Page 46 of The Flirty Forward

I nearly laugh out loud. “A book club? Yeah, because I can so see Aiden sitting in a book club talking about a romance book.”

“Yeah, he probably wouldn’t do it; neither would Gunner.” His eyes light up. “But it would be fun to make them sit through one. Aiden would do it if I told him Brielle really wanted him to.”

“I think you’re putting way too much faith in his relationship with Brielle,” I tell him.

“Nah. That guy would die for her.”

“Yeah, but would he read a romance book for her?” I argue.

Sebastian grins. “It would be a test.” I shake my head. “So what’s with you and your parents?” he asks suddenly.

I sit back in my chair and try not to react to his words, “What do you mean?”

He’s suddenly serious. “You know what I mean,” he says softly.

“I really don’t.”

He studies my face a moment. “Why don’t your parents support what you do? And why aren’t you all closer?”

Anger rises swiftly. “Not all families are as lovey-dovey as yours, Sebastian.” I regret the words immediately. “I’m sorry; that was uncalled for. Your family is amazing,” I say quietly. “I hope you know that.” I continue before he can say anything. “Myparents love me; they just don’t show it demonstratively like yours do.”

“And their lack of support for your careers?” he asks softly. I don’t look at him. I feel humiliated that he witnessed all that. I’ve dealt with it all my life. I know my parents love me; they show that love by pushing me to be better, to be the best I can be. They don’t ever want me to settle because they haven’t. They’re both at the height of their careers right now, a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom.

“They never wanted me to be a teacher,” I finally say without looking at him. It feels oddly relieving to say those words out loud. I don’t think I’ve ever said it out loud before. I’ve never even told Brielle, though she knows my parents aren’t fond of what I do for a living.

“Why not?” he asks. There’s no judgment in his voice, only curiosity.

I shrug. “Lack of pay, lack of prestige, not following in their footsteps...you name it.”

“And the books,” he pushes.

“Oh they definitely don’t like that,” I say with a laugh. “My mother calls it a waste of time and brain power,” I say dryly. I shrug. “But I love it, and it helps pay the bills.”

He frowns. “Do you make that little money teaching?”

“Well, I didn’t go into it for the money, that’s for sure.”

His frown tightens. “You know if you need money—”

I cut him off. “I do not need your money.”

“Stephanie—”

“I don’t need your money, Sebastian,” I say more forcefully this time. I feel my face begin to heat up. I stand to my feet, more than ready to get going. “Ready to go?” I ask. I only make it a few steps before a hand encloses around my wrist, stopping me.

“I’m sorry,” he says softly. “I wasn’t trying to belittle you or make you feel bad. You have my utmost respect, Stephanie. Ateacher and an author? I think that’s amazing.” I finally look down and meet his eyes. “You should hold your head high.” His words connect with me at a soul level. I don’t feel capable of talking, so I nod at him. He releases my arm a moment later, and I walk over to the trash. I feel like I walk a little taller as I head over to the exit. When I turn back, Sebastian strides towards me, all confidence and swagger. A smile slips across my face before I can stop it. He stops at the door. “What’s that smile for?”

“Nothing.”

“Hmm.” He doesn’t say anything else as we walk out to the car. He holds my door for me before walking around to the other side. I wait until he starts the car to talk.

“Sebastian.” He looks over at me. “Thank you.”

He gives me a smile that looks regretful. “You don’t need to thank me for telling you the truth, Doll.”

“Well, thank you anyway.”

We drive back to my parents’ house mostly in silence. “I need to get going pretty soon after we get back, so I can get back in time for practice. Coach is already mad at me for my performance last night. I don’t want to add a missed practice; he’ll bench me for sure.”

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