Let me introduce you to Celeste Evans—because once you meet her, you won’t forget her.

She’s 31, born and bred in Langston Heights, and currently running the show as Chief of Staff to the Mayor. But don’t let the title fool you—she’s not just managing schedules and smoothing over press conferences. Celeste is the engine behind the city’s most powerful office, pulling strings, shaping policy, and cleaning up messes no one else even sees coming. She’s the strategist. The fixer. The woman people turn to when things get messy—and the one they whisper about when she walks away. And she does it all in Valentino heels without breaking a sweat.

You want smart? She’s got spreadsheets for days.

You want poise? She’s all smooth edges and sharp instincts—wrapped in soft locs, high heels, and a smile that rarely gives too much away.

But Celeste isn’t just playing politics. She’s playing for keeps.

I always knew I wanted my leading lady to be ambitious, powerful, and deeply human. Celeste is all of that and more. She’s a Virgo to her core—meticulous, emotionally reserved, and constantly chasing excellence, even when it costs her peace. On the outside, she’s cool-headed and unshakeable. On the inside? She’s a swirl of loyalty, longing, and that voice in her head that won’t let her rest.

And if you’re wondering where she hides the vulnerability? Try behind a red lip, a tight bun, and a pearl necklace passed down from her grandmother. That woman taught her early how to show up for herself—and what it costs when you don’t.

Celeste has lived through betrayal. The kind that makes you overthink, second-guess, and question every decision a million times. The kind that teaches you how to keep your frenemies and your enemies close. But underneath all of that is a heart that still hopes. Still feels. Still wants.

Her nights are often spent with a glass of red wine and Anita Baker on vinyl. Her guilty pleasure? Love Jones. Something about the poetry, the longing, the cigarette smoke curling in the dark—she eats it up every time.

Don’t even mention Love & Basketball around her—it’s basically a horror film in her book. (Play me for your heart? Tuh. Girl, be serious.)

When she needs to unplug, you’ll catch her binge-watching Insecure or Scandal—anything that mixes ambition with mess and a strong woman at the center trying to hold it all together without falling apart.

Growing up, her favorite book? Their Eyes Were Watching God—because sometimes, finding your voice means burning it all down and walking away with your head high. These days? Grown Celeste always has a steamy romance queued up on her Kindle or piping through her headphones. The steamier, the better—because her bed may be empty, but a girl can still dream.

She’s calculating, yes. But she’s also deeply principled. She fights for her community, for policy that actually changes lives. She’s always searching for the win-win—and unlike some, she doesn’t see collaboration as weakness. She’s the kind of woman who stays late to redline a proposal—but don’t mistake her perfectionism for detachment. She cares. Fiercely. Quietly. Strategically. And, probably too much.

And then there’s Malachi Owens.

Let’s just say... he gets under her skin in a way no one else does. He challenges her, calls her out, and somehow still manages to look good doing it. She hates that. She also doesn’t.

I’ll say more about him later. (Trust me, he deserves his own post.)

For now, just know this: Celeste is not your typical romance heroine. She’s layered. She’s flawed. She’s someone I love deeply—and I can’t wait for you to fall for her too.

Crossing Lines at City Hall drops August 19, and the countdown is on. In the meantime, come hang with me on Instagram @chareseinlove for more peeks into the world of Langston Heights and the messy, brilliant characters who live there.

Until next time—

xoxo,

Charese