Page 105 of The Flirty Forward

He takes a breath and then blows it out, dejected. “No.” The guys around the table bust up, and I try not to...but the expression on his face is too funny not to laugh. “Go ahead; laugh it up,” he grumbles. At least I’ve been on a date in this century,” he says with a pointed look at Gunner. Gunner just scowls at him.

“You guys are so nice. Maybe you just need to be set up with a nice girl,” Brielle says, leaning forward excitedly in her chair. “What if I—”

“No,” Rico and Gunner say in unison.

Bri blinks. “I didn’t even get to finish what I was going to say.” Sebastian takes a drink of his water; I’m pretty sure he’s doing that so he doesn’t laugh. Even Aiden is smirking. She sits back in her chair. “Maybe you should just have Sebastian ask some girls for you; he’s dated half the female population in our state.”

Sebastian chokes on his water, and the guys razz him. He puts an arm around me and pulls me close. “Don’t believe anything they say.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of your exploits, Sebastian Hart,” I tell him. The guys laugh, and Bri joins in. I can’t keep the smile off my face.

“Baby, those were just for show; I told you that. Don't believe anything else,” he implores.

I just shake my head. “You’re a mess.”

Rico reaches over and pulls on his ear; Sebastian returns the favor with a smack to the back of his head. Gunner gives them a look. “Can we really not take you two anywhere?”

“I’ll keep him in line, Captain,” I say, taking Sebastian’s hands in mine. I elbow him. “Behave.”

He turns towards me and leans close to my ear. “What will you give me if I do?” He leans back just slightly, so our eyes meet. I can’t help but smile, and then I give him the look. You know—the kind of look you give a guy when you want them toknow that you’re really into them. Maybe I just made that up? I don’t know. All I know is I want him to know that I think he’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met. His grin turns tender, and he wraps a hair around his finger. “When you look at me like that, I think maybe it’s possible to move mountains,” he whispers.

“Annnd, we lost them,” Rico says from right next to me. Sebastian grins and pats my leg and then leaves his hand there. I’m not sure if he has any idea how it makes me feel welcome and wanted here at this table in his world with his teammates.

I glance up towards the stage. I can tell they’re getting ready with the presentation, and I decide I cannot wait any longer to go to the bathroom. I lean close to Sebastian. “I need to run to the restroom; I’ll be right back.” He looks like he’s going to stand up, but I stop him. “I’ll be fine; I’ll be right back.” I glance over at Bri, but she’s frowning at her phone. So I slip away quickly, wanting to go and get back.

Chapter 41

Sebastian

I watch Stephanie go. Several guys eye her as she walks past, and irritation rears up in me. She has no idea how beautiful she is. “You’re a goner.” I turn at Rico’s words and can’t keep the smile off my face.

“I am.”

He gives me a genuine smile. “I’m happy for you, Man.”

I try to tear my attention away from my girl to focus on my friend. “What about you? I know we were razzing you, but there’s seriously nobody in your life?”

His face takes on an expression that I can only describe as wistful. I recognize it because I’m pretty sure it’s the same expression on my face every time Stephanie’s around...and maybe even when she’s not. "Who is she?” I ask.

He shakes his head, his easy smile back in place. “Nobody.” I know there’s more to it than that, but I’m not going to push him. He’ll tell us when he’s ready.

“Where did Stephanie go?” Bri asks from across the table.

“She went to the bathroom,” I tell her. I glance over my shoulder but don’t see her yet.

Brielle frowns. “Sorry. I should have gone with her, but I got distracted.” I watch as Aiden leans close and says something to her; her frown increases.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Yeah.” She shakes her head, belying her words. When she sees that we’re all watching her, she sighs. “I’m sorry; it’s just my sister.”

I rack my brain, trying to remember her name. I met her once. “Amy?” I ask.

“Amber,” Rico corrects me.

“Isn’t she younger than you?” I ask.

“Yes. Sometimes she feels like she’s a decade younger than me,” she says and shakes her head. “I don’t know why she keeps dating this guy. He’s an absolute jerk to her.”

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