Page 82 of Brighter Shades of Light

“Don’t be sorry.” Sebastian smiled as he observed it. “I find it charming. Thank you.”

“You haven’t even opened it yet,” I said with a laugh. “So don’t thank me yet. You might hate it.”

“I could never hate anything you gave me.”

Fuck. Why did he have to say sweet things like that, making me all mushy and shit?

“Open yours first,” I said, feeling way too impatient. It had taken a good chunk of my savings to buy his gift, and it was still nothing extravagant.

Sebastian tore the paper and revealed a plain box underneath. He opened the lid and ruffled through it before stopping. His brow creased as he gently touched the clock.

“Cody, I…” He looked back at it. Speechless.

It was another mantle clock like the one he had on his desk, but it was a different style.

“I noticed all the clocks you have in your study, so I saw that one at the antique store downtown and thought you’d like it. I know it’s not fancy or—”

“It’s perfect,” he whispered, lifting his misty gaze to mine. “Thank you.”

I didn’t expect him to get emotional over it, but damn if it didn’t strike the center of my heart when he did.

After carefully placing the clock on the coffee table, Sebastian handed over the black box. It was small and reminded me of the ones used for engagement rings. I was the worst at hiding my thoughts, so Sebastian saw right through me.

“It’s not an engagement ring,” he said, smiling. “But I hope you still like it.”

When I opened the lid, I saw itwasa ring. I took it out and examined it, amazed. It was silver with gold outlining it, and in the center was some kind of fancy gold design that ran along the whole band. Upon a closer look, I noticed they were gears of different sizes, all connecting and giving the illusion of movement. It was beautiful.

“I wanted to create something unique for you,” Sebastian said nervously. “You love mechanics, and so I thought of the gears. There’s an engraving on the inside.”

I turned the ring between my fingers before looking at the engraving. My heart fucking stopped.

“You’re my spark, too. Always.”

Before I could stop them, tears streamed down my cheeks. He remembered what I had told him months ago.

“Let me.” He took the ring and slid it onto the middle finger of my right hand. It fit perfectly. Just like he did with me.

I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him, putting everything I felt into it. My desire, my worries, but most importantly, my love.

“Will you play for me?” I asked.

Sebastian lightly kissed me before standing up and walking over to the piano. I loved hearing him play. It was one of the few instances when his scientific brain shut off and he gave himself over to passion. He played ‘Carol of the Bells,’ and when I started singing, he smiled. The next song was ‘Jingle Bells,’ and his smile grew wider when I sang louder and very much off key.

I was happy and in love. And I was terrified of what would happen next. We had overcome one hurdle so far: him being my professor and breaking school policy. But we had more to come.

Being in the military and having a relationship was hard, from what I heard. Couples broke up and divorce rates were high. Not everyone could deal with the separation and the stress that came with it. The heart didn’t always grow fonder with distance; it did the opposite sometimes.

That’s a worry for tomorrow.

For today, I just wanted to love and be loved.

Chapter 21

Sebastian

Four Months Later

“Yes. I understand. Thank you.” I hung up the phone and sat back in my desk chair, my thumb gliding over my bottom lip.