He gave me a warm smile. “Don’t be. I have some friends out there. I’ll just party with them.”
Despite his words, I could see the melancholy he tried to mask. I wondered if Zac longed for a normal family Christmas Day.
“And I’ll be back in Edinburgh for New Year. You’re coming to our party, right?”
I frowned. “What party?”
“Bas didn’t ask you?” Zac scowled. “We always come back to the city for Hogmanay and host a party. The Royal Mile is usually heaving with the Hogmanay street party and we can watch it from the rooftop garden.”
A strange ache scored across my chest. Why hadn’t Sebastian invited me? I usually spent New Year with my family and extended family, but … it was nice to be invited.
“I’m inviting you.” Zac must have seen something on my face. “I want you there.”
A pity invite. Wonderful. “Thanks.”
“Lily, what’s the name of that Christmas movie with Kurt Russell?” Maddie asked from my other side. “I’m trying to convince Shaun to watch Christmas movies with me via video call once we’re apart for the holidays. He’ll like that one, right?”
Trying not to laugh at Shaun’s less than convinced expression, I replied, “The Christmas Chronicles.”
“Oh, aye, that sounds right up my street,” Shaun deadpanned.
I laughed as Maddie shoved him playfully.
Harry and Sebastian returned with the drinks. Sebastian placed a glass in front of me. “Mojito for the lady,” he drawled, as he searched my face.
I muttered my thanks.
“Why didn’t you invite Lily to our Hogmanay party?” Zac asked accusingly.
Sebastian shot him an annoyed look as he settled into his seat but then his expression softened on me. “I was planning to,” he assured me. “I just haven’t seen you in person in ages.”
“It’s okay.” I trusted he was telling the truth.
“Will you come?”
“I’ll need to see. I usually spend Hogmanay with my family.”
“I’d really love for you to be there.”
I smiled and promised, “Then I’ll really think about it.”
The next hour passed a bit less awkwardly, though I was glad for the physical distance from Sebastian because it meant we were engaged in discussion as a group rather than one on one. Maddie and I wanted to buy a round, so I sneakily pretended to go to the restroom and stopped at the bar on my way back. The good-looking bartender finished up with a customer and ignored those who’d been waiting so he could serve me. Despite the dirty looks and muttered complaints from the other customers, it made me feel good and I couldn’t help my grin as I ordered our drinks.
The bartender smiled at me as he mixed the mojitos. “Those dimples are lethal.”
Oh, be still my heart, he had an Irish accent.
Buzzed from two mojitos, I flirted back. “Lethal how?”
The bartender chuckled, his eyes twinkling with interest. “My heart skipped a beat at the sight of them. They provoked a literal heart palpitation.”
I part groaned, part laughed. “What a line!”
He laughed, setting another drink on the counter. He’d opened his mouth to say something when he glimpsed over my shoulder and his grin fell.
I’d know why when a warm, familiar hand settled on my lower back and Sebastian leaned in, pressed to my side. He shot the bartender a tight-lipped smile and then looked down at me, his hand smoothing up my back. “Need help with the drinks?”
“Sure.” I forced myself not to tense against his touch. He smelled so bloody good, I could bury my nose in his throat and live there. Or just stare at his stupidly too handsome face. It was like staring into the sun. It burned to be this near him.
