Page 99 of Late Nights & Love Lines
He cared enough to read the room and our faces, then give us a few more minutes of privacy. It’s still strange to me, how these people care so easily.
“Okay,” Sebastian says. “I can’t promise you’ll get what you want, but I do promise to see if it’s an option for us. I’ve been thinking about it anyway.”
Seren’s head jerks up. “Really?” The hope in her voice tugs at the little girl in me who had hoped and prayed for a way out of her misery.
“Really,” he says. She jumps down from her stool and runs to him. He wraps her in a giant hug the instant she reaches him. “Remember, I can’t promise, Ser. There are so many movingpieces, but with the bulk of my company now tied to Beck’s, I might be able to work something out.”
I don’t realize she’s crying until she chokes out a “thank you, Daddy.” The hairs on my arms stand on end as I stare at them, and then goosebumps creep over my skin.
“Oh, sweet girl. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.” He’s talking to Seren, but staring intently at me as though the words are meant for us both.
Beck walks back inside. “Sorry to interrupt, but the food’s ready.”
“It’s okay,” Sebastian says, waving him in.
Seren pulls away from her dad and stands next to me. Then she buries her face in my chest, and sobs with what feels like relief.
When her cries turn into hiccups, she meets my gaze but doesn’t immediately release me. “Thank you, Row,” she whispers.
“For what?” I’m truly dumbfounded. I haven’t done anything.
“For including me.”
My heart no longer belongs to me because she just reached inside my chest and wrapped both fists around it.
Sebastian hands her a box of tissues, which she takes, and wipes her eyes and nose while I stand frozen, unsure if there’s even any air left in my lungs.
“You’re good for us, Peach.” He glances over to his daughter. “All of us.” For the third time tonight, he kisses my forehead, then walks around me toward the dining room.
His laughter jump-starts my lungs, and I suck in a large gulp of air.
“I’m going to need a bigger table if this happens a lot around here.” Sebastian chuckles.
“Get used to it,” Leo says with a teasing lilt to his tone. “You’re one of us now.”
Sebastian lifts his head at that moment and snags my gaze.
“Yeah, I think we are,” he says, before helping Miles into a chair.
My palms sweat, my vision tunnels, and I might be seconds away from passing out. This is the beginning of a panic attack, and I need to get out of here before I embarrass myself.
“Row,” Seren calls to me. She sounds far away, and I barely make out her silhouette. “Come on, out here.”
I follow the sound of her voice, then out onto the deck where the salt air washes over me with the force of a ten-foot wave. I’m instantly calmer, but it takes several more deep breaths before I’m sure I can speak.
“Thanks, Seren. How did you?—”
She shrugs. “Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning too. Pappy said the ocean is a natural stress reliever—the air or something. I just wanted to try it out on you first before I believed him.”
Miraculously, this kid not only pulled me from my panic, but she also got me to belly laugh.
Her lips tilt up on one side. “We have to take care of each other, right?”
“Yeah,” I choke out.
“Seren, come make a plate,” Sebastian calls, oblivious to the moment I shared with his very special little girl.
“Coming,” she calls. “Want me to save you a seat?”
