Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Sierra giggled loudly and Sebastian glanced over his shoulder, eyebrow raised in questioning amusement.
“Don’t tell him that, though,” I said hurriedly. “It’s good to keep him on his toes. Keeps him eager and motivated.”
My friend laughed harder.
“What’s so funny?” Sebastian called back to us, smiling.
“We’re just happy,” Sierra called back.
His expression softened as he glanced between us and nodded before turning around.
My friend sighed sappily. “Make a clone of him and I might consider settling down.”
I grinned, hugging her closer, beyond giddy that Sierra approved of my Sebastian.
As beautiful as the day started, unfortunately, it did not end well.
Late afternoon, Sebastian, Sierra, and I made a wee picnic and ate it outside. Then we changed into swimwear to hang out by the pool again. Zac, Harry, and Maddie returned and soon joined us.
“Guess who we bumped into,” Zac said as he waded into the water behind Maddie and Harry. He answered before Sebastian could ask who. “Colette.” He pronounced it with a French accent.
Sebastian had his arms around me, I was floating against his chest, so I felt his sudden tension. Realization clenched my gut before Zac blithely continued in explanation to the rest of us. “Colette is the daughter of a shop owner in the village. Sebastian hooked up with her two years ago.”
Harry cut him an annoyed look before changing the subject. “Who wants a beer? I’ll grab them.”
“Those French girls know what they’re doing.” Zac ignored him.
Sebastian’s arms tightened around me. “Zac—”
“I swear I can’t even look her in the eye now. What was it you called her? The Dyson?” He laughed uproariously.
“The Dyson?” Maddie asked stupidly.
“Zero gag reflex,” Sebastian’s moronic friend explained.
“Would you shut the fuck up?” Sebastian snapped angrily.
Zac’s expression fell. “What?” He looked at me, and he blanched. “Lily, I’m sorry. I forgot.”
I gave a brittle shake of my head, waving off his apology. But the reminder that Sebastian had been a manwhore, mixed with my insecurity over my own abilities in that area, plus the idea of him talking about a woman in that way … I wanted to shrug off his embrace.
“And I never called her that. You did.” Sebastian bent his head to my ear. “I promise.”
I nodded, shivering at the caress of his breath on my skin.
“Sawyer, I love you,” he vowed hoarsely.
Shoving down my own insecurity, I patted his arm. “I know. I love you.”
Zac grimaced. “Shit, I really am sorry.”
“Probably a bad idea you invited her over here tonight.” Maddie glowered at him. “Why would you do that?”
Sebastian pulled me tighter against him. “You did what?”
His friend gaped. “I wasn’t thinking. Sorry.”
The sound of my phone ringing distracted me from the annoyance burning through my blood and fogging my brain at the thought of having to socialize with one of Sebastian’s flings. “I have to get that.”
“Sawyer …”
I tugged out of Sebastian’s hold, and he reluctantly released me.
Zac muttered another apology to his friend as I got out of the pool. Grateful for the interruption, I snatched up my phone. It was my mother. “Hey, Mum, what’s up?”
Words hurried and shaky, she relayed without preamble, “I don’t want you to panic, because she’s going to be okay, but January was in a car accident this morning.”
Despite her words, panic froze me to the spot. “What? She’s okay, though?”
I was vaguely aware of everyone in the pool growing quiet as Mum replied, “She’s got a few bumps and bruises … and a broken wrist. But she’s going to be okay.”
“A broken wrist?” I cried.
Splashing from behind had me whirling around. Sebastian was wading out of the pool, his features etched with concern.
“January was in a car accident.”
“Bugger,” he muttered, hurrying out as my friends all followed him.
“She’s in the hospital getting checked over, but we’re taking her home soon. I wanted you to know,” Mum continued.
“I’m coming home.”
“No, Jan wouldn’t want that.”
“I’m not staying here after my sister’s been in a car accident. I’m coming home.”
“Lily—”
“I’m coming home. I’ll let you know when I’m about to board my flight.”
“Okay, sweetie. I’ll see you soon.”
We hung up and Sebastian pulled me into his arms. “She’s fine,” I mumbled against his chest. “But she’s broken her wrist. I need to go home.”
“Of course. We’ll pack now and grab the next flight.”
“No.” I jerked away. “I’m not ruining your holiday. Or my friends’ holiday.”
“Lily, it’s fine. We understand.” Maddie rested a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. “We’ll all head home.”
“No,” I insisted. “Please. It’ll make me feel worse if you guys leave too. Just stay and enjoy yourselves and I’ll keep you updated.”
“I’m not letting you fly alone when you’re distressed.” My boyfriend’s tone brokered no argument.
Yet I argued back. “You come with me, and it’ll make me feel really bad.”
“Sawyer—”
“Please stay.”
He glowered angrily at me. “Fine. But I’m driving you to the airport.”