“Oh, I know,” Sebastian said, stepping back slightly. “I’m only saying that the arrangement suits the two of you more than you’ll admit.” He dodged another punch. “In fairness, it’s almost convincing. The little one is attached to Beatrice.”
Edward stopped moving, long enough for Sebastian’s grin to sharpen.
“There it is,” Sebastian drawled. “That look. You’re besotted.”
Edward snorted. “With the child?”
“No. With Beatrice.”
He swung again. Hard.
Sebastian took the hit to the shoulder with a grunt. “Excellent. That is absolutely a yes.”
“It is not.”
“It absolutely is. Margaret is betting on it. I personally thought you’d last longer before falling apart.”
Edward dropped his hands. “Sebastian.”
Sebastian lifted both hands in surrender. “Fine. Fine. I’ll restrain myself.” Then, after a beat, “At least tell me why you look like someone rearranged your spine.”
Edward wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his wrist.
Beatrice had almost kissed him. Or he had almost kissed her. He still wasn’t sure which. He could still feel the ghost of that night—Beatrice’s breath, her nearness, the way her eyes had flicked to his mouth before she stepped back.
He cleared his throat. “There was… a moment.”
Sebastian’s grin returned full force. “Amoment.”
“Yes,” Edward snapped. “And no, nothing happened.”
“Not yet,” Sebastian sing-songed.
Edward reached for the water jug, fighting the urge to throw it at his friend. “You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re avoiding the subject.” Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest. “Tell me.”
Edward hesitated. Then, grudgingly, he shrugged. “She smiled.”
Sebastian blinked. “Is that… unusual?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’re doomed,” Sebastian declared. “You really are in trouble. What did you do?”
Edward looked away. “It wasn’t what I did. It was… how she looked at me.”
Sebastian leaned against the ropes. His mirth faded, replaced with something more thoughtful.
“You know, Ed,” he said quietly, “you’re married. Perhaps it’s time you let yourself want something out of the marriage you’ve found yourself in. Even if you didn’t plan it.”
Edward shut that down immediately. “It isn’t simple.”
“With you, it never is. Fine. We’ll circle back to your emotional inadequacies later.” Sebastian grabbed a towel. “For now, let’saddress the more pressing matter: the baby’s father. You’ve been quiet about it. Too quiet.”
Edward peeled off one glove with his teeth, his breathing ragged. “I think it’s Simon.”
Sebastian stilled. “Your cousin? The one who?—”
