Page 25 of Line Change

“For now,” Hunter says.

It’s not that I wouldn’t be happy with being more than her friend, but now that I’m probably going back home at the end of the season for good, it wouldn’t be fair on her to start dating now, if she even wants me, and then leave in five or six months.

“I’ve tried to ask her out before, multiple times. She said no. I even went to that bloody speed dating event last year,” I say.

Hunter and Wes laugh.

I was walking out of the locker room after a workout when I overheard her telling another staff member about where she and Becca were going that night. I shouldn’t have gone, I know that now, but past Sebastian didn’t.

“I’m sorry, sir. This is a private event,” the woman sitting at the table at the entrance of the bar tells me.

“I’m not here for the event. Just one of your participants.” I glance around, searching for her. For Sutton. I know she’s here.

“There she is,” I say, shooting a cheeky grin at Sutton as I attempt to walk around the check-in table and over to where she and Becca are standing by the bar.

“I’m sorry, sir, the bar is closed for the next two hours for a private event.”

“Sebastian,” Sutton barks out.

She grabs her glass of wine and stalks over to where I’m in a staring contest with the event organizer. I know she’s doing her job, but if she’d just let me by so I could talk to Sutton. Convince her this is not how she wants to spend her Friday night. If I could talk to her alone. Plead my case.

As she comes my way, I take her in, and fuck me, is she radiant tonight. She always is, but tonight she’s even more so. She’s wearing a long V-neck navy dress, with flowy sleeves and a slit that goes halfway up her thigh, and black ankle boots. Her blonde hair is curled and loose down her back. I wonder if it’s as soft as it appears. I want to peel her out of her dress, kiss all down her body …

“What are you doing here? How did you know I was here?” Sutton asks.

“The walls have ears, love.” I wink. Now or never. “You want to date someone, I’m available. Why are you wasting a Friday night speed dating?” I hold out my arms, hoping maybe she’ll agree, to put me out of my misery.

“I told you I can’t date you,” she hisses.

“One date, that’s all I’m asking for.” I hold up a finger.

“No. Go home, Sebastian.”

“I can’t do that, love,” I tell her even as my heart breaks.

She huffs at me before stalking away. I turn to Becca, raising my eyebrows, silently pleading for her to help, to talk to Sutton, anything. Unfortunately, she gives me a little shake of her head before following Sutton over to the bar.

Only one thing left to do. “Sign me up,” I say to the organizer.

She quirks her eyebrows at me before taking my money.

“Be there for her. You never know what will happen,” Wes says, pulling me out of the memory.

I nod, turning back to the window.

When we land in Orlando, hours later, I rush off the plane, grab my suitcase, and head to my SUV to make the short drive back to my condo. Eventually, I’m making my way up to my front door, unlocking it, and tiptoeing inside. The dark apartment leads me to think Sutton is asleep, so I carry my suitcase farther inside, not tempting fate that the wheels won’t squeak.

“Hey you,” Sutton says when I round the corner into the dark kitchen.

I almost jump out of my skin, putting a hand to my chest and turning to the woman in question, who is standing in my kitchen, her hair mussed like she just woke up. She’s dressed for bed in an oversized shirt and a pair of shorts.

“Hey, love.” I smile. “Almost gave me a heart attack. I thought you’d be asleep.”

“Sorry. I fell asleep on the couch for a while. I was trying to wait up for you, but I’ve been so tired lately.” She punctuates that statement with a yawn, her hand falling to her stomach, and I track the movement. I wonder if she’s showing yet. She’s been wearing baggy shirts and dresses, so it’s not like I can tell, and I can’t exactly ask even though I really want to. Get it together, Bash. “I woke up a few minutes ago and was debating what to do.”

I hang my suit jacket over the barstool, loosening my tie. She sets a glass of water in front of me, and I take a sip from it before meeting her eyes.

“Thanks. Did everything with the movers go okay?”