And what are you doing here?
“Don’t worry about it. I’m good. I started moving my stuff into my new house this weekend. The kitchen was finished on Friday, and the painter should be done on Tuesday.”
“Sounds like you had a lot of work done.”
Without asking, Sebastian sat in the chair in front of her desk. “Yeah, the house hadn’t been touched since it was built. I had the bathrooms and the kitchen remodeled and new hardwood floors put down.”
Sounded like an expensive endeavor.
“I wouldn’t have been able to have it all done at once, but Paul gave me a huge discount.”
She’d forgotten Seb’s brother-in-law owned his own business.
“You must be glad it’s done.”
“I’ve been sleeping on a twin-size air mattress with pink ballerina sheets in Regina’s living room for the past week. Glad doesn’t begin to describe how I feel.”
Liv couldn’t contain her laughter at the thought of Sebastian, who’d wrestled in college, sleeping on a twin mattress while covered with ballerina sheets.
“It beats sleeping outside with no mattress.”
“Not by much.” Leaning forward, Seb rested his arms on the desk. “Once I’m all moved in, I’m having a housewarming party.”
Would it be asking too much if he’d come in because he wanted Ocean View to provide the food for this party?
“Well, if you need the name of a great caterer, I might know of one.”
“I might take you up on that offer,” Seb replied with a smile.
Although the smile transformed him from the average-looking guy down the street to someone cute, it didn’t have the same effect on her as Matt’s smile.
“But I didn’t stop in to talk about my house. I wanted to see if you had any plans for tonight.”
Yesterday, Emma mentioned that he’d inquired about her relationship status. Until now, though, Liv didn’t realize she’d never asked Emma what she told him.
She always felt bad when she turned down a man’s invitation to go out—well, unless the man asking was the Worm. Now wasn’t any different.
Liv bit down on her lip while thinking of the nicest way to turn Seb down. Although their relationship had ended, she truly didn’t have any hard feelings toward him.
“Sorry, I have plans with Emma. And I also have a boyfriend.”
“So what? Since when does being in a relationship stop a person from going out with a friend?”
“Well, it doesn’t.”
“So what’s the problem?”
I don’t believe you’re asking because you see me as a friend.
“Is it safe to assume you’re still seeing Matt Sherbrooke? I knew he looked familiar that day outside your apartment, but I didn’t know that’s who he was until Regina showed me the pictures of you and him playing mini golf.”
Unsure of the point Seb intended to make, Liv nodded.
“How long do you really think things between you will last?” Despite his compassionate tone, the question stung. “Someone like him isn’t going to be happy here year-round, and we both know you’ll never move.” Seb’s fingers curled around her hand. “And let’s be honest, celebrities aren’t known for lasting relationships.”
Why did he have to bring up all the arguments she’d managed to bury?
“Have dinner with me as just a friend, nothing more, while he’s gone.”
