With a man who tucked the letter notifying him of that in a book that he hid in a drawer under some T-shirts.
A book written by his brother and inscribed with the words, ‘You’ll always be my hero, Sebastian. The world needs more men like you. Nicholas.’
“He’s the bravest person I’ve ever met.” I look at the screen. “He’s the best person I’ve ever known.”
“He sounds incredible, Tilly.”
My eyes glisten with tears. “I didn’t know a man like him existed.”
“When do I get to meet him?” Her tears give way to a smile.
“He doesn’t love me back.” A sob escapes with the words. “He broke up with me last week, Fran.”
Her hand jumps to her mouth. “Why would he do that?”
“I wasn’t what he wanted.” I rub at my forehead as my gaze falls to my bed and the blanket I’m sitting on. It’s the same blanket Sebastian wrapped around his waist the night we met. “I wasn’t the one for him.”
“Oh my God, Tilly!” Frannie screams as she darts to her feet. “Get out of there. There’s a man right behind you.”
I turn and look over my shoulder at the only man I’ll ever love.
He’s standing in the doorway of my bedroom. His eyes immediately lock on mine.
“You’re the one for me and I’m back to prove that I’m the one for you,” Sebastian says hoarsely. “I love you, Matilda.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Sebastian
I leftthe room so she can end the video call with her sister.
The world may see them as identical, but I could see immediately the differences in them.
Matilda is breathtakingly beautiful. Her sister is as well but Frannie’s eyes don’t share the same depth as her twin sister’s.
Her voice is different as well. Matilda’s soothes me. It offers me comfort.
Even with a blindfold on in a room filled with people, I would be able to tell the two of them apart.
I would know the woman I love just from the awareness that courses through my body when she’s near.
I feel her now so I turn from where I’m standing in the living room.
Her eyes rake me.
I shaved before I came over here. I put on a fresh pair of jeans and a black sweater I bought this afternoon.
I wanted to make a better impression than I did the first time she found me in her living room.
“I love you, Matilda,” I repeat the words I said to her just minutes ago. “I need you to know how much I love you.”
I want her to rush into my arms and repeat the words back to me, but she stands her ground. “I thought we were going to tell each other how we felt that night, but you left me.”
I reach out my hand to her. “Please come and sit with me. Let me explain.”
She does. She doesn’t touch my hand. Instead she sits on the edge of the sofa. It’s at least three feet from where I’m standing.
I don’t complain. I lower myself onto the leather and face her. “I was scared.”
