When she turned, he was right there. Slowly, he rested his hands on the counter near her hips. Her sexy grin returned and she wound her arms around his neck, welcoming his kiss.
He could’ve stayed right there all day, making a study of how she felt and every sound of pleasure she made.
Her breath caught and she snuggled close to his chest. “We both have work.”
“One day soon, we won’t.”
She brushed her lips to his cheek. “A day to look forward to.” Then she ducked out of his arms and hurried to the front door, pausing just long enough to say farewell to Digby.
Seb watched her drive away, the weight of all he hadn’t told her pressing on him like a mountain. This wasn’t a game and it would work out. He wasn’t lying, just delaying the reveal. But as he sat down in the office, uneasiness crept in.
“Transparency,” he whispered to the lines of code on his monitors. “She’ll get it, hopefully before it’s too late.”
CHAPTER 9
The Pelican Pub was a far cry from the quiet manicured world of the Sterling estate or the small group setting of silent book club. Closed to the public until the festival planning meeting was over, the pub felt cavernous. Normally, Holly loved the upbeat, bustling energy of the place, but tonight she was on edge. Every laugh sounded like a challenge and every clinking glass felt like a countdown.
Seb still hadn’t shown up and the meeting was due to start in a few minutes. Something was up with him. Or maybe she was paranoid, letting old hurts creep back into her heart. At some point she had to start trusting again. Trusting beyond her close circle of friends.
Caution was smart—no one disagreed—but she was taking it to extremes and for the first time in years, feeling limited.
Because of Seb.
Well, specifically because of kissing Seb.
She sat with Vince at a small high-top table in the back of the room, her notebook open, though she hadn’t written a word. Members of the committee were gathered at other tables and nearby, she noticed Grace and her fiancé Calvindiscussing something intently. “Levi Garrison has new ideas,” she murmured to Vince.
He followed her gaze to the couple and sat up a little straighter. “That’s a good sign.”
Holly shook her head. “Did you make any progress on the Sterling feature today?”
“Aside from rumors that he moved here to court you?” Vince shrugged.
She smacked his shoulder. “Stop teasing.” At least she hoped he was teasing. But wasn’t that exactly why she’d returned the interview to her co-editor?
Reed stepped up to the stage and reached for the microphone just as Seb walked in. “Perfect timing.” The older man beamed at Seb. “Everyone, Seb Sterling. He’s our new neighbor over at the Marion estate. We’re glad you could make it.”
Seb waved and bobbed his chin, looking for the closest open chair. She noticed he’d shaved and dressed in a thermal Henley and jeans for the evening. The shirt hugged his defined arms and chest and she wished she was back in his kitchen, tucked in close.
“Ogling him only feeds the rumor mill,” Vince whispered.
Holly abruptly shifted her complete focus to Reed.
If only it had stayed there.
Her gaze drifted to Seb, watching him for any reaction as he listened to the updates and discussion. He seemed attentive, without giving away any reactions. The tension in his jaw likely wasn’t noticeable to anyone but her.
She liked that a bit too much.
A motion had been made to move the main stage this year and after a spirited debate, tradition won out. And for good reason. The proposed change would impact parking areas and impede traffic flow to Central Avenue.
Though the festival was all about the music, because it was a serious tourist draw, business owners extended hours and relied on the revenue boost of the three-day event.
“With that settled,” Reed said with a smile, “I’d like to confirm that we can use the area near the lighthouse for band parking again this year.”
He waited, but no one said anything.
“Mr. Sterling,” Reed prompted. “That’s your decision.”
