Page 45

The balcony overlooks a garden illuminated by strands of fairy lights. The evening carries the scent of blooming flowers. I take a deep breath, letting the tension ease from my shoulders.

“Better?” Sean asks, leaning against the stone railing.

“Much.” I smile at him. “Thank you for coming tonight. I know this isn't your idea of fun.”

He gives me a lopsided smile. “Like I said, the company isn't half bad.”

“Why, thank you.”

“I’m enjoying the night so far, really.” His eyes catch the light, turning them to liquid amber. “Watching you work a room is pretty impressive.”

“I'm just faking my way through.”

“That's not how it looks from where I'm standing.” He steps closer. “You're confident, smart, and everyone in that room knows it.”

Warmth spread through me. “Well, I've had practice.”

“And hilarious.”

“I wouldn't call myself funny.”

“That part is a little surprising to even me.”

I turn to him, hands on my hips. “Did you just call me uptight and boring? Wow, I’m offended.”

Sean throws his head back, laughing. A deep, rich and smooth sound like spiced liqueur. Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I watch him laugh, noting the way his eyes crinkle, the genuineness of his laughter. I’ve never seen him like that before. He looks… happy.

“I didn't say that. I just mean… you can be so strict and precise and ‘I-know-what-I-want-and-I-won’t-deviate-from-it’.”

I roll my eyes, chuckling. “Look who’s talking. Pot calling kettle black?”

“My job requires me to be tough.”

“I’ve never seen you smile before we started this whole thing.”

“That’s not quite right. I still have the picture from your twenty-second birthday. I remember smiling there.”

I gasp. “Oh my God. I remember that. You still have that picture?”

Sean grins.

“Somewhere in my room, I’m sure.”

“Well, that was the first time you smiled at me. And that was because Jen was making goofy faces while we took pictures.”

Sean shakes his head.

“That girl was so tipsy. I don't know how you two went out to party again.”

“The night was still young.”

“I guess the consequence was returning home with the worst hangover. Thank you for bringing her home once again.”

I laugh. “Not without her throwing up on my shoes first.”

“And we bumped into each other like five times trying to clean her up.”

Our laughter fades as our eyes hold, and I know he's thinking about that night the same way I am.The night which springs up at unbidden moments. That night that makes me wonder…