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Ferry smirked. “Nah. I think you wanted him to survive. You wanted him to have his shot at happiness, even if you couldn’t admit it to yourself.”
I slid the last plate into the dishwasher before closing the machine. “No idea what you’re talking about.”
“That’s okay,” Ferry said, smiling. “I’m glad you’re back, Sebastian. I think you’re going to be surprised at how well you’ll fit in with everyone when you start to let them in.”
I stared at his departing back in confusion. It was one thing for Ferry and Leo to give me a chance, but I was still doubtful any of the others would. I was fairly certain I’d staked all of the demons at one point or another.
Shaking my head, I followed him out. Matty’s head snapped up when I entered, his lips twitching.
It still wasn’t a smile though. It was strange how…incomplete he looked without it.
“What are you two up to for the rest of the day?” Leo asked before sipping tea from his mug.
“Umm.” Matty’s eyes darted over to me as he bit his lip.
Crossing the room, I squeezed his shoulder. “I have a therapy appointment at four, but other than that I’m free. It’s Toby’s birthday this week. I was thinking of baking him a red velvet cake, but if I’m being honest, pancakes are kinda the extent of my cooking skills.”
“I can help,” Matty said excitedly. “Let me go check if I’ve got the ingredients.”
He shot off into the kitchen, cupboards clattering open and closed as he buzzed around in excitement.
Ferry was frowning at me in confusion. “Isn’t Toby’s birthday in the summer?”
I tensed, but understanding lit up Leo’s face. “Matty hasn’t baked since before you left.”
I inclined my head at him. “I know.”
Leo smiled, getting to his feet with a whistle. “Okay, I think we’re going to get out from under your feet.”
They did just that, almost knocking me over with shock when first Leo, then Ferry, grabbed me in a bracing hug.
I was still frozen to the spot when Matty burst back into the room, a whisk in one hand and a bowl in the other. For some inexplicable reason, he already had a smear of flour over his cheekbone. “Seb? Are you coming?”
Chapter 32
Matty
The next week passed like some kind of fever dream.
True to his word, Sebastian showed up every day. I’d taken to opening the front door as soon as I woke up, knowing I’d find him there even if it was hours before we’d arranged to meet.
I didn’t mind that he was early. Not only did I know he wouldn’t dream of knocking until the specified time, but I secretly loved that he was so keen to see me that he waited outside the door just to be closer to me.
Aside from his therapy appointments, he’d spend the whole day with me. We baked together, went on walks, and caught up on The Great British Bake Off. I’d started the series just before he…left, but never finished it. When I’d mentioned it, he’d insisted we start it from the beginning.
“I need to be able to judge them all properly,” he’d explained, grabbing the remote. “How can I pick a winner otherwise?”
Despite all the time we’d spent together during the day, I hadn’t invited him to stay the night. Leo and Ferry had made it clear that they didn’t mind if Sebastian slept over, but I wasn’t ready.
Don’t get me wrong, part of me yearned to have him in my bed again. Most of that part of me was south of my navel, but I was determined not to let my horniness dictate the speed I moved at.
Which was all well and good, but if Sebastian’s shirt kept lifting every time he reached up into my yarn cupboard, I wouldn’t be responsible for my own actions.
That little strip of pale skin had my mouth watering to lick it. I wanted to stick my tongue in the dimples of his back, maybe before sliding my tongue lower…
I hadn’t had nearly enough time to explore his body.
“Matty?”
