Cecilia’s pov
I watched Sebastian’s eyes drift back to his computer screen, then up to again.
"Miss Moore," he said with a slight smile, "this is the first ti you’ve waited for after hours."
I settled onto the sofa in his office.
Who stays late at work voluntarily? Especially with their boss?
But technically, I was off the clock now.
In my head, I’d already switched him from "intimidating CEO" to "guy I’m emotionally entangled with."
"Alpha, less talking, more typing," I said.
Sebastian’s lips curved upward.
"Yes . Looks like my productivity’s under review."
I stared at him, speechless.
I gave up engaging and popped in my earbuds, diving into my phone.
Only later did it hit how bold it was to openly scroll TikTok in the CEO’s office.
Sebastian went back to work.
He finished up quickly, closed his laptop, and walked over.
Seeing zoned in on videos with my back to him, he leaned down and pulled one earbud from my ear.
"Ready to go?" His voice slid into one ear while music pumped through the other.
Goosebumps flared on my neck.
I turned automatically.
Our faces were inches apart.
A single knock broke the silence.
Sawyer walked in, then froze.
He inhaled sharply, like he’d walked into a scene he was never ant to see.
Sebastian turned to face him, eyes narrowing.
Before Sebastian could unleash his signature death glare, Sawyer dropped his gaze, patted his pockets, and started backing out like a sitcom character mid-scene.
"Uh... where are Alpha’s car keys? Weird. Thought I left them right here..."
He turned and bolted like he’d just walked in on a live cri scene.
I bit my lip.
The keys were never with Sawyer.
They’d been sitting on Sebastian’s desk the whole ti.
Nice try. So much for the whole "searching for keys" act.
Sebastian didn’t even blink. He just led toward the door.
"What about Sawyer?" I asked, glancing toward the Sawyer’s office.
Sebastian turned my face back with a finger.
"He’s on a very important mission. Let’s not interrupt."
I glanced down at the keys dangling from his fingers.
I hadn’t ant to ss with their usual rhythm.
But...oops.
Sorry, Sawyer. Didn’t an to hijack your carpool schedule.
At 6:30, the sumr sun was still harsh. The sunset painted the sky in bold oranges and reds.
Sebastian drove while I sat in the passenger seat.
I planned to visit my parents tomorrow to drop off the London gifts and talk to my mom.
The lies were starting to feel too heavy.
My phone pinged with a text.
After yesterday’s photos, even the sound made my chest tighten.
Sebastian slowed the car, glancing my way. "Want to check it for you?"
"I’ve got it," I said quickly.
I wasn’t that broken. Not yet.
Still, I was more careful this ti.
I checked the number before opening the ssage.
Unknown.
But the tone was unmistakable:
[Cecilia, you cannot have this baby. We need to talk. I’m at your apartnt. I’ll co down when you arrive.]
Damn it.
My temples pulsed.
I was angry--and annoyed.
How do you even argue with soone who’s just... stupid?
Stay calm.
Don’t waste emotional energy on idiots.
"Looks like spam," Sebastian comnted, eyes still on the road.
I deleted the ssage fast. "Yeah, just stupid spam. Gave a jump."
I powered off the phone and silenced it, just in case Xavier decided to start a texting marathon.
Wait. He said he was at the apartnt.
"Actually... should we eat out tonight?"
Sebastian gave a knowing look but didn’t push. "Sure. Where to?"
I nad the first restaurant that popped into my head.
Sebastian added it to the GPS.
After dinner, I suggested checking out the open-air plaza nearby.
We wandered from the restaurant to the square, passing live music, food trucks, and a bunch of older ladies doing Zumba under the string lights.
At 8, we watched the fountain light show.
The music was dramatic, the water jets lit up, and at least three couples were spinning in slow motion for Instagram.
It was only 9 PM...
"Wanna try the ring toss?"
"Ice cream’s on ."
"How about one of those bubble guns that light up? I bet you never had the sparkly kind."
Sebastian played along, obviously aware I was stalling.
And he let .
Until 10:30.
"Cece," he said, arms full of a glowing bubble blaster and a stuffed wolf, voice warm with amusent, "they’ve got a mini train over there."
He tilted his head toward the corner of the plaza, where a tiny ride looped in lazy circles. Toddlers squealed. Parents took selfies.
I squinted at the thing. "You cannot possibly fit in those."
His smile deepened, eyes glinting. "Probably not. But if watching try buys you ten more minutes of peace, I’d say it’s worth it."
I stared at him. He wasn’t teasing. Just offering a way to keep stalling, without saying it out loud.
I sighed, softening. "Fine. Your noble sacrifice can wait. Let’s go ho."
At this point, I was just hoping Xavier had given up and gone ho.
We drove back.
As we walked toward the elevator, my nerves climbed again.
"Why are you hesitant to go ho?" Sebastian handed the stuffed wolf.
I clutched it like a shield.
"I’m not hesitant. Why would I be?"
"Period cramps?"
"No."
"Then what is it?"
"There’s nothing wrong. I just really wanted dinner and a night out. You had fun too, didn’t you?"
We reached the elevator.
I relaxed a little and pressed the button.
The doors slid open and there he was.
Xavier stood inside, arms crossed, wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt.
He looked like he’d been there for hours.
Tired. Irritated.
His eyes opened slowly.
Then he saw us.
Laughing.
Carrying a light-up bubble gun and a stuffed wolf.
His jaw clenched. His face flushed a deep, furious purple.
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