Page 85 of Bid For Me

Dinner tomorrow? Wint is cooking, but I’ll make sure he saves you some.

Can’t. Alexander’s got me trapped in ‘wedding duty’.

Her reply comes with an eye-roll emoji.

Candy

Poor you. Want me to come rescue you?

I laugh softly, shaking my head.

Nah. Seb’s actually being...nice. Shockingly nice.

There’s a pause before her next message comes through.

Candy

Do I sense a thaw in the ice queen’s heart? ;)

Absolutely not.

Even as I type the words, I know they’re not entirely true. Seb’s gesture with the books, his thoughtfulness – it’s hard not to feel something, no matter how much I try to fight it.

Candy

Sure, babe. Keep telling yourself that.

I toss my phone onto the couch with a huff and sink deeper into my novel, but in the back of my mind, I’m wondering where Seb might be.

The following morning, I wake to find Seb standing by the door, looking freshly showered and unreasonably handsome in his crisp white shirt and dark trousers.

“Morning,” he says, holding out a small brown paper bag.

“What’s this?” I ask, narrowing my eyes suspiciously.

“Breakfast. Thought you’d like a change from the usual.”

I get out of bed and walk towards him. Taking the bag from him, I glance inside it and find a still-warm croissant and a small jar of cherry preserve. My heart does a ridiculous little flip, and I fail to keep my face neutral.

“Thank you,” I say, stepping aside.

As I set the bag on the coffee table, Seb leans casually against the doorframe, watching me. “Any plans today?”

I shrug. “Just the usual wedding stuff your father has lined up. Why?”

His lips curve into a small smile. “How about we ditch it? Take the day off?”

I blink, caught off guard. “You want to skip wedding planning? With the wedding only two days away?”

“Absolutely. One day won’t kill anyone,” he says, his tone light but with a hint of determination. “What do you say?”

For a moment, I hesitate. The thought of abandoning Alexander’s meticulously laid plans feels rebellious – and exhilarating.

“Alright,” I say finally. “Let’s do it.”

Seb’s grin widens, and it’s so genuine that I can’t help but smile back.

“Great,” he says. “Go get ready. I’ll take care of the rest.”

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