Page 6 of One Love

After a few minutes, I feel slightly less panicked. Sitting up, I find Sebastian staring at me with remorse and hurt. He didn’t mean for this to happen, I know, but I had a feeling it would, and he wouldn’t let me go.

I’m angry with myself more than anything and just transferring it on to him. He just wouldn’t give up, and I gave in too easily.

“Knock, knock.” Madison’s voice echoes through the office as she enters and cuts through the tension.

She looks at us, taking in how we sit across from each other with just a safe enough distance between us that, if you didn’t know any better, you’d think we are regular colleagues.

“Oh,” she says softly. “I’m sorry. Am I interrupting?”

“You’re not,” Sebastian grumbles with a little bite to his voice.

She looks from Sebastian to me, silently looking for confirmation.

“You’re not interrupting, Madison,” I answer.

“Okay, good. Because I have news.”

Sebastian stands from his seat, focusing his attention on his sister. “About what?”

“Veronica just called. She’ll be back in about an hour to discuss what she found out about the photos from last week.”

“Why didn’t she tell us before?” he snaps. “She was just fucking here.”

Madison shrugs. “She said the information just came in.”

“So have her call in and we can have a conference call. She doesn’t need to come back in. I don’t feel like dealing with her anymore today.” Sebastian groans.

“I know you don’t like her, but we need her. And, to answer your question, she said she didn’t feel comfortable discussing it over the phone. So, grab some coffee or lunch if you’d like, lovebirds, because it’s going to be a long day at the office today.”

“Madison,” he growls.

Ignoring her brother and turning toward me, she smirks. “I’m sorry, but I’ve been busting at the seams to say that since you said it was you in the picture.”

She moves backward toward the door, holding her hands up in defense until she reaches it and moves outside the office.

“One hour. Coffee. Lunch,” she calls while closing the door.

“Sometimes I don’t know how we share the same DNA,” he deadpans. I shake my head and hold in my chuckle as I use Madison’s interruption as an escape to go get that air I still desperately need.

Air.

Space.

Time.

Those will help the knots in my stomach and the urge to vomit.

Hopefully.

Maybe.