Ignoring the spike of white-hot jealousy, I reminded myself he and I were just friends. And that he was the world’s biggest flirt. I had to get used to seeing him with other women.
Feeling awkward about approaching, I hovered for a minute, wondering what to do.
Then I heard Jan’s voice in my head telling me that Sebastian asked me to lunch, and I should pull up my big-girl knickers and walk over there!
Adjusting my backpack, I tried to infuse casual into my stride. I wasn’t sure I was successful, but I was pleased my smile felt natural as I stopped at the table.
Sebastian looked at me before I could even say hi. He grinned broadly. “You came.”
My attention flicked to the girl who stared at me with undisguised distaste. I gave her a small smile because I was incapable of being rude unless absolutely provoked. Then I turned to Sebastian. “You thought I wouldn’t?”
“I don’t know. You’re still an enigma.” He motioned to the pretty blond. “This is …”
She frowned. “Hermione.”
“Parents big Harry Potter fans?” I asked.
Hermione curled her lip. “What do you think?”
Sebastian’s brows pinched together. “Well, Hermione, my friend is here, so …”
“Are you two …” She gestured between us.
I opened my mouth to say no, but Sebastian cut me off. “About to have lunch? Just the two of us? Yes. Thanks so much. Nice to meet you, though.”
She grimaced and strode off without saying goodbye.
“Sorry.”
“Lily, please sit. And no need to apologize.” Sebastian shook his head. “Why are some women like that? She was nice until you appeared.”
Chuckling, I sat down at the table, dumping my backpack at my feet. “I’d like to think most of our generation has evolved past catty competitiveness, but it still exists.” I snorted. “How the heck do you forget the nameHermione?”
Sebastian laughed, abashed. “She came up to me and introduced herself so quickly. Said she followed me on socials and always wanted to meet me. Didn’t know I was so famous,” he muttered.
“My sister googled you.” I winced in apology. “She told me you have quite a few followers.”
“Not of my doing. Now and then some tabloid or magazine will do an article on the royal family or something repulsive like a list of the best- and worst-looking members of the royal family. It’s pretty bloody awful when someone you care about is on the worst. Anyway, I get a flood of new followers from those things.”
I’d never really paid attention to tabloids or lists like those, but I couldn’t imagine someone listing me as the worst-looking member of my family on a public forum. “That’s atrocious.”
“I know. Thankfully it doesn’t happen all that often. My family aren’t exactly black sheep, but we stay away from a lot of public events and only attend the musts. Weddings, funerals. Ascot. That sort of thing.” His expression hardened as he looked away. “But that might change.”
I was about to ask why when he tapped the menu in front of me. “Choose something.”
Going with the change of subject, I picked a sandwich and salad.
“Is that what you really want or what you think you should eat in front of me?” he asked bluntly.
Taken aback by the question, I replied quietly, “It’s what I really want. Why would you ask that?”
Sebastian pressed his lips together, then sighed before explaining, “I notice you seem a little self-conscious about your body and I know you talk about it on your podcast.”
My cheeks burned. “Okay?”
“I … first, you should know you’re absolutely gorgeous just as you are, and you have no bloody reason to be self-conscious.”
My cheeks burned even hotter.
