"I haven't told Maman!" She gasps. Pulling out her phone, she taps her foot, then grins. "Maman, I won!" Another long pause as Celine's smile softens. "Thank you. I wish you were here too, Maman. How are you?" Rene checks his own messages as she talks to her mom. Then Celine sighs. She has a smile that Rene's never seen. Soft, but he'd love to keep it on her face. "Winning felt like ... likeeverything coalescing. It felt right and .... I don't know. I sound stupid." "You sound honest." Rene leans towards her. "And in love." "I got to sing when I was sure that I was going to vomit." She laughs. "It's definitely a trade up." "You're an angel, Celine. You are going to make a splash anywhere and you are going togo far." She blushes and shakes her head. "Maybe." "You will. If you don't, then I'm the worst manager in the world." "Impossible. You're excellent ... you're the reason I was able to get up there." "No. The reason you were able to get up there is because your mom is terrifying and if I would have let you quit, it's my ass she would have had." Rene chuckles. Celine laughs and shakes her head. They keep joking and laughing for a while. Then Rene looks at the time and exhales slowly. It's already nearing midnight. Celine bites her lip. "What was your favorite part of the night, Rene?" "Dancing with you." There's no hesitation.
