Page 75 of The Bitter Rival

Bas leads Austin toward the kitchen island and spreads his arms wide to demonstrate the display of food choices like Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune. “We’ll eat at the table, but I’ve got everything here warming up. There’s cheese fondue to start and chocolate fondue to end.”

Austin notices the large bowl of melty cheese, and his eyes spring wide. “What’s fondue?”

“Only the best thing ever invented.” Sebastian picks up a metal skewer, stabs a piece of crusty bread with it, then gently dips it into the cheese and hands it to Austin.

Austin looks at it briefly and then pops it into his mouth. “I like fondue,” he quickly utters with a mouth full of cheesy bread.

Sebastian is wearing a proud smile, and I just shake my head. “Please tell me you have a salad to go with it, at least.”

“Why would I go and ruin dinner with that? I have some fruit slices and vegetables we can dip in the cheese, bud. We don’t need no stinkin’ salad.” Sebastian’s got a grin the size of Texas on his face as he speaks to my cheese-loving son.

Austin’s face lights up, the twinkling in his eyes, giving away his joy. That Sebastian would go out of his way to find something he knew would please him is the best gift anyone could give me.

Sebastian gives us a brief tour of his place. It’s like a luxury resort. The pool and jacuzzi out back are worthy of a magazine cover. The gourmet kitchen, the home gym, and lavish furnishings… it’s otherworldly to think people live like this every day. Returning to the kitchen, he reaches for a bottle of red wine and pours a glass, handing it to me. “I think you’ll like this one, GG.”

“Her name is Isabella. Why do you call her GG?”

“It’s just a nickname.”

“What does it mean?”

I inwardly groan. This is so awkward.

“She’s a generous girl, Austin,” he says without missing a beat. “She does nice things for people and makes them happy,” he says, appearing sincere. I can’t speak. My heart is so full. I need to face it. I’m falling hard for this man. I’ve never been happier. I take a sip of wine to try to distract my whirling emotions.

“Sit down, and I’ll bring everything over,” he directs to both of us.

Austin and I take a seat, and I watch as Boomerang sits quietly beside Austin. He carefully reaches over, patting the dog’s head.

We spend the next hour laughing, devouring our food, and enjoying all this night has to offer. I keep hearing an odd sound beneath the table and look down to see Boomerang licking at Austin’s hand. Sebastian catches on and looks down at Boom, who is sitting between the two of them. I can hear the dog licking his lips.

“Don’t feed the dog from the table, Austin. I don’t want him to start begging.”

“I’m not.”

Sebastian looks back down and laughs, prompting me to do the same. Austin has a few droplets of cheese on his pants. The temptation is more than this sweet dog can handle.

“I like Boomerang,” Austin says between two cheesy morsels.

“Well, I think you’re his new best friend,” Bas belts out. Sebastian stands, grabs the cheese and chocolate fondue pots from the table, and makes his way to the kitchen sink.

I have to stifle a laugh. Austin looks defeated. The best meal of his life is coming to a close.

“This special occasion calls for two desserts,” Sebastian hails as he lowers a plate of something almost unrecognizable onto the table.

Austin and I blink slowly, staring at the dessert in front of us. It looks like the cupcakes my son decorated as a child. The vanilla cake has crumbled into the icing, which is covered in haphazard candy sprinkles.

“My first time,” Bas says, looking embarrassed. “Clearly, you need to make all of the cakes from now on, but this party deserved cake.”

Instantly, my mind harkens back to the conversation on the dance floor where Sebastian shared why he didn’t enjoy birthdays. That his mother never made the effort to make them personal. She didn’t take the time to make him feel special. My eyes begin to fill with unshed tears, and I have to cover my mouth to prevent crying out. This man truly cares for me. There isn’t a doubt in my mind. It’s as clear as the ugly cupcakes on that plate.

“Don’t cry, Mom. I bet they still taste good.”

Sebastian and I break out laughing, and I encourage Austin to pick his favorite. I try to eat my misshapen cupcake without becoming emotional, but it’s difficult. Looking across the table at these two beautiful men covered in sprinkles and icing, a dog named Boomerang sitting in wait, my cup runneth over.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

Sebastian

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