Page 9 of The Flirty Forward

Sebastian-I'll be there with bells on

Aiden-what does that even mean and who says that?

“Who are you grinning at like that?” Tina demands from across the table. “Is that her?”

“I wish,” I say without looking up.

Sebastian-I'll be there

I pocket my phone. “That was Aiden; I’ve got a wedding planning meeting to be at tomorrow.” I sit up tall. “I’m going to be the best man in Aiden and Brielle’s wedding.”

“Poor guy; he really must not have friends,” Keith says from his end of the table.

I look for something to throw at him but don’t find anything. I reach for the roll on Max’s plate, but my mom stops me. “Sebastian.”

Keith smirks, and I shake my head, vowing to get him later. “All right, who’s ready for games?” I ask, rubbing my hands together. It’s our tradition. After brunch, we play games until a sports game comes on TV that we can watch. The game can be hockey, football, basketball...it doesn’t matter. We’ll watch it, whatever it is. What can I say? We’re a sports family.

Chapter 3

Stephanie

I grab my phone and purse and head out to the car, so I can get to Aiden and Brielle’s for the wedding planning meeting. We still have plenty of time, as they’re not getting married until after this hockey season. They wanted to do it earlier, but Aiden’s schedule was too busy. Brielle is getting everything in line, so they can marry right at the end of this season before he gets sucked in again for the next season. I left early, so I could stop and grab bread from the bakery. Brielle’s making dinner and said I could bring bread. I’m pretty sure that’s because she doesn’t trust me to cook anything, but that’s okay. She’s mostly right, anyway.

I get to their house a few minutes before seven. When I knock, it’s Aiden who lets me in. “Hi, Aiden.”

“Stephanie.”

I walk towards the kitchen where I know I’m going to find my friend. “It smells good in here.”

“Hey,” Brielle says with cheeks flushed from stirring the big pot over the stove.

“Here’s the bread,” I tell her. I root around until I find the cutting board and a knife.

“Great. Thank you. Are you hungry? I made a hearty beef stew.”

As if on cue, my stomach growls. “Yes. I'm starving.”

I cut up the bread and put it on a serving plate and take it to the table before helping Brielle ladle beef stew into bowls that Aiden carries to the table. I take note of the four bowls on the table and look at Brielle. “Who else is joining us?”

Right on cue, the doorbell rings. Before anybody goes over to the door, it opens, and Sebastian Hart strides inside. I close my eyes a moment and dart into the kitchen. I don’t know why I didn’t think about the fact that he would be here. He's most likely in the wedding.Shoot me now.

“How’s my favorite couple?” I hear him ask.

I can’t believe I’m going to have to deal with him all night. I look up at the clock on the wall.7:15. Figures he’d be late.

“Are you hiding from me?” Sebastian asks, suddenly in front of me.

I jump in surprise. “Nope.” I forgot just how tall and broad he is and take a small step back.

“Liar,” he says with a grin. “Are you always this jumpy, or is that because of me?”

I resort to what’s in my arsenal—sarcasm. “Are you always this late?”

“I’m not late,” he scoffs.

I look at the clock and back at him. “It’s 7:15.”

“Yep. And?”

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