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Turning in my chair, I gazed up at the interruption with wide eyes.
“Sebastian?”
15
SCARLETT
Sebastian, the third handsome man from the Gala, stood next to my table with a slight smile spread across his thin lips.
His blond hair was slicked back much like it had been at the party, although today he was dressed in a cream knit sweater with a light blue shirt collar peeking out around his neck.
“Scarlett, correct?”
“Uh, yes. Yes, that’s me.” I nodded quickly, fighting to keep my gaze level with his and away from the dark jeans that hugged every inch of his slim, muscular legs.
“Can I sit?” He indicated to the chair across from me but before I could word my answer, he settled into the seat and relaxed back. “I had heard you were a Graphic Designer. You have some talent.”
He spoke so calmly and there was an air of command about him, like he already knew everything I could say in response.
“Thank—thank you. My clients think so at least,” I laughed nervously.
“Don’t do that,” Sebastian scolded gently. “Don’t downplay your talent. I saw it as soon as I walked in here, you have a fantastic eye for detail.”
Breath caught in my throat, and I pressed my fingers flat to my keyboard. He was attractive, even more so than the fleeting moment we had spent together at the Gala. Now that he was here, the rest of the cafe seemed to fade away into nothing as if the only point of attention that existed for me now, was him.
“Habit,” I offered lamely, and a prickle of shyness swept across my neck. Sebastian was exactly what I had pictured in my mind any time I thought about big-city billionaires. Calm and collected, devilishly handsome, and able to command everyone around them with just a look. He was completely different from Lucas and Danny, and yet that intrigued me even more.
“A habit you should break,” Sebastian said calmly. He glanced away from me and toward the barista, so I dared to let my gaze wander. Over his broad shoulders and strong chest, all the way down to the less-than-subtle bugle that existed at his crotch. When my eyes darted back up, Sebastian was gazing straight at me, and warmth flushed my cheeks.
Had he noticed?
If he had, nothing about his demeanor indicated such. “How long have you been designing?”
“About six years? I studied with an online course and since then, it’s all been about putting myself out there. Luckily, being a Graphic Designer means I have the talent to advertise,” I chuckled softly as nerves fluttered like butterflies in my stomach. “Although being in the city, there’s such a wider net that I can reach. I’m freelance you see, so I rely on people that aren’t locked into the big companies which, when you’re from a small town, it’s not as easy as you would think. Anyone worth advertising for is already signed up to a marketing agency so I mostly rely on Instagram to find people.”
Sebastian’s drink arrived, a Gingerbread hot chocolate by the scent, and I paused my rambling until the barista had left. Sebastian didn’t speak, instead only raising one brow which I immediately took as encouragement to continue.
“There’s not as much money in freelancing, and I’ve considered joining a bigger team, but I think there’d be less freedom that way, y’know? I love the work and I get to be creative in a way that helps people. Small businesses and indie artists, that kind of thing. I like helping people and sure, my own art passion suffers a little, but I think, in its own way, Graphic design is art and I get to have mine seen worldwide.”
“And the Valentine’s?” Sebastian asked, finally breaking eye contact to glance down at my laptop, then back up as he drank.
“Oh, that’s a passion project, kind of. My town kind of goes crazy for Valentine’s Day. Weird, I suppose, if you’re from the city. Most people see it as just a day, one and done but it’s baked pretty deep into my town’s lore. It’s a small place that was founded by two star-crossed lovers who went through terrible hardship to be together. Without them, and the love they shared, there would be no town. So, every year we hold a festival that lasts a few weeks. There’s parties and decorations and so many flowers.” I paused, slightly breathless, and took a sip of my remaining coffee. “There’s a food market and stalls with knick-knacks and there’s a huge party on Valentine’s Day. People ask each other out with these special flowers, roses dipped in gold, and everyone sends flowers and gifts. There’s a lot of romance, a lot of love. Especially for families.”
“How quaint,” Sebastian said, and he smiled over the edge of his cup, crinkling the corner of his eyes. “If it’s tradition, why do you need to advertise?”
“Well, my best friend is in charge of floral decorations this year and tourist foot traffic is always slow at this time of year. So, I figure, we advertise a bit wider and try to attract more people, and at the same time, uhm, Lily can have more people see my talent as a florist. Two birds, y’know?”
“Savvy,” Sebastian smiled again and the flutters in my gut swelled.
How had I been talking for so long? With only two questions, I’d poured out my heart and talked his ear off for nearly twenty minutes, and yet he sat there looking utterly enthralled by every word. The warmth in my cheeks continued to flare now that silence had fallen but it didn’t last long.
“I’m impressed Your designs caught my eye as soon as I walked in here, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that we already know each other,” Sebastian said, lowering his cup. “And what you’re doing for your friend is admirable. The Marketing world is cutthroat, and here you are just trying to do the best by your friend.”
“She deserves it,” I replied honestly. “She’s a good person. Talented.”
“As are you.” There was a playful glint in Sebastian’s eyes, and I found myself smiling warmly.
“Thank you,” I said, much stronger than before. Something about Sebastian had me feeling a strong urge to please him, and his praise sent an unexpected curl of warmth through me. Not many people complimented my work outside of clients, so that was nice.
