Page 80 of The Flirty Forward

“Absolutely!” he responds with gusto.

“When is it?”

He gives me a sheepish grin. “Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Can you come?”

I cross my arms across my chest. “You’re like a little puppy, wanting a treat.”

He pants. “Do I get the treat?”

I cock my head to the side. “Am I the treat in this situation?”

“Yes. Will you come? Hopefully Brielle will come; so at least you have somebody there you know.”

“Will I have to do anything weird?”

“Define weird.”

I put my hands on my hips. “Sebastian.”

“Stephanie,” he returns. “No, nothing weird.”

“What time tomorrow?”

“You’ll come?” he asks, his smile huge.

I can’t help but smile in return. “Sure. What time?”

“I’ll pick you up at nine-thirty. Dress warm because we’ll be in the hockey rink for a while. Oh, and wear something you can skate in.”

“Wait, I have to skate?”

He grins. “Yes. Don’t worry; I can teach you how.”

I purse my lips. “Fine.” I look around the kitchen; it’s all picked up.

“Want to work on your book or papers or whatever you need to work on while I watch game footage?”

“Sure.” And that’s how I find myself on the couch next to a sprawled-out Sebastian. I have my laptop on my lap, and he’s watching game footage, taking notes. It's actually relaxing and surprisingly an enjoyable way to spend the evening. Before I realize it, it’s ten. When I realize that, I start packing up. “I’d better get home.” He stands and stretches. I will my eyes away when his shirt raises, and I get a peek at his stomach muscles.

“I’ll walk you out. Do you want me to follow you home?” he asks as he opens my car door for me.

“No. I’m totally fine.” I look up at him and can see his face from the lights on his garage. “I had a really good night tonight; thank you.”

“I’m glad. I did too.” He steps closer and wraps an arm around my back, pulling me to his chest. His lips are light on mine, and the kiss is over before I realize it. “I’ll see you tomorrow at nine-thirty.”

“See you then.” My voice is airy, and I throw my bag in the back seat and climb in before I do anything dumb. He watches me drive away, and I take a deep breath when he’s out of sight. I think I'm falling faster than I realize. The reason I think that? Because I’m fighting the urge to turn around and drive right back and ask if I can just stay with him for the night. And not ina sexual way; I just miss him already. I blow out a breath. “I’m in so much trouble.”

___________

The next morning, I call Brielle. “Hey,” I say as soon as she answers. “Are you going today? What are you wearing?”

“Good morning to you too, Bestie,” she says.

“Sorry. Good morning. How are you?”

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