Sebastian:Careful, Olivia.
Sebastian:If you’re trying to find out how ungentlemanly I can be, keep going. You’ll learn fast.
My stomach flips. Isheflirting back withme?Good grief.I stare at the screen, while my pulse drums in my ears.Did I really just accidentally flirt with my boss?My brother’s best friend. A man who’s supposed to be all structure and discipline and perfectly pressed uniforms. And yet… I can practically hear the low rumble of his voice in my head, that dry, confident edge that makes everything sound like a dare. My fingers tighten around the phone. What the hell am I supposed to say back?God, you’ve really lost your touch, Olivia.Too many tragic dates have dulled your spark, or maybe this one message just set every single nerve alight.
“What are you smiling at?” Isla’s voice cuts clean through my internal meltdown. I jolt so hard, I nearly drop the damn thing.
“Huh? I’m—uh—just something Amelia texted me.” Her eyebrow arches, so I force a laugh. “She sent me a meme. You know, teacher humour. Real funny stuff.”
She smiles, still clearly unconvinced, but too polite to pry. Imogen, on the other hand, never met a boundary she didn’t leapfrog. “So,” she starts, passing Joseph his towel, “how’s this nanny gig going?”
“Babysitting,” I correct, maybe a little too fast.
“Right. Babysitting,” Imogen says, exchanging a knowing look with Isla.
I toss my braid over my shoulder and focus on Joseph splashing in front of me. “It’s going great, actually. Teddy’s really cute. We’ve finally gotten a routine down. He’s quiet, but I think he’s actually starting to come out of his shell.” My chest softens just thinking about his pinky promises and tiny smiles. “He’s a good kid.”
“And the father?” Isla’s tone is pure mischief.
“What about him?” Xavier pipes up from behind his sunnies, pretending not to listen but clearly listening.
I roll my eyes so hard, it might count as cardio. “He’s fine. Broody. Predictable. Allergic to small talk.”
Imogen grins, leaning back in her chair. “So your type, then.”
I snort. “Please. If I wanted a man who speaks in grunts, I’d just date a farm animal.”
Xavier gestures lazily toward the paddocks. “You’re surrounded by eligible options. Take your pick.”
“God, you’re all insufferable.” I take a long sip from my water bottle to hide my smile. “He’s just my boss. Who cares?”
Imogen tilts her head thoughtfully. “Funny. From what I’ve seen, Sebastian doesn’t seem broody at all. Quiet, sure, but he’s more upbeat than that.”
“Yeah, well,” I say lightly, shrugging, “maybe it’s a façade.” My voice dips lower in my head.Or maybe he just doesn’t like me.
Imogen hums, not buying it for a second. “I dunno,” she says thoughtfully, tossing her towel onto the chair beside her. BeforeI can come up with a decent comeback, or better yet, steer this away from my boss, Isla slides her sunglasses down her nose.
“How long is this gig for? What are you going to do when the kids go on school holidays in December?”
My heart dips a little.
“I don’t know yet,” I admit finally. “Sebastian’s supposed to have some time off work, so… guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.”
Imogen lifts a brow, lips twitching. “Well, maybe he’ll at least hand you the steel.”
I raise a dubious brow at her. “Hah. You’re lucky I like you, Price.”
Harrison perks up. “Huh? What about me?”
“Not you. The better Price, obviously.” Imogen jabs a thumb, grinning.
I huff out a laugh and shove my phone into my bag before I do something irrational. Like reread his message. Because I definitely didn’t just blush over a man who calls me Little Mitchell and parents his kid like a pro, and pretends not to like watching Disney movies. I bet he’d secretly cry at them. I shouldn’t smile at the thought, but even surrounded by family chaos and teasing, it feels likesomethingis humming beneath the noise.
Something I probably shouldn’t want as much as I do.
16
Sebastian
