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“Oh, I went to your place first.”
Sebastian’s face is blank, so I tack on, “We had plans. You were going to help me look at condos and apartments.”
“Shit. I totally forgot.” He rubs his face with his hand. “I’m sorry about that.”
“No worries. Maybe you can still help another time?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
It would be great to have another perspective from someone who isn’t getting a massive payday if I do purchase something, and Sebastian is smart and easy to be around.
We’re quiet for a minute, but then Sebastian questions, “But how did you know to find me in the locker room?”
“Oh, I met your sister earlier when I knocked at your place. She thought you’d be there.”
Sebastian’s entire body tenses up. “Oh?” His voice is laced with concern. Shit. That’s not good.
“I met her only for a minute.” I really don’t want to get punched in the face tonight, especially by a guy I thought was becoming a friend.
“She seem okay?” His eyes are distant, staring somewhere else entirely.
“Yeah.” I don’t really know how to answer that question. She was shy and standoffish, but she was also sweet and funny. Can’t forget beautiful, too.
“Okay.” He cups his pint with both hands, without moving the glass to his mouth. “Just worried about her. She’s going through some stuff right now,” he slurs a bit.
“I bet she’s going to be okay.” I slap him on the back to reassure him, but I’m sure the words sound empty.
“Yeah, you’re right. Just a little lost.”
“Yeah, she probably needs to focus on something.”
“Not men,” Sebastian rushes to add, drawing his eyebrows together.
“Not men.” I put my hands up in surrender. I did not mean me, or even a person for that matter. “I meant like a hobby or a cause or something,” I clarify.
He seems to think over my words for a few minutes before adding a simple, “Yeah.”
The bar is lively, but our mood isn’t since I ruined it by bringing up his sister. Except I thought so, but Sebastian starts cracking up, giggling like a schoolgirl beside me.
“Man, tonight was awesome. Did you see her face?” he asks for the hundredth time. “The best night I have had in a while.” He thrusts his hands up in the air.
Agreed. “Same for me, man.”
Sebastian smiles. “Thanks for getting traded. I know it sucks to move, but I’m happy you are here.”
“Me too,” I say, meaning my words. Boston has been great so far, and Sebastian has been so welcoming. It’s nice to know I already have a friend in the city. I don’t say any of that, though. We clink our pints together and chug the cold beer instead.
And that’s the story of how I became best friends with Sebastian, and how I successfully managed to stay away from his sister. The end.
Chapter Five
Present Day
Scarlett
I’m stressed, but in the best way. I have so many things on my plate right now, I need to upgrade to a damn serving platter.
I run a nonprofit, the Good WIN Foundation, with my younger brother, Sebastian, that serves women in need in the Greater Boston area. We have a few projects we concentrate on throughout the year, and right now it’s our busy season. Extra busy season.
