His face is slightly flushed from the warmth, and while listening to Noah, he bites his lower lip, distracted.
Then, without thinking, he brushes a strand of hair from his forehead… and glances toward me.
And catches me staring.
The corner of his mouth curves into a subtle, knowing smirk.
Got you, it says without a word.
And instead of looking away, I hold his gaze.
I just nod and smile back, feeling something warm stir in my chest.
It’s not familiar. But it’s not unpleasant, either. Just… new.
Turns out I was right, itisgoing to be a good night.
And even without Maddie here, something unexpected settles over me:
I feel good.
Really good.
SEBASTIAN
I’m really glad I said yes to Remi’s invitation.
Seeing Anne again hit me harder than I expected, so much so that, for a moment, I felt completely overwhelmed.
But the second we hugged, it was as if no time had passed at all.
The tension just... melted away.
That familiar hint of lavender, the warmth of her arms around me, the way she held me with such quiet, unwavering affection: I didn’t need words to know our friendship still had a future.
What we had wasn’t lost.
It had just been waiting.
Sure, on the surface, Anne seems more grown up now, more composed, more confident, but the moment she started talking, there she was: the same whirlwind I’ve always known.
Part fierce pragmatist, part unfiltered joy.
Long black hair, that mischievous fringe, and those deep brown eyes that always seemed to read me too well,
I glance at her now, sitting beside me, and for a moment, I’m struck by how beautiful she is.
Even more than I remembered
“You look amazing, Anne. Honestly, your boyfriend’s a lucky guy,” I say with a smile.
She waves it off like it’s nothing, then places a hand on my shoulder and looks me straight in the eye.
“Look who’s talking! Seb, you’ve always been handsome, but now, damn, you’re actually sexy.”
Yep.
Definitely the same Anne.
