Chapter 53

After a long day of rehearsal, the weight of exhaustion was starting to settle into my bones. My mind was still buzzing, running through the setlist, choreography, and everything that needed to be fine-tuned before the big night. But the thought of seeing Billie kept me going, her constant presence always grounding me, making everything feel a little bit lighter.

I drove straight to her house, the familiar streets of her neighborhood offering me some comfort. The glow of the streetlights reflected off the windows, and I could already picture the warmth inside, the feeling of being with her after a hectic day.

As I pulled into her driveway, I saw her car parked outside. My heart gave a little flutter, and I parked next to hers, already anticipating the quiet, tender moments that awaited. The door opened as I walked up to the porch, and there she was, standing in the doorway with a soft smile on her lips.

"You're here," she said, her voice light and warm, like she was saying it to herself as much as to me. She stepped aside to let me in, and I didn't waste a second, walking into her arms.

Billie wrapped her arms around me tightly, pulling me close, her chin resting on top of my head. I closed my eyes and let out a contented sigh, the stress from rehearsal melting away the moment I was in her embrace.

"How'd it go?" she murmured, her voice low and gentle.

"It went well. A few things to fine-tune tomorrow, but I feel like it's going to be perfect by the time tomorrow night comes." I pulled back slightly to look up at her, my hands resting on her waist. "I'm just... exhausted, honestly. But I'm so glad to be here with you."

Billie smiled softly, her hand coming up to gently cup my cheek. "You deserve to rest, baby. You've been working so hard. I'm proud of you."

The simple words meant more to me than she could know. I leaned into her touch, my eyes falling closed for a brief moment. It was always easier to breathe when I was with her.

"I'm proud of you, too," I whispered, my voice a little more vulnerable than usual. "I couldn't do any of this without you."

Billie leaned in and kissed my forehead, a soft and tender gesture that made my heart race. "You never have to. I'm always here for you."

I could feel my heart swelling, the weight of everything lifting just from being with her.

After a moment, she took my hand, guiding me into the living room. "Come on. I've got dinner ready, and I figured we could just relax tonight, no pressure."

The sight of her warm, cozy living room instantly made me feel at home. She had candles lit around the room, a few low lights casting a soft glow on the space, and the smell of something delicious wafted from the kitchen.

"You made dinner?" I asked, a teasing smile on my lips. "I'm impressed."

Billie shrugged nonchalantly, but I could see the playful glint in her eyes. "You're about to be impressed even more. I'm a chef in disguise."

I laughed, shaking my head as she led me over to the couch. We sat down, and she handed me a plate filled with what looked like a home-cooked meal. It was a comforting mix of pasta and vegetables-simple but clearly made with care.

"I'll admit, you've got skills," I said between bites. "This is really good."

She grinned, leaning back against the couch. "I told you."

We ate together, talking about the little things-our day, funny stories from the week, anything that could take our minds off the looming concert. For the first time in a while, it felt like we could just breathe. I could feel the exhaustion slowly leaving my body as Billie's presence relaxed me.

When we finished eating, we settled back into the couch, her arm around me, holding me close. I rested my head against her shoulder, the warmth of her body and the quiet of the evening making it easy to let my guard down.

"Tomorrow's going to be a busy day," I said softly, tracing circles on her chest with my finger. "But tonight... I'm glad it's just us."

"Me too," Billie murmured, her hand brushing through my hair. She pressed a kiss to the top of my head and then gently tilted my chin up so I was looking at her. "You're gonna be amazing, Ember. I believe in you."

I smiled at her, feeling a sense of peace settle in my chest. "Thanks, Billie. I love you."

Her eyes softened, and she kissed me lightly on the lips. "I love you, too."

And for a moment, everything felt perfect. I was right where I needed to be-with her.