Sarah's smile drops. "Sebastian Michael Montgomery."
"I know, I know. I fucked up." I run a hand through my hair. "Then I found out we'd be working together, and things got awkward, and then she needed someone to come with her on this trip because of Ethan and Olivia, and I—"
"Wait." She holds up a hand. "You're telling me this whole thing is supposed to be fake?"
I wince. "It started that way, yeah."
"Started?" Her eyebrows rise.
"It's not fake anymore." I turn back to the stove, moving bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. "Not anymore. At least, not for me."
"And for her?"
"I think... I think she feels the same way." I grab more eggs from the fridge. "When we're alone, it doesn't feel like pretending. It feels real. It feels right."
She's watching me with a mix of concern and amusement. "So you went from ghosting this girl to falling for her in the time span of what, two weeks?"
"I think I started falling for her even before the one-night stand," I admit quietly.
"Classic Sebastian," she sighs. "You know, for someone so good at physical risks, you're remarkably chicken shit when it comes to emotional ones."
"Thanks for the analysis, Dr. Phil."
She laughs. "Look, all I'm saying is, you've clearly got a good thing going here. Don't fuck it up with your commitment issues or whatever damage Dad left you with. Last night I saw how you looked at her, and how she looked at you. It looked like the real deal."
"I just..." I lower my voice further. "I don't want to be a rebound from her ex. Or worse, for this to still be fake and still just using me to make him jealous. I want to be sure she wants me for me, not as a prop in some revenge fantasy."
And that's when I hear it—the faintest creak on the stairs.
I turn, but there's no one there. Must have been my imagination.
"I think you're overthinking this," Sarah says, oblivious. "From what I've seen, she's as into you as you are into her. But if you're worried, just talk to her. Ask her where her head's at."
"The pancake batter's ready," Addie announces, sliding the bowl toward me. "And for the record, Charlie doesn't seem like she's faking anything. She looks at you like you hung the moon."
I stare at my niece.
"Thanks, kid, but I thought you were listening to your music?" I ruffle her hair, earning an eye roll. "Now help me with these pancakes."
By the time I've got a decent spread laid out, the rest of the house is waking up. Richard appears first, praising the "incredible smell" and helping himself to some coffee. Margaret follows, then Emily, who raises her eyebrows at me with a knowing smirk
Everyone grabs plates, piling them high with food, but there's still no sign of Charlie. I frown, looking toward the stairs.
"Charlie not up yet?" I ask, trying to sound casual.
Emily snorts into her coffee. "Yeah, I bet she's exhausted after last night."
Margaret looks up, fork paused halfway to her mouth. "Why would she be tired?"
"We were just up late," I say quickly, shooting Emily a warning look. "I'll go check on her, make sure she gets some breakfast before it's all gone."
I take the stairs two at a time, suddenly eager to see her. Maybe Sarah's right—maybe I am overthinking everything. Maybe what's between us is as real for her as it is for me.
I knock softly on the bedroom door. "You up, Shortcake?"
No answer.
I push the door open to find the bed empty but rumpled. The bathroom door is cracked, and I can hear water running. I lean against the doorframe, watching Charlie brush her teeth.
