Page 130 of My Year of Saying No
‘It was fun though.’
He grinned and my treacherous tummy did a couple of flips and flops. ‘It was. But, seriously, I mean it. I guess I’ve always known it, but this week has proved something to me.’ He was close now, one hand at my waist, the other gently pushing an overlong chunk of fringe from my temple. ‘I cannot ever imagine a time when I would ever not want to talk to you, see you.’ He moved again, his face close to mine. ‘Be with you.’
‘Seb…’
He stepped back as my phone rang.
I let it ring off, wanting him back, wanting that closeness, knowing those lips had been about to press mine, that body, hard with muscle, moving closer to mine. Admittedly, the middle of a plant show hadn’t been where my fantasies had ever taken place. But he was bloody gorgeous and, although last year had been full of disappointments on the dating front, I wasn’t quite on the verge of taking a vow of celibacy just yet. And…
OK, I was reading this right, wasn’t I? I glanced up. He smiled at me in a way that could melt chocolate and I gave it right back. Yep. I was right. I’d said no once before, but I was suddenly thankful Seb had a streak of persistence. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only one.
‘Yes, Mum!’ I answered as the phone began to ring again. ‘We’re coming.’ I had a bone to pick with my mum later.
Seb was still close to me, but amusement now replaced the heat that had filled his eyes moments before. ‘I’m guessing we need to get a shifty on.’
‘I think so.’
‘OK, one more thing though.’
‘Yes?’ I asked, looking back up at him, feeling sparks shoot throughout my body. Now I’d let those floodgates open, I wasn’t sure there was much I could do to hold them back.
Seb took my hand, enclosing it within his own. ‘Would you do me the honour of coming to the gala? I know you said no before, and that you’re busy, but if there’s any chance of you being able to rearrange the—’
‘I’m not busy.’
He smirked. ‘Lottie Wentworth. Did you fib?’
‘Yes. Because you were being an arsehole. That means it’s all right for me to fib.’
‘Fair enough. And so, where do we stand on that answer now?’
‘I just told you I’m not busy,’ I said, looking up through my lashes.
His answer was a broad smile as he tightened his hold on my hand and led the four of us towards the refreshment tent. Sneaking another glance at the deliciously hot man beside me, a long, cool drink might not be such a bad idea.
34
The last couple of weeks had passed in a blur as I tried to keep up with my regular clients, provide extra assistance for the start-up as they teetered on the cusp of something amazing, plus help the charity get every last little thing into place in order for this gala to be as successful as we all hoped it would.
Seb and I hadn’t really had a chance to catch up properly on much outside of the gala, let alone get together to see what the next step might be following our moment at the show. But now it was here and, although we’d taken a chance on an open-air venue, it had been worth it. The warmth of the early summer day had become a balmy summer evening, and somewhere beyond the mass of light pollution was a plethora of twinkling stars, pinned on a twilight blue sky.
Harry and Jess had booked tickets for the event and kindly also provided both Seb and I with a room each at a local luxury hotel at a much-discounted corporate rate.
With a bit of luck, you’ll only be using one of the rooms.
Jess followed this with a winky face when she messaged me the details from Harry.
I sent her a rolly eyes one back, which she thought hilarious and swapped it for an aubergine. I didn’t have an answer for that.
I’d originally planned to meet Seb early, but a last minute crisis with another of my clients before a big meeting meant I’d had to catcha later train, arranging instead to meet Seb, as well as Jess and Harry, at the actual event.
‘I don’t have a ticket!’ I flapped slightly when I called Seb to tell him I had to change our plans. I’d gone over the security arrangements with Seb myself. Obviously he had plenty of contacts in that area, so I wasn’t worried, but he’d been keen to ensure I was up to date on every aspect, in case I needed anything.
‘You don’t need one.’ Calm as ever in comparison, I could hear his smile down the phone.
‘I do! We made that a big point. That tickets must be presented!’
‘Lottie. You’re effectively part of the charity. Your name is on the list. You’ll be fine. Don’t worry.’
