“Who was the kid?” Sebastian asked, settling back in his chair. “Looked pretty excited to meet you.”
My heart did a little skip of excitement, my brain screaming, “See, Wyatt’s not that great!”
Though what was one starstruck hockey fan compared to the circles Sebastian typically moved in?
“Just some kid. No big deal.”
Sebastian’s eyebrow arched. “Taylor, he practically bounced out of here. That wasn’t ‘no big deal.’” His expression grew thoughtful. “For what it’s worth, I’ve watched a lot of politicians work crowds, trying to connect with their constituents, and almost all of them look like they’re performing. The kid knew that, and responded accordingly.”
I felt my cheeks flush. “I don’t know about that.”
“Well, I do. It’s literally my job to recognize these things. Authenticity can’t be taught, Tay. People respond best when they feel someone is genuine.”
I ducked my head, fighting back a grin that was way too wide. Having someone like Sebastian—a man who worked side by side with the people literally running our country—tell me that I was good at connecting with people?
That hit differently than it would have coming from someone else.
I might also have a praise kink when it came to this man.
But yeah, both things could be true.
“Yeah, well …”
“Yeah, well, nothing. Own it.”
I wasn’t good at accepting compliments. Never had been.
I dipped my chin to indicate his phone, which was lying face down on the table next to mine. “Everything go okay with your call?”
“Remember that meeting I told you about last night?”
Sebastian was supposed to have lunch tomorrow with some important civil rights attorney and a woman from the ACLU to discuss strategies to combat book bans Republicans were hell-bent on enacting in schools across the country.
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Turns out there was a scheduling snafu, and the guy I’m supposed to meet with is in Kennebunkport this week for a family thing instead. His office asked if it’d be possible to meethim there on Thursday.” He let the statement hang between us, his eyes on mine.
It took me a minute to catch up.
Sebastian wasn’t flying back to D.C. Instead, he was heading to Kennebunkport—less than an hour from my house.
“You’re coming to Maine?” I blurted.
He nodded, his fingers drumming against the table. “I am. But the thing is, I don’t really know the area …” He trailed off, his eyes meeting mine, his expression soft and unguarded. “So I was wondering if maybe you’d want to show me around. If you’re not too busy with pre-season training or whatever.”
My skin tingled as the realization settled over me—I would get to spendrealtime with Sebastian, not just a couple of hours locked away in a hotel room. He might even get to see my house, meet my friends … see what my life looked like, not just the stupid endorsement stuff.
Sebastian’s gaze shifted to where my arm lay on the table, goosebumps on full display. A slow smile spread across his face. “I take it that’s a yes?”
“Fuck yes.” I nodded eagerly, wanting nothing more than to grab hold of his hand, but that felt dangerous in this space full of strangers. I curled my fingers instead to keep myself from reaching for him.
His brows furrowed before smoothing back out. “You’re allowed to touch me. Friends show affection with each other.”
I didn’t know why his words affected me the way they did. We’d shared secrets and confidences … and our bodies. We had history. Once, he’d been my best friend. But now? Despite this time together, I didn’t know what I’d call us.
I swallowed. “Is that what we are then? Friends?”
He leaned closer and whispered, “Since I had my tongue in your ass this morning, I think it’s safe to say that, yes, we’re friends.”
