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"I still think you need to give yourself a pass. You've been through a lot."
"A lot of people have been through a lot." She sliced a hand through her hair.
"Let me know how I can help."
Something glinted in her eyes. "I have a few ideas."
TWENTY
FAITH
Painting outdoors turned out to be a bust.
Although it did bring me joy to sip my coffee on the back stone patio while the birds chatted, and Willow rolled around in the tall grass.
I'd woken up with a plan. I wasn't sure if it was a good plan, but I was willing to try. Sebastian had always been different from the men I'd gone out with before, but I couldn't stop thinking about him. Couldn't stop wondering if he thought of me as more than just his friend's sister.
If things went sideways, then I'd have to come up with a Plan B. Maybe rent an Airbnb like I originally intended because I sure as hell wouldn't be showing my face here if he rejected me.
Because tonight was the night I was going to seduce Sebastian Steele.
* * *
I gave up on painting and convinced Constance to drive me into town to pick up a few ingredients. I wanted to make something special under the guise of showing my thanks to Sebastian for letting me stay at his house. I certainly wasn't going to tell Constance the real reason for the evening.
"What's on your shopping list?" she asked as we loaded in her car.
I opened my notes app as Constance drove down the long driveway to the main road. "I need lasagna noodles, pasta sauce, pumpkin, ricotta, spinach, and basil. I also want to get a nice bottle of wine. Something special."
Constance put on the blinker. "You don't need to buy wine. Seb has plenty of nice bottles to choose from."
"But won't it be more special if I buy something for tonight? I mean, as a thank you."
"I know my son and I know he'd rather you not spend your own money."
"Even if I have my own?"
She laughed. "Even then."
"Fine. I'll remove that from the list."
"What about dessert?" she asked.
"I should probably pick something up. We can just see what they have in their bakery section."
"Hmm."
I homed in on that hmm. "Is that a bad hmm?"
"It would just make it extra special if you made the dessert yourself."
I set my phone down in my lap and grabbed my iced coffee. "I agree but I'm not sure I can get both done in time."
"Keep it simple. Besides, homemade is more romantic."
I choked on my drink.
"This is just a thank you dinner," I said in a rush.
