chuckled. "No, but if you run fast enough, they might."
That earned a twitch of a smile. A real one.
He stood, dragging the hoodie over his head. It was a little big, but that just made him look smaller inside it, like a little dragon trying to act tough. He spun once, the wings fluttering behind him as he turned to her.
"You're still weird," he declared.
Celine placed a hand over her chest dramatically. "I'll take that as a compliment."
August stepped out from the kitchen, drying his hands with a towel. He paused at the sight of Liam wearing the hoodie and Celine looking far too smug about it.
"I leave you alone for one hour and you win him over?" he said, amused.
Celine winked. "Told you I'm good with dragons."
Liam scoffed and flopped back on the couch, trying, and failing, to hide the smile growing on his face.
August shook his head, the corner of his mouth twitching. "He doesn't even let me pick his socks, and now he's wearing wings."
"I'm a dragon," Liam corrected, voice muffled into the couch.
"Yes, yes, my mistake," August said, walking over. "A terrifying little dragon."
Liam giggled, then quickly straightened up, schooling his face like he hadn't. Celine caught the shift and bit her lip to hide a grin. She sat beside him and whispered, "I got you matching socks too, you know. Fire-breathing ones."
He perked up. "Really?"
She nodded. "But only cool dragons get them."
Liam stood dramatically and struck a pose. "I'm the coolest dragon in the kingdom."
Celine gave a slow clap, looking at August. "I think we have a winner."
August leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching them both, the strange calm that had settled over his usually guarded son, the ease in Celine's voice as if she belonged here. Like she wasn't still healing. Like they all weren't still figuring things out.
"Lunch's in twenty. Dragon-approved."
Liam darted into the hallway, already calling dibs on the biggest piece of chicken, and August looked at Celine again. "Seriously… thanks for whatever this is you're doing."
Celine smiled softly. "Just… trying to breathe again."
Just as Celine was setting the last of the shopping bags down, the front door burst open without warning.
"Tell me you didn't start lunch without me, you traitorous bastard!"
August looked up from the stove, exhaling in amusement. "You're early."
Julian strode in like he owned the place, tall, lean, with a leather jacket slung over one shoulder and sunglasses he didn't bother removing even indoors. He carried the air of someone who knew how to make an entrance and milk it for every second.
Liam, who'd been playing with his new puzzle, jumped up instantly.
"UNCLE JULIAN!"
"Little beast!" Julian grinned, swooping the boy up and spinning him in a circle. "Did you miss me?"
Liam giggled. "I want ice cream!"
"You and me both."
August shook his head. "He's been asking about you all morning."
Julian placed Liam on the counter like a prince returning from war. "Of course he has. I'm his favorite."
Then, like a predator finally noticing the change in the room, his gaze shifted, and locked onto Celine.
She had stood up instinctively, expression guarded but polite.
Julian gave a lazy, dramatic once-over, then smirked.
"And who, might I ask, is this stunning vision in my best friend's house?" he said, tone theatrical, but not without charm.
"I'm Celine," she said, folding her arms. "I'm staying here. For now."
Julian raised a brow, then turned slowly to August, mock betrayal etched across his face.
"You finally let a woman stay the night and you don't tell me? I'm hurt."
Celine chuckled under her breath, shaking her head. "Is he always like this?"
"Unfortunately," August said, tossing a dish towel at him. "She's a guest. Be nice."
Julian caught the towel mid-air, grinning. "Nice is boring. But I'll behave, for now."
Liam tugged at his arm. "Can I have ice cream now?"
Julian ruffled his hair. "Let's eat lunch first, Your Majesty. Then we talk negotiations."
Celine watched the whole scene unfold, the effortless chaos of it all, and for the first time in a while, she smiled and meant it.
They sat around the wooden table, the warm midday light casting gentle shadows over plates of food. Julian leaned back with that familiar grin, eyes flicking between Celine and August as he took a slow bite.
"So, Celine, what exactly do you do? And, are you single?"
Celine took a small bite of her salad, chewing thoughtfully before answering honestly, "I'm a designer. And yes, I'm single."
Julian smirked, satisfied. "Designer, huh? Makes sense. You've got style. And good to know you're single, August needs less complications."
August rolled his eyes but grinned. "You're impossible, Julian."
Julian laughed. "Just making sure the new woman in town isn't going to stir up trouble."
Celine raised an eyebrow, amused by Julian's boldness. "And what about you? What keeps you so interested in August's love life?"
Julian laughed, the sound warm but mischievous. "Let's just say, I'm protective of my best friend. Can't have him distracted by the wrong person."
August groaned again, rubbing his temples. "You guys are unbelievable."
Liam, oblivious to the tension, tugged at Julian's hand, eager for that promised ice cream.
Julian winked at Celine. "Don't worry, I'm just making sure you're not trouble. So far, you seem alright."
Celine smiled, feeling a little victorious. The ice was broken.