“Are you sure, Remi? Because I think they’re both wonderful. And Ben, he clearly loves all of you so much. He’s absolutely smitten with your mum.”
I press a kiss to his forehead and nod, certain.
“Oh, definitely. And I’m sure they like you a lot. Mum was looking at you like her heart could barely contain itself. Not that I blame her…”
I laugh softly, but then my voice takes on a more serious tone.
“And that makes me so happy, Seb, because I want you in my life. Fully. No conditions, no compromises.”
He leans in, resting his forehead gently against mine, and lets out a quiet, weighted sigh.
“Speaking of compromises… maybe it’s time we talk about going back to London,” Sebastian says softly. “I really needed this break after what happened at home, and I’m so grateful you haven’t pushed me to talk about it until now. But now thatwe’ve decided to be together, officially, we’ve got a few things to figure out. I need to be back at the conservatoire the day after tomorrow… and I need to start looking for a new agent.”
I study his expression carefully before replying.
“You’re sure about that, Seb? I mean… I know May didn’t exactly make the best impression, believe me, but after all those years working together, cutting ties can’t be easy.”
He pauses, then exhales slowly, eyes clouded with pain but steady.
“I’m sure, Remi. She outed me behind my back. She took something deeply personal, my right to come out to my parents on my own terms. And as if that wasn’t enough, she conspired with them to stop me. The three of them have been profiting from my work for years, while I’ve been left with scraps… I’m done. I’ve had enough.”
I reach for his hand, squeezing gently.
“I get it, sweetheart. And whatever you decide, I’m behind you all the way. I just want you to feel safe… and free.”
He strokes my cheek, his voice soft and steady.
“I know, Remi. And the same goes for me. What about your friends? Do they know about us? I haven’t checked my phone since I left home…”
“Only Ian,” I reply. “The others just know I came down to visit my mum in Sennen Cove. Francis knows I’m in love with you, but as far as he and the rest are concerned, you’re still in Stratford, not here, with me.”
I pull him gently into my lap, and he curls into me without hesitation. I begin tracing slow, calming circles on his back, feeling him melt against me.
After a moment, he speaks again, his voice thoughtful but resolute. “I’ve been thinking about it, and I really believe we should call Maddie together. Tell her everything, before shehears it from someone else. I don’t know if there’s any chance our friendship will survive this, but I owe her honesty.”
I don’t need time to consider. “I completely agree, Seb. I was going to suggest the same thing. Once we’ve spoken to her, we can tell the others we’re together. No more hiding.”
He nods against my shoulder, and I hold him a little tighter, proud of how far we’ve come and certain we’ll face whatever comes next, together.
But I feel him tense slightly, and a shadow flickers across his face.
“What if… What if they don’t accept us? I don’t want you to lose your closest friends because of me…”
I gently cup his face in my hands, making sure he meets my eyes, making sure he hears every word clearly, no room for doubt.
“They’re not just my friends anymore, Seb. They’re yours too. And don’t forget, Ian and Francis already know, and neither of them freaked out. Sure, Anne might need a little more time to wrap her head around it, but Jamie and Noah? They’re a couple, too. I’m counting on them to understand.”
“Yeah, but what if…”
I press a finger softly to his lips.
“No ‘what ifs’, love. Even though I’m hopeful, I’m prepared for any reaction. But I’m not backing down. Not now, not ever. Not when it comes to us. There’s nothing, and no one, that could make me question what we have. Got it?”
He shakes his head slowly, a shy smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Then he wraps his arms around my neck.
“I know how stubborn you are, Remi. Once you’ve made up your mind, there’s no stopping you.”
I grin and pull him closer. “Well, then you’d better believe it, because this time, I’ve made up my mind about you. And nothing matters more to me.”
