Page 11 of Time After Time (Golden Sands #1)

“Gen!” My best friend’s mother enveloped me in a tight hug, swaying us from side to side.

“It’s so good to see you.” To anyone watching, it might seem like we hadn’t seen each other in ages, though it had only been a few days.

But that’s how close we all were, having known each other for a long time. “Will you be staying for breakfast?”

“We’re starving,” Sebastian groaned, his stomach growling loudly in agreement.

“Great,” Cora said, slipping her arm around me and guiding us into the house with a cheerful nudge. “Rob made enough breakfast to feed an army.”

Sebastian shot me an exaggerated eye roll before disappearing into the kitchen, no doubt planning to help Robert out.

Before we stepped inside, Cora proudly paused to show me the fresh coat of paint on the house’s exterior. “Stunning, right?”

“Yeah, it looks great,” I agreed, admiring the soft pink hue as it caught the light just right. It reminded me of the white and blue of my house, though Cora’s choice had a strange and inexplicable way of making you feel comforted, sometimes even sleepy. “What colour are the chairs going to be?”

“White,” she replied with a grin. “I want them to stand out against the pink of the porch.”

“I can’t wait to see how it turns out,” I said with a smile.

Her eyes lit up at my enthusiasm, and I couldn’t help but notice how much she resembled Sebastian as she beamed.

I had never met Sebastian’s father, but I was thankful he wasn’t around.

It always felt good to remind Sebastian that he took after his mother.

Although, Sebastian would point out that he got his hair and skin colour from his father, and I’d remind him that his eyes scrunched just like Cora’s when he smiled, making them look like twins in those moments.

He found comfort in that, especially since he hated the fact that so much of him came from the man who should have taught him how to be a good person.

Someone who protected and respected those around him.

Cora’s arm linked with mine as she led me into the house, a place I knew as well as Sebastian knew mine.

She led me to the kitchen, where a long wooden table was set with the flowers we’d bought from the market, adding a touch of colour to the spread.

The table was laden with a feast—cereal and milk, pancakes stacked high, crispy bacon, and eggs cooked to perfection.

The aroma and presentation were mouthwatering, causing my stomach to grumble even louder.

We dug in almost immediately, chatting between bites, and before long, the plates were nearly empty, the food vanishing as quickly as it had arrived.

“Hey, Rob,” Sebastian murmured, leaning back in his chair, one hand resting on his satisfied stomach.

His other arm draped casually over the back of my chair, and I couldn’t help but notice his fingers absent-mindedly brushing through the strands of hair that fell over my shoulders.

“Do you think it would be okay if Gen and I helped out at your restaurant for a weekend or something?”

Robert’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, clearly expecting more of an explanation. But Sebastian turned to me, a silent question in his eyes, not wanting to say more without my consent.

I looked at Robert as I spoke. “Seb and I are exploring some potential career paths for my future.” Sebastian’s fingertips continued their gentle motion against my shoulders, and I was fairly sure it was entirely unconscious. “We’re thinking of trying out different jobs.”

“We could help out as waitstaff,” Sebastian added, a hint of excitement in his voice. “But honestly, I’m more interested in shadowing you, seeing what it’s like to manage the place.” I hadn’t even considered that angle, but the idea sparked a new curiosity in me.

“Sure,” Rob said, his face lighting up as he leaned forward, a grin spreading across his face.

He took a quick sip of his orange juice.

“Having you two around would be fantastic. Extra help is always welcome, especially on weekends and during the summer with all the tourists. I’d be happy to walk you through what to consider when running your own business. ”

I turned in my chair and flashed Sebastian a wide smile.

But he was already looking at me, his eyes gleaming with excitement as a grin spread across his face. His hand rested on my bare shoulder, giving it a squeeze. The simple touch made me feel at ease, and I couldn’t help but return his smile, feeling it stretch across my face until my cheeks ached.

Cora chimed in with a curious tone, “Have you considered any other places?”

“Since Mr. Marley got injured, we’re planning to help Mrs. Marley on the farm for a few days,” I said. Cora’s eyes widened, and she looked at us with concern, prompting us to fill in the details.

“We’re also thinking about trying out other jobs,” her son added, giving me an encouraging nod. “But for now, we’re just making a list. We’ve got the whole summer ahead of us.”

Sebastian rose from the table, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Excuse us while I give this young lady a bike riding lesson,” he announced. I groaned theatrically, tilting my head back, which drew a series of amused chuckles from Rob and Cora.

“Is he still determined to teach you?” Rob asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He knew well that one of Sebastian’s ongoing missions was to get me riding a bike without training wheels.

“Yeah,” I sighed, rolling my eyes, which only made everyone laugh harder. “He just doesn’t get that I’m hopeless at it.”

I heard a scoff behind me and turned to find Sebastian watching me, a teasing glint in his eyes. “You’re not hopeless,” he said, his voice light and reassuring. “You’re just scared. And there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Of falling.”

His arm draped over my shoulders once more. “But that’s what makes getting back up even more thrilling.”

I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat, and managed to reply, “I’m ready to give it another try.” Sebastian’s grin widened as he gave my back a supportive pat. “But don’t let me go just yet, or I’ll start crying,” I half-joked.

His voice took on a serious edge as he leaned in closer, his breath gently brushing my ear. “I will never let go,” he whispered. “And don’t you let go of me, either.”