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“Yeah.”
I ponder for a few instants, knowing perfectly well he can’t come inside, no. It’s too dangerous with Mom around. “I think it’s best I come out. Wait for me there.”
After hanging up, I get dressed quickly, shutting my door as quietly as possible behind me, and make my way down the stairs. To my annoyance, as I’m about to cross the foyer, the butler intercepts me. “Miss Julia, may I ask where you’re going?”
“I’m just stepping outside for a bit,” I reply, trying to sound nonchalant, as if he isn’t going to repeat to my mother what I’m doing at the first chance anyway.
“Shall I accompany you, Miss?”
“No need,” I reply immediately, making my way to the front door. “I will be right back.”
Once outside the gates, I see Sebastian standing next to his car, leaning on the vehicle with his hands shoved in his pockets. He gives me a small smile, and I can’t help but feel a flicker of warmth in my chest. Despite everything, he still has the power to give me butterflies and lift the veil of sadness, if only for a little while. Instinctively as I approach him, he pulls me into a deep hug, wrapping his arms around me. The warmth of his body comforts me and soothes my racing heart.
I notice how deep and sincere this hug feels, and after a few more instants, I lean back, trying to search for his gaze as I ask him, “What’s going on?”
Without answering, he grabs my hand and invites me into his car. I climb into the passenger seat when he opens the door for me, and as soon as he’s in and we’re completely in private, I take his hand on mine forcing his attention back on me and repeat the question. “Seb, what’s going on?”
He inhales slowly before responding, while I keep his hand in mine. His skin is warm, but there is the slightest tremor in his grip, and it breaks my heart. “Nothing. Everything.”
My heart sinks at his words, knowing how deeply troubled he must be. I give his hand a gentle squeeze, letting him know I’m here for him. “What happened?” I press softly.
A gasp of air expels from his lungs, his eyes flicking back to mine. “I can’t tell you everything yet, Julia, but having you here is helping.”
Giving me a reassuring smile, he strokes my knuckles softly, leaving me to wish we could spend the whole night here. Yet, at any moment, Mom is going to find out what’s going on and it’s going to be a mess. “I’m here for you, Seb, but I only have a few minutes. I wish you’d have called earlier…”
Sebastian looks crestfallen, and I can tell that he’s been struggling with something for a while. Something different than the family deaths. I wish we were anywhere else, somewhere that I could hold him like I really want to.
“Do you like me, Julia?” he asks suddenly, his voice hesitant.
I feel my cheeks flush as I process his question. “Hm? What do you mean?”
Sebastian clears his throat, looking embarrassed, and repeats his question, “Like do you enjoy my company despite our age gap?”
After a moment of hesitation, I answer honestly. “I do, yes. Very much so…and you?”
Sebastian’s expression softens at my response, but then his tone turns serious. “I... I do too, but my dad isn’t too happy about it.”
I roll my eyes and chuckle. The cliché is the woman’s dad being overprotective, but here we are with the tables turned. Sebastian’s dad might be hesitant, but at least he’s present. Mine isn’t even around. “Well, if that makes you feel any better, my dad has no idea of your existence, so we’re zero for two on the dad front.”
Sebastian hums. “Don’t you ever call him?”
I haven’t made the effort to call my father in a long time, mostly because he has never made the effort to call me, either. It hurts, but we weren’t close, even when he and Mom were together. “Sometimes, but Mom would be quite furious if she knew I was talking to him. Better to not complicate things by bringing you into the conversation, as well.”
He seems to think things over before speaking again, and if I didn’t know better, I would think that he’s having a difficult time saying the words. “Speaking of your mother, does she know about us? I mean, does she know we’re more than friends?”
It’s a difficult question. Does she know? Yes. Does she approve even the tiniest bit? Hell no. “To a certain extent…” I say, my voice trailing off. I reach for the controls for the heated seats, trying to distract myself from the conversation.
But then he presses me for more information, and I find myself opening up to him. I tell him about how my mother knows about us, but she’s not exactly thrilled. The surprise on his face is evident, and I feel a mix of relief and anxiety at his reaction.
“I assume she already hates me, then,” he jokes, but I know that there’s a part of him that’s serious.
“You assume correctly,” I say with a sad smile, but then I lean in closer to him, wanting to end these pointless, frustrating, negative conversations about our parents. Sebastian inhales sharply as I move into his personal space, his pupils widening. “But that doesn’t mean I give a damn about it.”
As our eyes meet, I can feel a spark of desire flicker between us. His touch on my cheek sends shivers down my spine. I want nothing more than to feel his lips on mine, but he pulls back and speaks.
“I want to meet your parents before going any further,” he demands, and I can’t help but be surprised.
My eyes widen at his words and I find myself struggling to form a proper sentence. “Are you serious?”
