Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Sebastian’s executive assistant, Kaylan, was waiting a short distance away with a polite smile on his face. “It’s wonderful to see you again, Mr. Sutton, Mr. Foster.”
My lips twisted into a wry grin, but I kept my comments to myself and simply nodded. Not long ago, Kaylan and his boyfriend had attended the symphony with us, where he’d called me by my given name. But I understood; this was work, and when Byron had been Sebastian’s assistant, he’d demanded that everyone be addressed properly regardless of their familiarity during personal hours.
“Can I get you anything to drink while you meet with Mr. Courtland?”
“We’re good, Kaylan. Please hold all of Mr. Courtland’s calls for the afternoon,” Declan instructed, to my surprise. It felt as though maybe Simon had sent Sebastian and Declan a heads-up.
I worked on unbuttoning my coat as we walked. “Are we still waiting for Rome or did he beat me here?”
“Rome is working at the library today,” Declan murmured. “He can’t get away, and Liam is now doomed to deal with his foul mood.”
As we turned the corner to walk down the short corridor leading to Sebastian’s office, the man himself pulled open both doors, a worried expression filling his face as he stared at me.
“Sorry to have dis—”
I didn’t get the chance to say the rest. Sebastian marched three steps to me and pulled me into a fierce bear hug that cracked my spine and crushed my lungs. I threw a questioning glance at Declan, who appeared not in the least surprised by his best friend’s actions. But that was Sebastian. He was a hugger. God help Byron.
Wincing slightly, I patted Sebastian twice on his shoulder. “It’s okay, Sebastian. I’m okay.”
“You’re not okay.” Sebastian released me from the hug and took a step back, but his face had only grown fiercer. “Simon texted that you’re having a shit day and that you might stop by to talk about Sawyer.”
“That’s it?”
“He didn’t say more,” Declan confirmed, which shocked me. I’d half expected him to lay all the dirty details out for them.
Sebastian led the way into his office, and Kaylan closed the doors behind us, shutting out the rest of the world.
“Do you want a drink?” Sebastian asked, motioning to the wet bar off to the side that held a nice selection of alcohol. It was then that I realized how much worry was weighing on Sebastian. He feared what I might have to say.
“It’s ten in the morning, Sebastian. Too early.”
“Oh, right. Coffee? Tea?”
“We’re fine. Thanks.” I strolled to the leather love seat and chairs positioned off to one side of his office. “Simon said that he told you that we were sort of seeing each other.”
That announcement was met with silence. I lifted my gaze to see Sebastian practically bursting at the seams to say something. Declan’s stern glare forced him to at least try to hold it in. I motioned to him with one hand, and he exploded.
“That is fucking amazing! I would never have guessed that you’d be a fit because you were always so cold toward him, but—”
“It’s none of our business who you’re dating,” Declan cut in.
Sebastian pulled himself together and nodded. “Yes. The only things that matter are your happiness and Simon’s happiness.” His jubilant demeanor plummeted in the blink of an eye. “And you don’t seem very happy right now. What can we do to help?”
“I wanted to talk about…Sawyer.” I closed my eyes and tried not to clench my teeth. “And what happened that day. I feel like I owe you an explanation.”
“Let me call Rome. He should know too,” Sebastian said. I opened my eyes to see him pull his phone out of his pocket.
“I thought he was working,” I murmured.
“He is, but he doesn’t have a story-time reading at the library until one.”
A ghost of a smile crossed my lips. It was still strange to think that bubbly, outgoing, foul-mouthed Rome was a librarian, let alone one who regularly read books to kids. But the man who hadn’t known what he wanted to do with his life had really found his niche in the library.
Seconds later, Rome’s voice was coming through the speaker on Sebastian’s phone.
“All right, whose ass do I need to kick?” Rome demanded as Sebastian set the phone on the coffee table in front of us.
“Mine. And maybe Sawyer’s.” I took one final steadying breath and launched into the same tale I’d told Simon a couple of hours earlier. It was a little easier considering I’d had some practice already from telling Simon, but I was even less sure of how they would react. They adored Sawyer as much as I did. Would they even believe me?
When I ran out of words, I wondered if I should have taken Sebastian up on his offer of a drink. A glass of whiskey sounded so very good at that moment.