I entertain myself with a very interesting speck of dirt on the wall, rubbing at it with the tip of my finger while they do their business behind me. Their public displays of affection never bothered me until now, and it’s not so much annoyance I feel as it is jealousy.
“You girls ready?” Malakai asks, finally releasing my best friend and I turn, finding her in his lap as he holds her glass of wine in one hand and his other strokes affectionate circles on her hip.
How could I forget it was Savannah’s homecoming tonight? I was dressed and ready for it, in a pretty emerald green dress that hugged every curve of my body. It was the whole reason I was here but then I started divulging information and I completely failed to recall the actual reason I came to the Estate in the first place.
We weren’t doing anything crazy, but Savvy wanted to have dinner and go dancing, so we obliged since we haven’t seen her in a few weeks. Sebastian’s sisteris a dancer, a very well-known and incredibly talented ballet dancer and she goes on tours around the US, putting on shows in the biggest venues for millions of people.
But she’s back now for at least six months so we’re going to celebrate her return.
“Yes!” Olivia smiles, downing the rest of her wine as she shimmies to get out of her husband’s lap and I finish off my own, getting to my feet and wobbling a little in the heels. Sebastian was also going to be there tonight, not like he’d miss his own sister’s welcome home party and nerves battle at my stomach, making the wine I’ve already consumed swirl relentlessly.
I’ll switch to water for a bit now, I don’t want to make an idiot out of myself or make a scene, which I know will happen if I drink any more wine.
Malakai has Dennis, his personal driver take us into the city, dropping us outside the luxury restaurant in the heart of downtown. Warm light spills out of the huge windows, the place packed with every table filled. It’s an impossible place to get a reservation at but of course Malakai was able to with his name alone. He likely had the restaurant cancel several reservations just to get us in.
I follow the couple into the establishment, sighing as the heat chases away the early spring chill that had settled over me. The smell of food and expensive wine permeates the air, mixed with the richer, smokier scent of the fire burning in the center of the room.
“Mr. Farrow,” The guy at front of house tips his head at Malakai and then at Olivia and me, “Your table is this way.”
I follow them quietly, the ball of anxiety in my stomach growing tighter until I see the large table at the back and realize we are the first to arrive. I’m quietly thankful for that, I’d rather be seated and prepared to see Sebastian and if I had a table of eyes on me, I’m not sure what would happen.
I can pretend all I like, and I’m fucking good at it but there’s no denying that the man unravels me.
We take our seats, and we give our drink order before we’re left alone again.
There’s an easy conversation between the three of us but I feel it the moment he enters the place. It’s like the air gets sucked out and I’m left fighting to get a breath in my lungs. His scent wraps around me as he comes to a stop behind my chair.
Why did I pick a seat that faced away from the room!?Rookie move, Willow.
“Late again,” Malakai quirks a brow at the man behind me, “Becoming a bit of a habit now.”
“I’m not fucking late,” Sebastian chuckles light heartedly, the delicious sound of it sending a buzz of electricity down my spine, “You’re just early.”
Keep it together.
I look over my shoulder, my teeth clamped painfullytogether as I take in his all-black ensemble, the shirt stretched over his thick muscles and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. It’s casual but sophisticated, but on Bast, it gives him an edge not many else can pull off. His blond hair is neatly styled but his face still bears the marks of whatever happened to him a week ago. His skin is a mix of blue and yellow, the bruising still looks angry, and his eye is bloodshot, but any swelling is gone. The cuts have scabbed over but the way he smiles would suggest there’s not a single thing wrong with him.
Olivia and Malakai must have already seen him in the week because they don’t even flinch at the state of his face.
“Willow,” He purrs my name, green eyes bouncing to me and sticking.
“Bast,” I break the eye contact first and turn in the seat, reaching for the water.
What was I thinking not going for a big glass of fucking wine? I needed it to dull this riot currently going off inside my stomach.
And to make it worse, Sebastian pulls out the seat beside me, folding his big deadly body onto the chair.
“You wear this dress for me?” He rumbles in a low tone, speaking only to me.
We play this game every time we go out and I wear a new dress.
‘Hey, Red, you wear this dress for me?’He’d ask.
‘Of course, baby, who else would I wear it for?’I’d reply and then we would laugh, and he’d touch me, and we’d go on with our evening, but I don’t have it in me to play with him tonight.
I feel the sting of tears and promptly get up, “Please excuse me,” I rush out as I snatch up my purse and move toward the restrooms.
Don’t be a baby,my mother’s scolding words follow me to the bathroom,no man will want a woman who cannot control her emotions. Smile, Willow, everyone is watching.
