Page 109 of The Flirty Forward

I don’t say anything because I want his words to be true. The rest of the ride is silent, except for me giving him directions. We finally pull up in front of her house. “I won’t take long;hopefully she’s still up.” I close the door behind me and jog up the front steps and knock on her front door, willing her to still be awake. The door opens, and Stephanie stares up at me. She doesn’t seem to be surprised, and I wonder if Bri texted her I was coming. My eyes soak her in. I take note of the fact that she’s dressed in warm pants and an oversized sweatshirt—comfort clothes. I look into her eyes and see the remnants of tears, and my heart tugs again. “Can I come in?” I ask quietly.

She steps back and lets me in. I close the door behind me and turn to face her. Without another word, I step forward and pull her into my arms. She’s stiff at first, resisting me; but I’m stronger. Making sure I don’t hurt her, I tug a little harder until she’s finally in my arms. I take a full breath and feel the tightness in my chest begin to slowly ease as I breathe her in. She’s safe, and she’s in my arms where she belongs. The rest will sort itself out.

Chapter 42

Stephanie

I try to resist, but I cave and relax in Sebastian’s arms. “I’m not going anywhere, Stephanie Winston. I’m not going to choose someone different. And just for the record, there is no one prettier. I’m okay that you don’t like to go out and party, and I don’t want somebody more fun. I only want you. And I don’t want you flirting with other men. Ever. You can flirt with me all you want, though.” He pulls back and stares down at me. “I love you. I’ve made my choice, and I’m not a guy who changes his mind. I wantyouand only you. I want you today, and I’ll want you thirty years from now. You're my choice.” He reaches out and catches a teardrop as he stares into my eyes.

I try to summon a smile. Based on the look on his face, I’m pretty sure I failed. “I take it you read my text messages to Bri.”

He stays sober. “I did. And you would be very proud of me—William is still alive.” I shake my head and stare at his chest. “Tell me you believe me,” he says seriously. I look up and meet his eyes. At the devastated look in his eyes, something cracks inside me. The part of me that I’ve held tightly, the part of me that doesn’t trust well or love easily, the walls I’ve erected around my heart—it all comes crashing down. There’s a truth to his words, and I know he’s backed up those words with actions time and time again. I know he means what he says. Now it’s just a matter of me choosing to trust in that love.

I stare up at him and push aside my fears and worries. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left. He just...” I shake my head. “He just got to me; he knew exactly what to say. I love you, Sebastian.”

His entire face changes. “You have no idea how happy that makes me.” Then his lips are on mine for just a moment before he turns us and pulls me down onto his lap on the couch and frames my face with his hands. “Next time, just tell me. Don’t shut me out.”

I nod. “I will.”

“I’ll make sure Chloe gets him fired,” he says in between kisses.

I pull back. "Really? She can do that?”

“That woman is terrifying,” he says with a shudder. “She can do anything she wants.” He kisses me a little longer before he finally pulls back. “I need to let you go to bed. Please tell me we don’t have to wait long to get married.”

I smile. “You’re not very patient are you?”

“Did you ever think I was?” he asks.

I smirk. “Yeah, no.”

He reluctantly sets me on the couch and stands to his feet. “I’ve got to go so you can get some sleep. And Gunner might be waiting in the car,” he says sheepishly.

“Gunner’s waiting in the car? I’m sorry! Why did he come with?”

“I was a little angry, and he wouldn’t let me drive,” he admits.

“Sebastian,” I say, shaking my head. I kiss him one more time. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

His eyes light up. “Yeah, are you still good for brunch?” I nod. “I’ll pick you up at nine, if that works.”

Right before he walks away, I snag his hand. “Thank you for coming here, for coming back for me.”

“I will always come back for you.” He kisses me one more time and then opens the front door. I walk out with him, shivering in the cold. “Go back in, Babe, so you don’t get cold.”

I glance towards his car. “I don’t think Gunner’s there anymore.” He looks at his car and then pulls out his phone.

“Oh, he got a ride.”

“Well, thank him from me for giving you a ride, so you could arrive here in one piece,” I tell him with a smile.

“Go inside and get warm; I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” With one last kiss, he jogs down the steps and gets in his car. Once his car is running, I turn and go back inside. I close the door and lock it and lean against it for a moment. It only takes a few minutes for me to climb into bed. I'm tired, but I don’t feel like I can sleep. I stare up at the ceiling, thinking through the night. I’d been feeling so good tonight, and then I'd run into William outside the women’s bathroom. Obviously, he’d been waiting for me. Deep down, I know his words aren’t true, but they rocked me for a little bit. I’m glad Sebastian came over; I was regretting running from him anyway. I sigh as I stare into the darkness. It is quite obvious that my parents didn’t hear anything I tried to tell them. I look at the clock; it’s too late to call them now. But I need to do it first thing in the morning. I pull up my text thread and text Sebastian.

Stephanie-I know I already said this, but thanks for coming over tonight. Did you get home okay?

Sebastian-Hey Baby

Sebastian-just got home

---