Page 44 of The Flirty Forward

“No, I’m good. Thanks.”

He watches me a beat before walking over to the passenger door and opening it for me. I climb inside his sleek Corvette. He starts it up and turns on the heat. Neither of us says anything as he pulls out. “Anything in particular you’re hungry for?” he asks.

“I’m game for anything. Do you need directions?”

“I saw a bunch of stuff on my way in this morning. Is it good if we just drive that way?”

“It’s your car, Sebastian. You can go wherever you want to go.”

He glances over at me but doesn’t say anything. A few minutes later, he pulls into the parking lot of a coffee shop. “Want a coffee?”

“Yes,” I answer before he’s even finished asking.

“There’s my girl; I wondered where’d you disappeared to.”

I climb out of the car, trying not to focus on his words too much. When we get inside, he turns to me. “What do you want?”

“I can get it,” I say, stepping past him.

He puts a hand on my arm, stopping me. “I know, but I want to. What do you want?”

I make the mistake of looking up at him. He’s staring down at me, and I can see the sincerity in his eyes. It throws me; I’m not used to him being serious. I look away from him and glance at the board. “What can I get for you?” the kid behind the counter asks with a smile.

“Can I get an iced coffee with marshmallow syrup and whipped cream?”

“That sounds like dessert,” Sebastian says, stepping close behind me.

The kid at the counter looks up at Sebastian and does a double-take. “No way. You’re Sebastian Hart!”

Sebastian chuckles. “I am. Can I get a dark roast black please?”

“Can I get your autograph?” the kid asks. He’s clearly starstruck.

Sebastian nods. “Sure.” He pulls out a marker. “Do you have something you want me to sign?” I take a step or two back, to get out of the way.

“I have something I wouldn’t mind him signing,” I hear someone mutter behind me. I turn and see two gorgeous women waiting to order. They move forward in tandem.

“Sebastian Hart. One of Green Thunder’s best,” one of the women says. They close in on Sebastian, and I turn away. I don’thave the stomach for it this morning. A few more people join the circle, and I look at my watch.

Isn't it a little early for a fan mob? I drop into a chair and stare out the window. I should have ordered a larger coffee. “Excuse me, I need to get this coffee to my girl,” I hear Sebastian say loudly. I don’t look over. An iced coffee is placed in front of me a moment later. He comes back a minute later balancing several food items before sliding into the seat across from me.

“Did you buy the entire menu?” I ask.

“I was hungry,” he says as he opens a container of what looks like oatmeal. “Eat whatever you want; I got plenty.”

“Did you escape your fans?” I ask dryly as I take a blueberry muffin out of the wrapper.

“Barely,” he says with a shudder.

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, those gorgeous women hanging all over you are such a bother.” I put my straw in my coffee and take a long drink, resisting the urge to close my eyes and sigh. He doesn’t say anything, and I finally look up.

He’s sitting back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest, smirking. “You’re jealous.”

I scoff. “I am not jealous.”

“You totally are.”

I shake my head and take another sip of my iced coffee. “You’re full of it.”

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