“Don’t say you’re sorry,” he said, his expression easing. “You and Bruno deserve better than to be abandoned that way. Opal too. I wouldn’t dothat.”
“I know,” I said softly. It was nice to hear that from someone other than my therapist, mom, or Luciano. “I’m sure she was so proud of you. You were a great son, and you’ll make a great dogdad.”
He glanced at the movie screen. “How’s yourfood?”
I wanted to probe further about his relationship with her, but I let him change the subject. “Good,” I said. “Really good, Sebastian. It’s not too good to be true, isit?”
He smiled. “Tony’s makes a mean spaghetti andmeatballs.”
“That’s not what Imean.”
“Iknow.”
“My guard is down. You know me now, better than anyone else at the office—better than anyone lately, aside from my family andLuciano.”
He sat forward, brushing grass off his hands. “Is that a badthing?”
I tried to configure my thoughts in a way that wouldn’t offend him. I didn’t want to be rude or skeptical or accusatory. I also didn’t want to trust blindly and end up in another Neal situation. “This isn’t a gameanymore.”
“This was never a game for me, Georgina. I was scared for my job. I still am. It was neverpersonal.”
It was either the best or worst moment to bring up my talk with Vance. The date had gone from simulation to reality, and that meant I had more to lose. I wasn’t entirely sure Sebastian would understand if I told him what I knew, but Iwassure I didn’t want this night to end here andnow.
“Can we really go from hating each other to dating each other?” Iasked.
“Justin’s convinced it’s the best way to doit.”
“Justin sure has a lot to say aboutit.”
“If he were here, he’d be handing me a spaghetti noodle right aboutnow.”
I laughed, spinning my bangles around my wrist. I wasn’t in the habit of discussing a kiss before it happened. I couldn’t decide if that made things more or lessawkward.
Sebastian set his empty dish aside. “All done?” He piled my plate on top of his, and he moved closer, dropping his eyes to my mouth. “I’m actually pretty annoyed with myself that I’m not your only, and not even your first date thisweek.”
I shivered, both excited and nervous at the prospect of finally kissing him. “But you were the bestone.”
“You cold?” He took the blanket from my lap and wrapped it around my shoulders. Pulling me closer by the edges of it, he kissed my cheek and whispered, “For the record, I never hated you. But if you thought that, I’d like to make it up toyou.”
If anything, my shivering increased with his words. “How?” I askedbreathlessly.
“Candy.” He released me and looked into the picnic basket. “What’s your favorite go-to chocolate moviesnack?”
His nearness had stolen my wits. I pulled the blanket closed around me and tried to think straight. “You won’t find it inthere.”
“Tryme.”
“100Grand.”
He glanced up, blinking at me. “Are you kidding? Whose favorite candy bar is 100Grand?”
I shrugged. “There’s something about that crispy rice and caramelcombo.”
“Well.” The contents of the basket crinkled as he sorted through them. “I don’t have that, but it’s okay. I’ve got something evenbetter.”
I twisted my lips. “I’ll be the judge ofthat.”
He pulled out a Butterfinger. “If you like crispy, this is the one. The crumbly peanut butter flakes . . .” He groaned. “Nearly as good assex.”
