“Nice try, love. But just to be safe, I think you’d better shower downstairs, I don’t trust you. For someone who’s new to all this, you seem a littletoofond of sleeping with a guy.”
He shuts the door with a playful sway of his hips, and I can still hear him laughing from the other side as I stand there, completely dazed and utterly smitten.
I’m about to give up and head for the other bathroom when the door swings open again. He peeks out just enough to flash that freckled, wicked nose of his… and a teasing glimpse of his smooth, tattooed shoulder.
“Oh, and one more thing,” he whispers, voice low and sultry, “if you behave… You might get your chance later.”
Then he winks and closes the door again.
I just stand there for a moment, grinning like a fool. One thing’s certain: tonight’s dinner is going to feel like torture. Because the only thing I’ll be able to think about… is dessert.
After a quick shower and slipping into dark navy trousers and a crisp white shirt, I join the others outside, my damp hair doing its usual wild thing no matter how hard I try to tame it.
Fortunately, I’ve still got a few clothes here in Sennen Cove, so I don’t have to drag much back and forth. Unlike Sebastian, who somehow manages to pack half his wardrobe into that infamous pink suitcase of his. I just hope he’s on time tonight… though, if past experience is anything to go by, Seb isn’t exactly known for getting ready in a hurry.
I take a sip of chilled white wine, trying to calm the flurry of nerves starting to stir in my stomach. We’re getting close to our dinner reservation, and despite all the comfort I feel around my family, there’s still something about bringing Sebastian fully into this world, this quiet, familiar life of mine, that leaves me slightly on edge.
But then, finally, he steps outside, and he’s so breathtaking that I’m fairly certain everyone at the table forgets to breathe for a second.
The sun-kissed flush on his cheeks brings out his freckles more than ever. His bright green eyes are subtly outlinedwith a touch of eyeliner, and his hair is swept back into that signature messy bun he always wears at concerts, effortless, but impossibly elegant.
Beneath a cropped leather jacket, he’s wearing a black satin top that skims his collarbones and hints at the delicate floral tattoos curling over his skin. His trademark black skinny jeans hug his long legs perfectly, accentuating the subtle curve of his hips and that perky little arse I’m more than a bit obsessed with.
He approaches the table a little shyly, scanning each of us for a reaction, as if bracing himself for disapproval. But he needn’t worry.
I’m completely stunned into silence, but it’s Maude, of all people, who breaks the spell.
“Bloody hell,” she says, deadpan. “Now I see how you turned my brother gay.”
“Maude!” I groan, burying my face in my hands, praying Sebastian didn’t take offence.
But he bursts out laughing, completely disarmed, and visibly more at ease.
Inside, I exhale a long, silent breath of relief.
Seb knows Maude is neurodivergent, that she can be unusually blunt without meaning any harm. But even when you’re prepared, her delivery can still catch you off guard. It does for me, too, more often than I care to admit.
But Sebastian takes it all in stride. More than that, he genuinely seems to accept and appreciate Maude exactly as she is. And that only makes me love him more.
Yes, love.
I haven’t said the words yet, not out loud, but there’s no question in my mind anymore.
Still, I feel the need to clarify, if only for myself.
“Just for the record,” I say, glancing at the group, “I’m not gay. I think I’m bisexual, if anyone still cares about labels.”
Naturally, Maude takes me entirely at face value.
“I definitely don’t believe in labels,” she replies, unfazed. “But I stand by what I said. You’re not bisexual. You’ve never liked a guy before, and I’d know, because you’ve told me about every single crush you’ve ever had. I think you’re gay for him.”
She points straight at Sebastian, who bursts into another fit of laughter, his eyes crinkling with delight. Mum watches him with the soft, glowing pride of someone who’s already adopted him into the family, and Ben just shakes his head slowly, his expression a perfect blend of fondness and mild exasperation, like he’s still trying to figure out what he’s gotten himself into.
“Okay, Maude…” I sigh, deciding to concede with a small shake of my head. “Fine. Your definition might be more accurate. But either way…”
I get up, walk over to Sebastian, and wrap my arms around him.
“This boy is taken.”
