Page 50 of Perfect Night

Charlie’s jaw dropped as he realised what he’d said. It dropped so much a piece of sausage fell out onto his plate. It would have been hilarious if the moment wasn’t so serious. Charlie went to speak, but Sebastian put a finger on his mouth to stop him.

“Relax, Charlie. I love you too.”

Charlie’s eyes watered, so Sebastian leaned forward and kissed him gently. When he pulled back, he could see Charlie was upset.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

“Of how I met the perfect guy and how much it’s going to hurt when I lose him.”

“Who says you’re going to lose me?”

“I just . . .”

“You deserve to be happy, Charlie. We both do. Look, I can’t sit here and promise we’ll be forever. I want us to be, but I can’t see into the future. I just know that you’re worth the risk of getting my heart broken if there’s a chance that we’ll get our happily-ever-after.”

Charlie snorted.

“What? Too mushy?”

“No, it was perfect.”

They kissed again and went back to their food, neither of them speaking for a minute as they both pondered the enormity of what they’d shared. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence.

“Is that offer to come to New York still open?”

“Of course.”

“You know I’ve never been out of the country?”

“Jason told me when I asked for your passport details. Thank God you have one.”

“Why did you need my passport details?”

“To order you a visa, in case you changed your mind. I’ve got it. They’re usually quick if you haven’t been to any dodgy countries. We can leave tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Is there some reason you can’t?”

“I just want to see my mum, and I wanted to speak to Candice about some interviews. The money I’ve got won’t last long, and I’m not taking any more off anybody else.”

Charlie had explained what his friends had done for him, including Gregory getting him out of arrears with his mum’s care facility. Sebastian would have done it without thinking, but he knew Charlie accepting the help from Gregory was a big deal. He was just happy he’d accepted it. It was a shame he didn’t want to come and work for Steele Property Holdings. Charlie wanted his independence, and this was one way for him to keep that. However, if Charlie took another job paying under his worth, he’d have to say something.

“You can speak to Candice on Zoom. I’ll set it up. You could see your mum tomorrow morning, and we could fly out later in the afternoon. I’ll sort the tickets.”

“With your Air Miles?”

“Right, listen to me. I’m your boyfriend now, right?”

“I hope so.”

Sebastian smiled and grabbed a quick kiss.

“I’m taking you to where I live, and I’m taking time off work to show you around.”

---