Page 77 of The Flirty Forward

“You got your phone.”

“Finally,” he says begrudgingly. He turns it around and shows me the screensaver and I suck in a breath.

Chapter 30

Stephanie

I stare at his phone. It's a photo of me at his parents’ house. I’m on the floor playing a game with the kids, and I’m smiling at one of them. They must have just said something because my smile is so big, and my eyes are lit up. When I look up at him, his eyes are serious. “I want to be the one to put that smile on your beautiful face. I want it more than anything I’ve ever wanted before. And I’m going to work for it. I will prove myself to you until I put that smile on your face every single day.”

I want to say something in response, but voices catch my attention. I glance over my shoulder and see several of my co-workers leaving the building and walking to their cars. He eyes them and then looks at me. “Want to get out of here and go somewhere to talk?”

“Yes.” I don’t even have to think about it. “But not out; you’ll get bombarded. Do you want to go to your house since you haven’t had a chance to be home?”

His eyes soften. “Yeah. That would be nice, although I don’t care where we go as long as you’re there.”

“I’ll follow you to your house.” At first, I think he’s going to argue; but then he nods. He kisses me on the forehead briefly.

“See you there, Love.”

His endearment has butterflies erupting in my stomach all over again. I climb into my car, feeling in somewhat of a daze. I follow behind him, and before I know it, we’ve arrived. I’ve been to his house before, but I didn’t really pay attention because I was so stressed out trying to get to Keith. I sit in my car fora moment and take it in. It’s a big house, but not as big as I would think for an AHL player. It’s actually very appealing. It’s got a white stucco front with a few green plants and a beautiful wood door and black accents. The large windows make me think it’s going to be bright and sunny inside, something I happen to enjoy. I have to say...I love it. A knock on the window startles me.

“Are you going to come in or stay in your car?” Sebastian asks with a grin.

I open my door. “I was admiring your house, but on second thought, I don’t think I like it anymore. It’s ugly.”

He laughs. “Come on.” He takes my bag from my shoulder and throws it over his shoulder, even though he’s got his own bag. He leads the way up the steps and inside. I was right. The inside is beautiful and bright as the big windows let the sun in. The walls are white, and the ceiling is high. He has expensive looking couches and end tables and a few green plants strategically placed. It definitely doesn’t have a woman’s touch, but it’s clean and neat.

“Want a tour?”

I nod. “Yes please.” He leads me around his large home with his beautiful eat-in kitchen and island, three guest bedrooms, his bedroom, three bathrooms, a workout area, and a legit movie theater room with recliners. I can’t help but be impressed, and it usually takes a lot because I grew up with money. My parents made sure I never lacked for anything money could buy. I follow Sebastian to the kitchen, trying not to be nervous. I don’t know what to do with myself.

“It’s big,” he says when we get back to the living room. “When I initially bought it, I had visions of hosting Sunday brunch here for my family. But you can see how well that’s going. I don’t think my mom’s going to give that up anytime soon.” I follow him as he heads into the kitchen. “I know it’s a little early, butare you hungry?” He opens the refrigerator and ducks to look inside.

“I can always eat,” I offer.

He grins. “Good because I love to eat.”

“That, I believe. What can I do to help?” I take off my blazer and hang it on the back of a chair and pull my hair back and secure it with a hair tie, so I don’t get hair in the food. When I turn back around, Sebastian’s staring at me. “What?”

He shakes his head and turns back to the counter. “I’m going to grill up some chicken and make some veggies and a salad. Sound good?”

“Sounds healthy,” I can’t help but return.

He grins over at me. “Welcome to hockey season. You don’t have to eat that, though. You want me to order you takeout from somewhere?”

“No, no. This is fine; I’m just messing with you. Let me help.” I grab a knife from his knife block and ask where the cutting board is. Moments later, I’m cutting up greens for the salad.

“I like this,” Sebastian says, glancing over at me.

“Cutting up chicken?”

He smiles and shakes his head. “No. Cooking with you in the kitchen; it’s just like when we were at your house. It’s very domesticated,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows.

I roll my eyes. “Yeah. I’m so very domesticated.”

I can feel his eyes on me. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he asks casually.

I shrug. “I’m the furthest thing from domesticated.” At his curious look, I scoff. “Sebastian, look at me. Do I look like the domesticated type?”

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