Page 26 of Mine Again
Hands reach out, steadying me. Firm. Warm.
I look up.
It’shim.
Up close, he’s even more handsome. Those sapphire eyes meet mine and don’t waver. He smells like cedar and expensive aftershave, and something else I can’t place.
“Hello,” he says.
His voice is deep and textured, like worn velvet. I catch the faintest hint of an American accent. It all fits him.
“Hello,” I stammer.
“I’m Sebastian.”
“You’re not Italian.” I wince the second the words leave my mouth.
What am I saying?
Does that make it sound like I’ve been thinking about him? Because I haven’t…
He chuckles, his smile deepening.
“You’ve got a good ear. My mother is American, and my father is Italian.”
“Ah. That would explain it.”
I cringe again. Why am I like this?
His hands haven’t left my arms. Now they slide slowly down until they reach my wrists and cover my hands. Gently. Intentionally.
My heart pounds so hard I’m sure he can feel it through my skin.
“I should get back,” I murmur, not used to such forwardness andhating how flustered it makes me. “My family will wonder where I am.”
“Of course,” he replies, smooth as silk.
But he doesn’t move. Doesn’t let go. His eyes stay locked on mine.
“Would you like to—”
His words are cut off when a blaring alarm shrieks through the corridor.
I jolt, stepping back, and his hands fall away.
My heart rate is through the roof.
Is it because of the alarm or the man in front of me?
I look around, trying to figure out what’s happening. There’s no smoke in the air. So why are the fire alarms screaming?
“Isa!” Mari’s voice echoes, followed by Mia’s as they burst into the corridor.
“I’m here!” I call, rushing toward them, throwing one last glance over my shoulder at the beautiful stranger.
“Happy birthday,” he seems to mouth.
That can’t be right. How would he know?
