TWENTY-EIGHT
ANNALISE
Instead of spending four days holed up in Sebastian’s apartment like we would have at the cabin, we decide to venture out and enjoy some of the seasonal activities the city offers. We walk through little pop-up markets, skate at the outdoor rink, hit the sales, and try new restaurants. The more time we spend together, the more natural it feels, as if we’ve been together for years. When we finally make it home each night, we curl up on the couch with a movie before falling into bed together. I know I’ll eventually have to head back to my apartment, but there’s something about being with Sebastian in his apartment that feels right.
He eventually agrees to go with me, and I pack a bag, which Sebastian convinces me to turn into two bags. I think if he had his way, we’d be packing up my apartment and moving me in with him. I know that’s likely what’s going to happen eventually, but I want to take my time. I still have six months on my lease, and we can evaluate our situation then.
I stare at myself in the mirror in his bedroom as I decide which dress I want to wear to my parents’ for their New Year’s Eve party. The sound of Sebastian’s groan pulls my attention,and I turn to find him leaning against the doorway, fist to his mouth.
“Damn. How’d I get so lucky?” he asks, causing me to chuckle. “You look so hot, baby. I wish I could keep you here all to myself tonight.”
My cheeks warm. I still love how needy and turned on Sebastian sounds when he talks to me like that.
“As much as I’d love to ring in the New Year with you buried inside me, we promised Walker. He’s been decent about our relationship since we got back. I don’t want us proving him right and seeing your friendship take a back seat.”
His smile turns soft, and he pushes off the doorframe and walks towards me, stopping to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear before he wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me in close.
“I know, and I’ll make sure I plan some time with Walker. There’s some big games coming up, I’m going to try and find some tickets and take him.”
I grin up at him. “I’m sure he’d love that.”
He leans down and places a soft kiss on my lips, his hand squeezing my ass cheek. “Now, let’s get out of here before I decide to bend you over and fuck you in this dress.”
One last kiss, and we make our way to my parents’ place.
Walker answers the door when we arrive. He shakes Sebastian’s hand and hugs me, and it feels like we may slowly be going in the right direction. I kiss Sebastian’s cheek as I leave him with my brother and slowly move inside. Mom and Dad are sitting in theliving room, picking at a plate of snacks as they talk. Mom smiles at me, and I join her, grabbing a slice of salami as I sit.
“Sebastian come with you?” Mom asks.
I nod. “He’s in with Walker right now.”
She pats my leg a couple of times before squeezing it. “I’m glad you guys are working things out. I know this isn’t easy with your brother, but he’ll come around.”
“I hope so. Walker was really upset when he found out at the cabin.” I blush, remembering just how he found out. I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear and continue. “He said he was worried about losing his best friend, not realizing he’s not losing Sebastian and he’ll just be at more family events.”
“He never was good at sharing,” she says.
I snort. That’s an understatement.
We settle into the couch, and Mom asks me about my photography while Dad watches the sports highlights, asking the occasional question before returning his attention to the TV. When Walker and Sebastian join us, Sebastian kisses me as he takes the empty spot beside me, his hand finding the top of my thigh. He continues his conversation with Walker, his thumb running delicately over my dress. The doorbell eventually rings, and Mom gets up to welcome the rest of their guests. I lean into Sebastian’s side, his hand leaving my leg as he wraps his arm around my shoulders, kissing the top of my head. I close my eyes, contentment washing over me.
I take in everything around me, my family home, my parents, my brother, Sebastian, and the knowledge that the cabin I love so much is staying in our family. We spend the night socializing and eating, all gathering in the living room as we prepare for the ball to drop.
I slide into Sebastian’s side, his arm wrapping around me and holding me close. When the countdown starts, I smile up athim. As soon as we say, “Happy New Year,” his lips are on mine. I grip the front of his shirt, never wanting to let him go.
A few gentle pecks on my lips later, he’s whispering, “I love you.”
Walker breaks the moment, slapping Sebastian on the back and shaking his hand. We make our rounds, wishing everyone a happy new year, and slowly make our way to the front door to call it a night. Dad pulls him aside before we can make our way out the door, and on the way home, Sebastian says he wanted to thank him for saving the cabin. He knows it’s no longer theirs, but having it stay in the family means a lot to him. My dad is a very proud man. For him to thank Sebastian was probably difficult for him. I’m hoping my family can be as close to Sebastian as they were when we were kids. That’s something only time will tell.
Back in Sebastian’s bedroom, I’m standing as he slowly glides the zipper of my dress down as he kisses my shoulder. It’s intimate and not sexual. A simple act of helping me while wanting to kiss me. I smile and lean into him, his arm now wrapping around my waist as he buries his face in my shoulder and neck.
I hum in satisfaction. The warmth of his body at my back and the feeling of his arms wrapped around me, blanketing me in a feeling of safety and joy I’m still trying to comprehend. Two weeks ago, when I was leaving the city to spend what I thought was one last Christmas at the cabin, I never thought it would end like this. It turned into my teenage dreams coming true, and my heart so full of happiness I fear it may explode.
He gently brushes his lips against my neck before resting his chin on my shoulder, meeting my gaze in the mirror.
“I never realized just how much I was walking through life like a ghost until I saw you again,” he says softly. “Being aroundyou, getting to push your buttons, laugh with you, falling in love with you all over again has me feeling like I’m truly living again.”
I squeeze his hand resting on my stomach. “You were the Christmas wish I never let myself dream of again, but I’m glad we’re here now.”
